systems approach

In this paper an iterative, step-based sustainable food system approach has been developed that help navigate complexity and is flexible in its required resources, thus enbaling a fast overview or a deep dive as determined by a project’s or organisation’s objectives. The goal of the approach is that together, the four components can help guide practitioners and decision-makers to describe, diagnose, and develop more coherent, effective, and context-appropriate interventions in food systems to improve their sustainability. »

This booklet provides the overall results of the HortIMPACT project and gives special attention to the lessons learnt during the implementation. Despite HortIMPACT’s impact, there is still need for greater systemic change in enhancing food safety and market access while reducing food losses, with climate change and limited water availability continuing to challenge food security.  »

This article examined the creation and maintenance of business relationships as well as challenges faced based on semi-structured interviews with farmers, brokers and traders.. Findings show how trust unfolds to mediate exchange relations that structure chain organisation. »

This working paper provides examples of ‘systems analysis’; describing the context, what was done, and how the outcomes informed broader research and development activities. Agricultural innovation systems (AIS) are complex, multi-layered, and can be difficult to define and analyse. »

This article analyses urban land take in cropland areas for the years 2000 and 2040, using a land systems approach. The results show that future urban expansion is primarily expected in areas that are also suitable and available for cropland, thus suggesting a continued competition for land between urban expansion and food production. »

This book on Routledge by Ingrid Oborn, Bernard Vanlauwe, Michael Phillips, Richard Thomas, Willemien Brooijmans and Kwesi Atta-Krah, describes different aspects of systems research in agriculture in its broadest sense, where the focus is moved from farming systems to livelihoods systems and institutional innovation. Much of the work represents outputs of three CGIAR Research Programs on Integrated Systems for the Humid Tropics, Aquatic Agricultural Systems and Dryland Systems. »