Small farms, small food businesses and sustainable food security

2016

COMISION DE LAS COMUNIDADES EUROPEA

I+D COLAB. COMPETITIVA

Ortiz Miranda Dionisio

SALSA is a H2020 project that will assess the role of small farms and small food businesses in delivering a sustainable and securce supply of affordable, nutritious and culturaly adequate food. SALSA will identify the mechanisms which, at different scales, can strengthen the role of small farms in food systems and thereby support sustainable food and nutrition security (FNS). By considering a gradient of 30 reference regions in Europa and in Africa, we will obtain a diferentiated understanding ofthe role of small farms and small food business in very differently structured food systetns and situations. SALSA wi11 elaborate and implement a transdisciplinary, multi-scale approach that builds on and connects relevant theoretical and analytical franmeworks within a food systems approach, and that uses qualitative, consultative and quantitative methods. We will also test a new combination of data-based methods and tools (including satellite technologies) for rigorously assessing in quantitative terms the interrelationships between small farms, other small food businesses and FNS, paying particular attention to liiniting and enabling factors. SALSA will use participatory methods, at regional level, and establish a more global Community of Practice and multistakcholder learning platfofm, based on FAO's TECA online communication and learning platform.