Identifying barriers and opportunities for transitions towards more sustainable agriculture through system analysis: the case of Vereda La Hoya, Colombia

Feola, G., Schoell, R. and Binder, C. R. (2010) Identifying barriers and opportunities for transitions towards more sustainable agriculture through system analysis: the case of Vereda La Hoya, Colombia. In: 9th European IFSA Symposium: Building sustainable rural futures, 4-7 July 2010, Vienna, Austria, pp. 1873-1883.

Abstract/Summary

The paper presents the results of studies which investigated farmers’ reasoning and behaviour with regards to the mis‐use of personal protective equipment and pesticide among smallholders in Colombia. First, the research approach is described. In particular, the structured mental models approach and the integrative agent‐centred framework are presented. These approaches permit to understand the farmers’ reasoning and behaviour in a system perspective. Second, the results are summarized. The methods adopted allowed not only for identifying the factors, but also the social dynamics influencing farmers. Finally, suggestions for interventions are provided, which are not limited to a technical fix, but address the underlying social causes of the problem.

Additional Information	Paper was presented as part of Theme 4.4 - Transitions towards sustainable agriculture: From farmers to agro-food systems
Item Type	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/24411
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Department of Geography and Environmental Science
Uncontrolled Keywords	pesticide use, personal protective equipment, sustainability transition, Structural Mental Model Approach, Integrative Agent‐Centred framework, Colombia
Additional Information	Paper was presented as part of Theme 4.4 - Transitions towards sustainable agriculture: From farmers to agro-food systems
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