A1 Journal article (refereed)
The resilience of Finnish farms : Exploring the interplay between agency and structure (2020)
Kuhmonen, I. (2020). The resilience of Finnish farms : Exploring the interplay between agency and structure. Journal of Rural Studies, 80, 360-371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2020.10.012
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Kuhmonen, Irene
Journal or series: Journal of Rural Studies
ISSN: 0743-0167
eISSN: 1873-1392
Publication year: 2020
Volume: 80
Pages range: 360-371
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2020.10.012
Publication open access: Not open
Publication channel open access:
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/73641
Abstract
Resilience implies, in its essence, the capacity of a system to tolerate disturbances while retaining its essential functions. In the context of agriculture, resilience thinking calls for considering the ability of farms to thrive in turbulent times along with the ability of the ecological system – in which the agricultural production is embedded – to retain its function and integrity. Resilience is a relevant conceptual tool to analyse the contradictory management demands that farms are facing within the current neoliberal market regime: being economically viable and environmentally sustainable. In this study, the resilience of farms was operationalised through farmers' perceptions concerning their farms' development trajectories in these two dimensions. The operationalisation strategy applied to farm survey data from Finland suggested that the majority of Finnish farms were vulnerable in either or both of these dimensions. The resilient farms were characterised by large size, development orientation, possession of social capital and adoption of targeted agri-environmental measures. The agrifood system was characterised by increasing level of centralisation and connectedness affecting all systemic levels, including the farm systems. Resilience can be seen as a manifestation of a self-reinforcing virtuous cycle, in which both the farm structure and the farmer's agency are well aligned with the contemporary context, whereas vulnerability is the result of a similar, but vicious cycle.
Keywords: resilience; human agency; farms; farm economy; sustainable agriculture; food systems
Free keywords: adaptive renewal cycle; agency-structure; agrifood system; farm system; resilience
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2020
JUFO rating: 2