Eighteenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

Farmers and rural communities are on the front line of most climate disasters worldwide, and climate change has already reduced agricultural production in many places. There is consequently an urgent need to identify the factors that contribute to the resilience of these food systems. This study focuses on the preservation of the blackcurrant industry in Burgundy Franche-Comté (‘Acteurs du Cassis’) and on resilience, particularly in its agri-food dimension. Thus, it studies the issue of securing production volumes and organoleptic quality in the face of climate change, and the development of innovative agro-ecological practices through this association. The pilot project of the ‘Acteurs du Cassis’ (bringing together farmers, processors and researchers) can serve as an example to other agricultural sectors. The study is in the business discipline. We conducted a qualitative study with 16 actors. A questionnaire was administered to each of the interviewees. The analysis was carried out according to academic recommendations for case studies. We found that the collaboration of the different professional groups within their small community is an effective way to find solutions to problems. There remains the question of funding, currently provided by public bodies for a few years, which is essential for the sustainability of this project.