Territorial Governance. A Comparative Research of Local Agro-Food Systems in Mexico

Abstract

Abstract:The article attempts to provide a theoretical discussion on territorial governance by presenting both the neo-institutionalist position and the De Sousa Santos' alternative models, with a view of highlighting the dimensions that can be relevant to understanding the territorial dynamics of Local Agro-food Systems (LAFS). The paper aims to build up a system of indicators, structured in four dimensions, concerning the territorial governance of LAFS: (i) multi-level coordination; (ii) democratic participation and accountability; (iii) cooperation among producers and other stakeholders and (iv) relationships with the environment. We verify, as a hypothesis, that the typology of markets to which the identity-based products are directed plays a decisive role in the way that processes of territorial governance of LAFS are constructed. The results of an empirical research, developed in four LAFS in Mexico, are presented: prickly pear cactus in Morelos, blackberry in Michoacán, cuitlacoche (corn smut) in Tlaxcala and coffee in Veracruz. Two types of territorial governance of LAFS may be distinguished: those that can be strengthened by the geographical and organisational proximity of the markets and the action of local stakeholders and governments-prickly pear cactus and cuitlacoche-versus those which are devoted to export and are conducted by large companies in which marketing networks involve certification mechanisms and a large number of institutions-coffee and blackberry.

Place-Based Pathways to Sustainability: Exploring Alignment between Geographical Indications and the Concept of Agroecology Territories in Wales

“…Geographical agri-food scholarship and regional studies have seen a renewed focus on the "territory" as the scale at which transitions to sustainability are made possible [1][2][3][4]. A territorial approach affords investigation into "alternative" agri-food systems that embrace multiple types and scales of social, ecological and economic relations, and if "considered as a whole they can redirect entire territorial systems as regards the quality of food" [5] (p. 640).…”

Designation of Origin Distillates in Mexico: Value Chains and Territorial Development

“…In recent years, a group of researchers has highlighted the importance of the construction of short chains as a strategy for rural, local and territorial development based on consumer demand for local food items that are traditional, healthy, organic, fresh and seasonal [33]. Relevant work on this topic can be found in [4][5][6][7][8] among others. Therefore, these chains can promote production and consumption alternatives in the face of hegemonic proposals through direct forms of monetary and non-monetary exchanges that go beyond the exchange of merchandise [34].…”

“…Recently, debate has emerged around long and short value chains and their implications for territorial development, especially when it comes to agrifood products, the sector to which many DOs around the globe belong [4][5][6][7][8].…”

El centro de acopio Sareko: aprendizajes para la gobernanza de las redes agroalimentarias alternativas en un salto de escala

“…El término gobernanza es conceptualizado como forma de gobierno que tiene que ver con el proceso de toma de decisiones descentralizado, donde múltiples agentes se coordinan para la gestión y manejo colectivo de recursos y presentan múltiples interacciones y acuerdos mutuos (Torres-Salcido y Sanz-Cañada, 2018). Es necesario aclarar que el estudio de la gobernanza alimentaria ha desplegado múltiples facetas, pero entendemos que el pluralismo analítico es crucial para el desarrollo de formas de intervención más diversificadas, que puedan promover creatividad y reflexión profunda.…”