Karlheinz Knickel

Methodological and Conceptual Issues in the Study of Multifunctionality and Rural Development

Acareful analysis of the scale and depth of the more recent changes in rural areas reveals the contours of a new development trajectory. The key features of this trajectory are diversity and multifunctionality: diversity reflected in the actors involved, the particular activities undertaken and the patterns of motivation that emerge, and multifunctionality in the simultaneous and interrelated provision of different functions (Van der Ploeg et al. 2000). Researchers involved in rural development face a two-fold challenge. First, they must improve their understanding of multifunctionality and, second and more practically, they must acquire insights into the complex and interrelated processes that contribute to the development of rural areas. The aim of this article is to outline the complexity of those rural development processes that specifically relate to the phenomenon of multifunctionality. An attempt is made to structure the various patterns of multifunctionality found in the European countryside, and different levels of multifunctionality, key changes, linkages and influences have been identified. More specifically, an attempt is made to find adequate ways of unraveling and visualizing the complex interrelationships and changes involved in the rural development process. In addition, we have tried to improve our understanding of these interrelationships taking into account their spatial and temporal dimensions. Finally, we have tried to identify the data needed for a quantitative assessment of the changes taking place at the different levels of farm, farm household, other rural enterprises, region, multipliers, and substitution effects. In the discussion reference is made to several case studies from the impact research programme. 1

Towards a Better Conceptual Framework for Innovation Processes in Agriculture and Rural Development: From Linear Models to Systemic Approaches.

Abstract The role of farming previously dedicated mainly to food production changed with an increasing recognition of the multifunctionality of agriculture and rural areas. It seems obvious to expect that farmers and rural actors adapt themselves to these new conditions, which are innovative and redefine their job. In many regions farmers can increase their income basis as rural entrepreneurs, developing new services and exploring new markets. Often, however, there is a gap between the need for change and farmers’ willingness to adjust, and the insufficient capacities of innovation agencies and advisory services to effectively support changes. In this contribution we discuss the kinds of gaps between present societal demands, the related farm-level adjustments, and the capacities of innovation agencies and advisory services. We explore a conceptual framework that understands innovation processes as the outcome of collaborative networks where information is exchanged and learning processes happen. We argue that technical and economic factors used to analyse drivers and barriers alone are not sufficient to understand innovation processes. The related social and institutional aspects of cross-sector as well as intra-sector processes are explored. Overall, we emphasize that innovation functions as a process where farmers’ and rural entrepreneurs’ knowledge, motivations and values play an important role. We emphasize that institutions, administrations and extension services, whose mission it is to support changes, can become barriers to innovation if they do not acknowledge that the needs of farmers and of society have changed. The paper builds on the conceptual level work carried out in the on-going EU funded IN-SIGHT research programme with multidisciplinary teams from seven European countries.

The marketing of Rhöngold milk: an example of the reconfiguration of natural relations with agricultural production and consumption

As late as the first half of the 20th century, the moderately mountainous area of the Rhön has been considered as the Armenhaus (poor peoples home) of Germany. Relative poverty and even food scarcity have been quite common. Physical conditions for farming are very marginal due to a high altitude, light soils, a rather harsh climate and a short growing season. Until the late 1980s the rate of farm abandonment and the proportion of younger people leaving the area has been significantly higher than in most other rural areas in Germany. In the late 1980s and particularly in the course of the 1990s, however, the rather negative image has almost been reversed. The region is now seen in terms of providing a model of sustainable (rural) development. This paper examines the developments in society that have led to this re-evaluation of regional conditions. Reference is made to food quality, the reassessment of the use of natural resources, the perception of the quality of living conditions in rural areas and the idea of sustainability. It is concluded that agriculture and, more generally, the potential of rural areas, are no longer being evaluated in monofunctional terms, and that, as a result, more industrial forms of agricultural production have lost a substantial part of their credibility and prestige. In contrast, the more traditional, less intensive and more diversified forms of agriculture are now esteemed, because they tend to be better adapted to natural conditions and because of their more favourable linkages with an integrated development of rural areas. The final section of the paper examines the theoretical implications of the case study in terms of the reconstitution of nature-society relations. Reference is made to the redefinition of ‘production’, the rediscovery of the multifunctionality of agriculture, the interconnectedness in agricultural and rural development and the active construction of synergies at farm household, farm and regional level in rural development initiatives. Copyright

The Agri-Environmental Footprint Assessing the Agri-Environmental Performance of Farms in Participatory and Regionally Adaptive Ways

The monitoring and assessment of agri-environmental (AE) changes and impacts can help to reconcile different land use interests. This paper presents a common methodological framework for assessing changes and, related to that assessment, the effectiveness of AE schemes. The authors use a quantitative farm-level Agri-environmental Footprint Index (AFI), which aggregates the measurement of a range of farm and landscape-level indicators. The involvement of stakeholders is critically important in regionally customizing the index and its actual application. Such involvement raises the awareness of stakeholders about the multifunctionality of landscapes. This research builds on the results of the EU-funded AE-Footprint project.

Conclusion: Which perspectives for future research on multifunctionality of agriculture and rural areas?

This last paper aims to summarise reflexions made in the preceding papers of this Special Issue. We will first show the common conclusions of the different reviews on multifunctionality, and discuss the global state-of-the-art: multifuntionality does not yet appear as a very stabilised concept, and its scientific use suffers from confusions with political discourses. We suggest therefore that research should detach itself from multifunctionality as a political goal and should instead consider multifunctionality as a useful conceptual and analytical framework. In order to support this recommendation, directions for this analytical framework are sketched out, by referring to three main elements which appear in previous papers: functions and their interrelations, reembedding agriculture in society, and linking multifunctionality and sustainability. From this global picture, theoretical, methodological and empirical research gaps are identified. To conclude this paper, we suggest other inputs for research on multifunctionality, from other disciplines which deal with functionalism, and discuss the potential of this concept for rural development.

Empowerment of Regional Partnerships

Abstract Within the framework of the Regional Action-Rural Areas Shaping The Future Pilot Program launched by the German Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture (BMVEL) in 2001, integrated development concepts are being implemented in eighteen model regions. Trial-Testing a new bottom-up approach, policy-makers aim at achieving best-practice examples of sustainable rural development. The cooperation structures established in the regions are expressed mainly in the form of regional partnerships. The paper aims at giving an impression of their structures and roles, and illustrates the learning and democratization processes initiated by the program.

Evaluation of policies in terms of the multifunctionality of agriculture and rural space: more integrative conceptual and analytical frameworks needed

A status-quo analysis of the way the question of the multifunctionality of agriculture and of rural space is dealt with in policy evaluation is given. Focus is on conceptual frameworks, tools and methods. The paper builds on a review of policy evaluation practice and experiences in six different EU member states and of a summative review for Central and Eastern European countries (CEE). It is argued that European level evaluation procedures and guidelines that fully correspond with the concept of a multifunctional agriculture and rural space yet have to be developed. In terms of future research it is concluded that more holistic concepts need to be adopted, focussed on the potential of agriculture to fulfil new societal goals, to contribute to rural employment, to improve the viability of rural areas, particularly in less favoured areas. Quantitative tools must be linked in more effective ways with qualitative, discursive and consultative approaches.

Neuartige Wege des Handelns und Denkens

Innovationen sind fur die Anpassung der landlichen Wirtschaft an veranderte Rahmenbedingungen von besonderer Bedeutung. Die eigentlichen Innovationsprozesse entstehen dabei durch Kooperationen innerhalb von regionalen Netzwerken. Doch wie konnen solche Netzwerke zukunftig besser unterstutzt werden?