Will Brexit Impact on the Social Contributions Made by Agriculture?

Abstract

The concept of social capital in economic theory. ЕКОНОМИКА, 61(1): 73-84. J J European Commission (2017). Modernising and Simplifying the CAP: Background Document -Socio-economic challenges facing EU agriculture and rural areas. DG-Agriculture and Rural Development. (EC: Brussels).

Social dimensions of multifunctional agriculture in Europe - towards an interdisciplinary framework

“…Another eight contributions concern larger regions or whole countries without these being framed as 'case studies': Sicily in Foti et al (2013), Wales in Hill andBradley (2019), Portugal in Pinto-Correia andBreman (2009), the Czech Republic in Hudcová et al (2018), Italy and Poland in Kummitha et al (2018), Cyprus in Ragkos and Theodoridis (2016), the UK in Marsden and Sonnino (2008) and Norway in Bjørkhaug and Richards (2008). Here, literature reviews and document analysis are the dominant sources used for the generation of insights, whereby interviews or statistical data are referred to in a complementary way.…”

“…Rooted in sociology and political science, social capital refers to the capacity of communities or groups of people to act collectively. Hill and Bradley (2019), who explicitly frame social functions of agriculture as agriculture's role in generating social capital, assume that social capital constitutes positive (social) externalities (Hill & Bradley, 2019, p. 6) and point at its beneficial role for the provision of public goods. The authors first explore different aspects of social capital highlighted in the literature (e.g.…”

“…'socio-economic spill over effects' as a public good in their analysis of the impact of geographical indications, Gullino et al (2018) include 'rural farm networking' as a criteria for social sustainability, and Granvik et al (2012, p. 163) point to 'synergies' that occur if rural entrepreneurs can build on agricultural resources and associated values. Beyond that, it is emphasised in different contexts that farmers tend to be especially well connected among each other, thus supporting the collective management of resources (Hill & Bradley, 2019).…”

“…Like strengthening of community cohesion (below), a certain territorial identity is assumed to be an important element of well-functioning (rural) communities. This function refers to agriculture's role in supporting a territory specific 'sense of belonging' (Hill & Bradley, 2019;Mantino & Vanni, 2018). Through a combination of territory specific landscapes, shaped by agricultural practices and production, the presence of territory specific food products or festivities and customs rooted in the territory specific (historical) agricultural system, not only is cultural heritage preserved (see below), but territorial identity is also found to be strengthened (Donkers, 2008;Ragkos & Theodoridis, 2016).…”

Coping with Risks from Natural Disasters on Farms in Wales – Does Insurance Have a Role?

“…International experience, reviewed in Agra CEAS Consulting (2018), establishes that farmers, if they are to survive in the face of extreme weather, may also need access to credit and business advice, diversification training, skills development and social and psychological backup to counter emotional strains on the farm household. At such times the benefits brought by strong social networks and mutual support become evident (see Hill and Bradley, 2019).…”