Agriculture and Rural Restructuring

This research theme explores the myriad of pressures faced by the agricultural sector in a time of flux and uncertainty. Key among these is the reform of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, and in particular the decoupling of support payments from productivist objectives towards broader agri-environmental goals. European producers have become increasingly exposed to market forces including growing participation in direct supply chain relationships, often controlled by retail interests.

Agriculture is also operating within global geopolitical dimensions such as the Doha round of global trade negotiations and ever greater resource competition. Socio-technological developments such as the adoption of GM technology and the move towards low carbon economies and other climate change adaption and mitigation strategies are also having an increasing impact on agriculture around the globe. In addition, there is a continuing broadening of economic activity in many traditionally agricultural areas and an increasing recognition of non-food forms of consumption of rural space.

At the micro level, farmers are being encouraged to deal with these shifts by becoming more entrepreneurial, innovating and 'business-like'. Policymakers are keen to understand and promote skill development and knowledge transfer among farming interests to promote the spread of good practice.

Research Projects: 

Equine Landscapes (Ongoing)

Research Fellowship: Farmers as Social Learners (Ongoing)