Akzeptanz von Nachhaltigkeitsinnovationen im Lebensmittelbereich – das Untersuchungsdesign

The acceptance study is part of ginkoo, an innovation group project for sustainable land use (FONA, BMBF). A central concern is the externalisation of environmental and social costs in food production systems due to increased efficiency and intensive agriculture. The ginkoo case study “Naturland” deals with ethic aspects in animal production, the valorisation of agrobiodiversity and new financial models. By using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, the study will develop strategies and measures that should improve the acceptance of sustainability innovations by consumers. They will be tested, evaluated and validated directly by applying them to concrete innovation processes. The aggregate level addresses the conversion to transferable strategies and measures for similar innovation processes in the agri-food sector

Einstellungen zu ethischen Aspekten in der Geflügelhaltung

Nowadays, the killing of day-old chicks is a widely discussed issue in science, poultry keeping, politics, and public. There are practical and scientific efforts to investigate and test alternative solutions to avoid such killing. Most of the research deals with technical aspects of in-ovo sex determination and breeding of dual-purpose chickens. However, there is very little research on consumers´ knowledge and preferences. This article aims to fill this research gap. In spring 2016, a quantitative survey (n=1000) with consumers from the German Federal states of Berlin and Brandenburg was - -known, about dual-purpose chickens as an alternative solution. After interviewers gave would appreciate further information. In conclusion, consumers would promote dualpurpose chicken initiatives if the issue was communicated comprehensibly

Regional Poverty and Population Response:A Comparison of Three Regions in the United States and Germany

In this paper, we examine poverty in three regions in the United States and Germany and discuss its causes and demographic consequences. The three regions are those with the highest rates of poverty in the two countries: the Mississippi Delta and Texas Borderland in the United States and the Northeastern Border Region in Germany. We show that standard models to explain poverty need to be placed in the historical legacies of the three regions in order to understand their current levels of poverty. While our results show many common factors for poverty in the three regions, they also point to important differences. Similarly, we identify differences among the regions in their demographic responses to poverty, in part reflecting their different historical legacies. Thus, one implication of the paper is the importance of place-based poverty-mitigation strategies for successful policy planning.In this paper, we examine poverty in three regions in the United States and Germany and discuss its causes and demographic consequences. The three regions are those with the highest rates of poverty in the two countries: the Mississippi Delta and Texas Borderland in the United States and the Northeastern Border Region in Germany. We show that standard models to explain poverty need to be placed in the historical legacies of the three regions in order to understand their current levels of poverty. While our results show many common factors for poverty in the three regions, they also point to important differences. Similarly, we identify differences among the regions in their demographic responses to poverty, in part reflecting their different historical legacies. Thus, one implication of the paper is the importance of place-based poverty-mitigation strategies for successful policy planning

Micro-level practices to adapt to climate change for African small-scale farmers:

This paper discusses micro-level practices for adapting to climate change that are available to small-scale farmers in Africa. The analysis is based on a review of 17 studies about practices that boost small-scale farmers' resilience or reduce their vulnerability to observed or expected changes in climate; it includes data from more than 16 countries in Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The review shows that African smallholders are already using a wide variety of creative practices to deal with climate risks; these can be further adjusted to the challenge of climate change by planned adaptation programs. We found 104 different practices relevant to climate change adaptation and organized them in five categories: farm management and technology; farm financial management; diversification on and beyond the farm; government interventions in infrastructure, health, and risk reduction; and knowledge management, networks, and governance. We conclude that adaptation policies should complement farmers' autonomous response to climate change through the development of new drought-resistant varieties and improved weather forecasts, the provision of financial services, improvement of rural transportation infrastructure, investments in public healthcare and public welfare programs, and policies that improve local governance and coordinate donor activities.Climate change, adaptation practices, content analysis, Small-scale farmers, climate risks, Farm management, diversification, risk reduction, government interventions, public welfare programs

Alternative = transformative? Investigating drivers of transformation in alternative food networks in Germany

In the hope for more sustainable agriculture and a stronger connection to their food, an increasing number of consumers participate in alternative food networks (AFNs) characterised by short food supply chains. However, it cannot be assumed that AFNs inherently transform the prevailing system and its respective practices around food. Thus, we apply a social innovation perspective to enable a comprehensive analysis of changed values, social practices and relations in AFNs. This article presents whether drivers of transformation occur in three different AFN models (Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), food co‐operatives (food co‐ops) and self‐harvest gardens) and how participants describe and perceive them in each model. Therefore, we conducted interviews with AFN producers and consumers, before applying qualitative content analysis. Interviewees describe a broad variety of transformed values, practices and relations: Especially CSA and food co‐ops bear transformative potential as their members report a strong reconnection of producers and consumers expressed through social interaction and community‐building. Self‐harvest gardeners predominantly seek individual capacity building and to have access to their own garden. We conclude that AFN participation fosters incremental transformation towards more sustainable practices around food and a respective value system, which can be a part of a bigger movement aimed at food system transformation.Federal Ministry of Education and Research http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100002347Peer Reviewe

Micro-level Practices to Adapt to Climate Change for African Small-scale Farmers

This paper discusses micro-level practices for adapting to climate change that are available to small-scale farmers in Africa. The analysis is based on a review of 17 studies about practices that boost small-scale farmers¿ resilience or reduce their vulnerability to observed or expected changes in climate; it includes data from more than 16 countries in Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The review shows that African smallholders are already using a wide variety of creative practices to deal with climate risks; these can be further adjusted to the challenge of climate change by planned adaptation programs. We found 104 different practices relevant to climate change adaptation and organized them in five categories: farm management and technology; farm financial management; diversification on and beyond the farm; government interventions in infrastructure, health, and risk reduction; and knowledge management, networks, and governance. We conclude that adaptation policies should complement farmers¿ autonomous response to climate change through the development of new drought-resistant varieties and improved weather forecasts, the provision of financial services, improvement of rural transportation infrastructure, investments in public healthcare and public welfare programs, and policies that improve local governance and coordinate donor activities.JRC.DG.J.5-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

Veränderungen der Lebenslagen von Dorfbewohnern im erwerbsfähigen Alter in den neuen Bundesländern

"Mit der Vereinigung der beiden deutschen Staaten am 3. Oktober 1990 wandelten sich die Lebens- und Handlungsbedingungen für die Menschen aus der DDR radikal. Diese veränderten Lebensbedingungen betreffen sowohl alle Lebensbereiche als auch jeden Menschen in den neuen Bundesländern. Dabei ist aber der Grad der persönlichen Betroffenheit unterschiedlich. Die Lebenslage des Einzelnen wird wesentlich durch seine Stellung im Erwerbssystem bestimmt. Einkommen, Einfluß, der Grad sozialer Sicherheit, individuelle Autonomieräume, Lebensbedingungen verschiedener Art und daraus resultierende soziale Differenzierungen in den Dörfern hängen stark von der Stellung zum und im Erwerbsarbeitssystem ab (in Anlehnung an Bolte, 1990). Im folgenden wollen wir uns auf eine bestimmte sozialstrukturelle Gruppe, die Menschen im erwerbsfähigen Alter (in unserem sample die 18- bis 64jährigen), in vier ausgewählten Dörfern der neuen Bundesländer konzentrieren. Schon diese Gruppe ist in sich nach verschiedenen sozial relevanten Kriterien sehr heterogen strukturiert. Zunächst sollen die Veränderungen in der Erwerbsbeteiligung und Erwerbsneigung diskutiert werden. Dabei wird besonders auf die nach 1989 sozialstrukturell neue Gruppe der Vorruheständler eingegangen. Des weiteren wird herausgearbeitet, wie sich die Gruppe der Erwerbstätigen strukturiert, an welchen Kriterien sich Ausgrenzungen und Marginalisierungen am Arbeitsmarkt zeigen und welche Auswirkungen auf die individuellen Lebenslagen sowohl objektiv als auch in der Wahrnehmung damit verbunden sind. Bei dieser Betrachtungsweise sind die Fragen, wer erwerbstätig geblieben ist, wer arbeitslos wurde und wer arbeitslos geblieben ist, bedeutend. Neben allgemein bekannten Arbeitsmarktrisiken werden vor allem auch dorfspezifische Faktoren diskutiert." (Autorenreferat

A New Framework for Innovation-Based Regional Development

To foster sustainable regional development, many regions rely on innovations. To safeguard the generation of innovations and their market introduction, companies have increasingly used technology roadmapping and open innovation. The project INNOrural (Innovations for sustainable rural development) expanded these concepts by applying them to regions. This led to the rise of the “Regional Open Innovation Roadmapping” framework for innovation-based regional development (ROIR). This framework was tested by conducting two innovation roadmapping processes in the model region of Märkisch-Oderland (MOL), Germany: the certification of regional wood fuel and the establishment of a competence center for precision farming technology. Both innovation ideas were selected during the roadmapping process by applying a sustainability assessment. After 12 months, two complete roadmaps were ready for implementation. Key principles of ROIR were identified, including the use of a clear and replicable sustainability assessment method, the involvement of all relevant stakeholder groups in the early process and the cooperation between regional and subject experts. Generally, the broader adaptation of ROIR for additional regions will be useful. Nevertheless, the ROIR processes need to be evaluated in depth to develop a better understanding and to provide evidence of the benefits and limitations of this approach

Die landwirtschaftlichen Produktionspotentiale Polens: eine Bewertung aus dem Blickwinkel einer zukünftigen EU-Mitgliedschaft

Based on the analysis of the special features of the agricultural sector in Poland in comparison to the other transitional countries, the transformation processes and their influences on the regional structure are to be examined. If the decisive factors (natural potential, company sizes, environment and historical conditions) are given consideration, then a belt of 100 km in width to the West of Warsaw will be the future core zone of Polish agriculture. The structurally weak regions in the Eastern and South-eastern Voivodes will be problematic for the Polish agricultural concept, as here, in view of the coincidence of various negative factors, agriculture tends to be purely a substinence economy. Also, resulting from the lack of further regional development possibilities, the problems of depopulation and impoverishment of expansive rural regions must be feared. On the other hand, there is the real chance of the recognised core zone of the agricultural production achieving considerable exports to Western countries after Poland has joined the EU