Governance and Livelihood
We research governance and livelihoods in sustainable food systems in different contexts, from the Dutch and European contexts to tropical livestock systems in for example Indonesia and Ethiopia. We explore how policy incentives, certification schemes, and value chains shape transitions towards more just and sustainable livestock farming systems
We work on farming systems governance by studying topics such as sustainability transition, polycentric governance (e.g. coherence of public and private sustainability incentives), food systems justice, and sustainable value chains. We apply a wide range of methods including interviews, focus groups, policy analysis as well as serious games and socio-economic analysis. These help us to better understand the challenges of farmers and other supply chain actors in sustainable food systems transformation.
Research topics
- Sustainability certification and standards
- Just food systems transition
- Sustainability indicators
- Sustainable value chains
Our projects
Exploring socio-cultural values in agricultural systems transformations
PhD project by Rianne van Zandbrink. The main focus in the current agricultural system is on what is visible, including key performance indicators, technical solutions and changes in management. However, transformations towards a more sustainable agricultural system requires more. The aim is to study which socio-cultural values are more strongly articulated than others, and how that has an effect on transformations of the agricultural system
Exploring socio-cultural values in agricultural systems transformations
PhD project by Rianne van Zandbrink. The main focus in the current agricultural system is on what is visible, including key performance indicators, technical solutions and changes in management. However, transformations towards a more sustainable agricultural system requires more. The aim is to study which socio-cultural values are more strongly articulated than others, and how that has an effect on transformations of the agricultural system
Coherent public and private governance initiatives for Regenerative Agriculture
PhD project by Celine Klooster. The global agri-food system faces immense environmental pressures that threaten its long-term viability. Regenerative agriculture is a promising approach to address these challenges. This study aims to assess and improve coherence of public and private governance initiatives for regenerative agriculture
Sustainable future of the dairy sector in Ethiopia
PhD project by Godadaw Demlew. Despite the growth potential, Ethiopia’s dairy sector faces challenges from production system-specific constraints and systemic barriers. Factors such as religious fasting periods, climate change, household income, and market and consumer preference dynamics affect the dairy value chain. This study will develop scenarios for a sustainable future dairy sector, paying attention to both environmental footprint and food and nutrition security
Economic resilience of Regenerative Agriculture
PhD project by Maria Oliani. Regenerative Agriculture (RA) has seen considerable resurgence in popularity in recent years, proposing an agricultural production system that goes beyond minimizing damage and contributes to the restoration of soil and its associated ecosystem services. Scientific literature on RA to date has mainly centered on defining RA and measuring its biophysical impacts (on soil, carbon, etc.), and while proponents claim it also brings socioeconomic benefits, research on these remain scarce. This research studies the impact of regenerative agriculture on farm economic resilience in the Netherlands
Unlocking sustainable dairy production
PhD project by Willemijn van der Geest. A transition towards more sustainable dairy production is needed, yet, in this transition farmers can experience barriers and lock-ins. Farmers motivation for change and quality of life will be studied. Through bottom-up research we want to explore pathways for a sustainable transition of the Dutch dairy sector. Photo: Jeroen Bouman
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Research themes
Governance and Livelihood
We research governance and livelihoods in sustainable food systems, exploring how policy incentives, certification schemes, and value chains shape transitions towards more just and sustainable livestock farming systems across diverse agricultural contexts
Environmental impacts
We study how livestock contributes to environmental issues, and how to mitigate their impact at various levels, including the farm, the value chain, the region, and the food systems level
Biodiversity
We explore the complex relationship between livestock and nature (including biodiversity and ecosystem services), and design farming systems and incentives to transition towards more sustainable agroecosystems
Animal welfare
We explore ways to improve the lives of all types of farmed animals. We place particular emphasis on assessing and improving animal welfare by using smart technology and behavioral and health indicators that reflect the emotional state of the animals
Animal Production Systems
Research of Animal Production Systems, led by Simon Oosting, focuses on unravelling the complexity of livestock systems.
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