Interactions between Niche and Regime: An Analysis of Learning and Innovation Networks for Sustainable Agriculture across Europe

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to reveal, and contribute to an understanding of, the processes that connect learning and innovation networks in sustainable agriculture to elements of the mainstream agricultural regime. Drawing on the innovations and transition literature, the paper frames the analysis around niche-regime interaction using the notion of niche-regime compatibility.

Design/Methodology/Approach: 17 Learning and Innovation Networks for Sustainable Agriculture (LINSA) engaged in agricultural food production, non-food and rural development were analyzed. In line with the project's transdisciplinary approach data were collected in a series of participatory workshops.

Findings: Five modes of LINSA-regime interaction are distinguished based on compatibility. The level of LINSA-regime compatibility influences the extent of the diffusion of LINSA ideas and practices into the regime. However, interaction processes within these modes reveal multiple and diverse connections between LINSA and regime entities suggesting a more complex relationship exists.

Practical implications: A range of connecting processes and activities (for example, certification, exemption from regulation, facilitation of networking) can bring about effective LINSA-regime interaction and could be externally supported.

Originality/Value: Empirical evidence from 17 case studies provides valuable insights from a number of different contexts across Europe. By directing analysis of interaction at the level of LINSA (niche project), rather than at the macro level, the study offers an original perspective. It suggests that the transition to sustainable agriculture might be understood as a complex of interactive processes leading to a series of adaptive changes, rather than as regime change.     

译前准备对交替传译质量的影响

该文为一篇口译实践报告,笔者通过参加以色列专家宁夏行——农牧组的翻译工作,学到很多关于农业方面的知识,尤其是节水灌溉、有机农业、以及设施农业。同时也充分认识到,要做好口译工作需要充分的译前准备以及适当的临场应变策略。在本篇报告中,笔者试图通过分析其在此次工作当中的翻译实例,说明充分的译前准备对翻译的质量有积极影响,而译前准备不足对翻译质量有消极影响,并向读者说明如何科学合理地进行译前准备工作,以及在准备不充分的时候如何快速地进行临场应变。并且通过案例分析,让读者更加直观地理解译前准备的作用,以及临场应变能力的重要性。希望本篇实践报告能对译员进行此类翻译活动有一定的帮助。     

从“粤西游日记”看明末广西的农业农村和农民

徐霞客游历广西的时间是他全部旅行时间的三十分之一,期间写下的《粤西游日记》约占《徐霞客游记》篇幅三分之一。如此丰厚的文字内容,生动地展现了广西的自然风貌,也详实地反映了明末广西社会人文风情。文章以《粤西游日记》为主要研究对象,对其中折射出来的明代末期广西的农业、农民、农村状况及相关信息作了系统梳理,从历史学、人类学的视角对《徐霞客游记》进行了局部审视。     

都市农业的区位分析

作为一种崭新的农业形态,都市农业于20世纪上半叶率先出现于欧洲及美、日等发达地区和国家。通过系统整理国内外都市农业研究文献,对都市农业的内涵、功能、特征进行了概念上的描述。定义都市农业为在都市化地区,利用田园景观,自然生态及环境资源,结合农业生产和经营活动及农村文化,为人们生产、生活提供空间的大农业。对于都市农业的区位选择问题,利用杜能的农业区位理论对都市农业的产业带区位选择进行了较深入的分析,同时对我国都市农业的产生及发展和都市农业的布局进行了分析。     

智能温室的设计

本文介绍用于营造人工环境、生产绿色无公害植物的智能温室。较系统地阐述了自动化温室的结构设计，控制系统的软、硬件设计及实现。     

Results of an assessment to identify potential barriers to sustainable agriculture on American Indian reservations in the Western United States

Purpose: This paper reports the results of survey research conducted with tribal producers between 2011 and 2012 on 19 of the largest American Indian reservations in Idaho, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington. The purpose of the research was to identify potential barriers to sustainable agriculture on reservation lands. This article reports the results of this research in an effort to promote Extension professionals' understanding of these barriers, which may help to improve outreach programs on American Indian reservations. Understanding the obstacles to sustaining agriculture that American Indian tribes face may inform international agricultural outreach efforts to increase food security targeting indigenous and tribal peoples worldwide.

Design/Methodology/Approach: American Indian agricultural producers comprised the study group. Study objectives included: (1) identify agricultural and natural resource issues of greatest concern to a self-selected sample of tribal agricultural producers on reservation lands; (2) evaluate access to Extension and other US Department of Agriculture outreach and assistance programs; and (3) evaluate the quality of these programs in terms of their relativity to tribal needs.

Findings: Study results indicate that tribal agricultural producers surveyed ranked 29 of 39 agricultural and natural resource issues as a concern. Similarly, they rated access to and quality of outreach programs as fair. Further, tribal producers operating on reservation trust land rated issues more severely than did tribal producers operating on fee simple lands.

Practical Implications: Results of this research will help Extension and other outreach professionals to understand the barriers indigenous and tribal peoples face in sustaining agricultural operations, particularly tribal groups living on federally reserved trust lands, such as American Indians. An increased understanding can inform agricultural policy-makers and outreach professionals in improving programs designed to increase agricultural sustainability, improve food security, enhance economic well-being and improve quality of life of indigenous and tribal peoples worldwide.

Originality/Value: This research provides important information to agricultural policy-makers and Extension professionals striving to sustain agricultural productivity and enhance food security with indigenous and tribal peoples.     

中国农业文化遗产研究与保护实践的主要进展

中国农业文明历史悠久,农民们在长期生产实践过程中一直在寻求适应不同自然条件的生产方式,创造了灿烂的农业文化遗产。发端于20世纪初,以农业考古、农业历史、传统农业哲学及农业民俗学等为主要内容的农业遗产研究,为农业文化遗产研究奠定了基础。2005年以"青田稻鱼共生系统"被FAO列为首批GIAHS保护试点为标志的新时期农业文化遗产研究与保护实践探索,正体现出多学科合作、理论研究与实践探索并重、保护与发展协调的特征。本文从古籍整理与考古研究、概念与内涵研究、系统结构与作用机制研究、多功能性与生态系统服务研究等角度介绍了农业文化遗产的基础性研究进展,从动态保护途径研究、法律与政策保障研究和保护与发展实践探索等方面总结了近几年开展的工作与取得的成效。并在此基础上,提出了农业文化遗产研究与保护实践中应当注意的问题,包括:进一步丰富研究内容,重视典型传统生态农业模式的机理性、定量化研究;从多学科与跨学科的角度研究农业文化遗产;加快开展农业文化遗产的普查与价值挖掘工作;重视农业文化遗产的创新、发展及可持续利用;重视农业生物多样性与农业文化多样性两个方面的保护,在做好"两个保护"的前提下,促进地区的发展和农民生活水平的提高,并为现代农业发展提供支持;避免"原汁原味"的"冷冻式"保护和"大拆大建"的"破坏性"开发两种错误倾向;逐步建立农业文化遗产保护的多方参与机制,包括政府的主导作用,社区的积极参与,科技的有力支撑,企业的有效介入,媒体的跟踪宣传;使农业文化遗产地成为开展科学研究的平台,展示传统农业文明的窗口,生态-文化型农产品的生产基地,农业文化旅游的目的地。     

四川农业产业化龙头企业发展对策研究

本文阐述了四川省农业产业化经营的现状,作出了四川农业产业化经营处于起步阶段的基本判断;分析了全省农业产业化经营龙头企业的类型、经营机制和存在的主要问题及制约因素;根据四川实际,提出了推进农业产业化龙头企业发展的对策措施。     

北方农牧交错带东段草地退化与水土流失

论述了生态系统管理、草场退化、土地退化和水土流失的国内外研究进展,提出了北方农牧交错带东段现存的生态问题和急需开展的研究项目。     

农业科研院所科技创新评价体系的构建

构建农业科研院所科技创新评价体系的目的在于准确评估院所科技创新能力,促进科技资源的优化配置,推进院所的科技事业持续健康发展,本研究选取与公益类科研院所科技创新密切相关的典型指标,建立量化比较的考评指标体系,并以广东省农业科学院院属各单位科技创新考评为案例验证了其科学合理性,期望能够给科技创新评价体系构建提供参考。