A1 Journal article (refereed)
Farming on the margins : Just transition and the resilience of peripheral farms (2022)

Kuhmonen, I., & Siltaoja, M. (2022). Farming on the margins : Just transition and the resilience of peripheral farms. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 43, 343-357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2022.04.011

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kuhmonen, Irene; Siltaoja, Marjo

Journal or series: Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions

ISSN: 2210-4224

eISSN: 2210-4232

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 29/04/2022

Volume: 43

Pages range: 343-357

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: Netherlands

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2022.04.011

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/80907

Abstract

Sustainability transition demands fundamental changes taking place at the farm system level. At the same time, many farms are operating on the verge of financial profitability, especially in geographically disadvantaged peripheral regions with a limited range of production opportunities. These observations raise concerns about the transition's justice aspects. Using the concept of resilience, we analysed farmers’ capacities for transformation in a peripheral context in Finland. The results from our farmer survey (n = 577) indicated that the regime exerts a strong cost-price squeeze on farmers, escaping of which is difficult also for farmers deliberately seeking new pathways beyond it. Due to farmers’ dependence on the regime, drastic changes to ‘the rules of the game’ could undermine their resilience. We argue that for transition processes to be both sustainable and just, proactive restorative justice should aim at promoting resilience at the farm level by deliberately building inclusive and accessible transition pathways.

Keywords: food systems; sustainable agriculture; agricultural policy; social justice; peripheries; resilience; restorative justice

Free keywords: food system; just sustainability transition; peripheries; resilience; restorative justice; transformative capacities

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1