TRANSITIONS TOWARD SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD CHAINS AND PERI-URBAN AREAS (HB 2009) Hardcover

Agriculture is undergoing rapid transformation, with its biggest challenge being the achievement of sustainability across economic viability (profit), social well-being (people), and environmental responsibility (planet). This is particularly evident in highly urbanized nations like the Netherlands, where agriculture faces high land costs, increasing consumer concerns about animal welfare and environmental impacts, alongside new demands from urban areas for recreation, healthcare, and locally sourced food. These societal shifts are compelling agriculture to evolve. The Dutch government, farmers, the agri-food industry, and retailers are actively seeking solutions and new governance models to address this challenge. The Dutch government has initiated a 'transition towards sustainable agriculture' and is supporting this with research and education policies. Similar trends are emerging in other countries. This book compiles the knowledge gained from at least five years of Dutch research in this area. Its purpose is to gather experimental results, analyze the lessons learned, compare them with existing theories, and disseminate them to a wider audience to promote understanding of this transition process. Considering the Netherlands' prominent role in global agriculture within a highly urbanized context, and its leadership in transition theory research, this book should be of considerable interest to students and researchers studying agricultural transitions, including those in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, facing their own unique agricultural challenges.