Transition to Agroecological Food Systems

A Case Study of Noord-Brabant, Netherlands

José Eduardo Rosa López
Master's Thesis | Agribusiness Development
Aeres University of Applied Sciences
August 2025

Research Introduction

Research Aim

Explore challenges and opportunities for transitioning from conventional agriculture to agroecological food systems (AFS) in Noord-Brabant, Netherlands.

Develop a practical pathway for systemic change addressing economic, policy, social, and psychological dynamics.

The Problem

Conventional agriculture in Noord-Brabant causes:

  • 45% of nitrogen deposition (biodiversity loss)
  • Soil degradation and water pollution
  • Farmer dependency on input suppliers
  • Limited agroecological expertise

Agroecology Solution

AFS integrates ecological principles to create resilient food systems:

  • Biodiversity enhancement
  • Nutrient cycling
  • Reduced external inputs
  • Social equity and local knowledge

Economic potential: +73% family income (Van der Ploeg et al., 2019)

Research Questions

Main Research Question:

How can barriers to AFS transition be addressed sequentially at provincial level?

Sub-questions:

  1. SQ1: Who are key stakeholders and how do they influence the process?
  2. SQ2: How do stakeholders perceive barriers to AFS transition?
  3. SQ3: What approaches/policies can overcome these barriers?

Research Methodology

Approach & Design

Philosophy: Interpretivism + Pragmatism

Approach: Inductive (theory built from data)

Methodology: Multi-method qualitative

Data Collection:

  • Semi-structured interviews with 6 stakeholders
  • Two agroecological farm case studies
  • Literature and policy review

Participants

Diverse stakeholder representation:

  • 2 Farmers (transitioning to AFS)
  • 2 Academic researchers
  • 1-2 Provincial government representatives
  • Additional experts (agricultural union, NGOs)

Ethical considerations: Anonymity, GDPR compliance, informed consent

Analytical Framework

Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke):

  1. Familiarization with data
  2. Generating initial codes
  3. Searching for themes
  4. Reviewing themes
  5. Defining themes
  6. Producing the report

SFA Framework (Scholes & Johnson):

  • Suitability - Fit with context
  • Feasibility - Practical implementation
  • Acceptability - Stakeholder buy-in

Used to prioritize and sequence recommendations

Research Findings

SQ1: Who are the key stakeholders and how do they influence the process?

Stakeholder Ecosystem

The transition to AFS involves a complex network of stakeholders with varying levels of influence:

Farmers

Primary implementers of change. Younger farmers more open to transition.

Government

Sets legal frameworks, regulations, and subsidy structures at multiple levels.

Research Institutions

Provide scientific insights and develop alternative models.

Financial Institutions

Influence agricultural investments (e.g., Rabobank).

Food Industry

Supermarkets and processors shape demand and market dynamics.

Environmental NGOs

Advocate for ecological integrity and social equity.

Stakeholder Interactions

Key insights from stakeholder analysis:

  • Power asymmetry exists, with financial institutions and agribusiness controlling resources
  • Fragmented collaboration between stakeholders hinders progress
  • Farmers feel pressured by multiple stakeholders (banks, suppliers, government)
  • Environmental NGOs provide critical counterbalance to industrial interests
  • Consumers have limited agency without systemic changes

Stakeholder Perspectives

"NGOs represent voices that would otherwise not have a seat at the table. They ensure policies consider vulnerable groups."

- Participant 1 (Lecturer & Researcher)

"The consumer would not be near the top of stakeholders that could drive meaningful change without systemic shifts."

- Participant 4 (Professor)

Research Findings

SQ2: How do stakeholders perceive barriers to AFS transition?

Barrier Taxonomy

Stakeholders identified interconnected barriers across multiple dimensions:

Economic Barriers

  • High land prices (€200,000/ha)
  • Low food prices
  • Input dependency
  • Limited financial incentives
Mentioned by 6/6 participants

Policy Barriers

  • Short-term policy cycles
  • Provincial/national misalignment
  • Bureaucratic obstacles
  • "Nitrogen myopia"
Mentioned by 6/6 participants

Psychological Barriers

  • Cultural resistance
  • Risk aversion
  • Generational differences
  • Fear of change
Mentioned by 6/6 participants

Barrier Interconnectivity

Stakeholders emphasized how barriers reinforce each other:

  • Economic pressures exacerbate psychological resistance to change
  • Policy uncertainty increases financial risks for farmers
  • Land access challenges limit new entrants to agriculture
  • Knowledge gaps hinder effective implementation of AFS
  • Consumer preferences reinforce industrial models

"Barriers form a self-reinforcing system that resists transformation" - P4

Stakeholder Perspectives on Barriers

"Farmers are too dependent upon input suppliers and financial institutes that make decisions for them instead of by themselves."

- Participant 1 (Lecturer & Researcher)

"In the Netherlands, land prices are insanely high. If you want to form an actual ecological system, it would be nice to own the land, but prices make it very hard."

- Participant 3 (Farm Owner)

"There is a big group of consumers looking for the cheapest price and easiest way, going to the supermarket because everything is there and relatively cheap."

- Participant 5 (Agriculture Expert)

Research Findings

SQ3: What approaches can overcome barriers to AFS transition?

Solution Framework

Economic Solutions

  • Transition grants and funding
  • Land access programs
  • True-cost accounting
  • Cooperative models
  • Rewards for ecosystem services

Policy Solutions

  • Long-term policy alignment
  • Area-based approaches
  • Stability clauses
  • Food policy councils
  • Beyond nitrogen focus

Social Solutions

  • Participatory governance
  • Knowledge-sharing networks
  • Consumer education
  • Transition coaching
  • Youth engagement

Phased Transition Roadmap

Short-term (1-2 years)

  • Establish provincial AFS task force
  • Launch land-access pilots for young farmers
  • Introduce transition grants and financial support
  • Align provincial policies with national/EU frameworks

Mid-term (3-5 years)

  • Reform agricultural education curricula
  • Create "Agroecology Living Labs" for experimentation
  • Shift CAP subsidies to support AFS practices
  • Develop participatory governance structures

Long-term (5+ years)

  • Implement true-cost accounting in food systems
  • Scale consumer awareness campaigns
  • Establish 20% market share for local AFS products
  • Create national AFS policy framework

Stakeholder Solution Proposals

"We need structural and institutionalized change so agroecology gets the same support as conventional farming - not just seed money but structural support."

- Participant 1

"Marketing and storytelling are potential approaches to influence behavior. The barriers are mainly habits that need changing."

- Participant 5

Conclusion & Recommendations

Key Conclusions

Transition Feasibility:

  • AFS transition is attainable but requires systemic change
  • Must address interconnected barriers simultaneously
  • Young farmers are key agents of change

Systemic Changes Needed:

  • Decouple farmers from input dependencies
  • Align economic incentives with ecology
  • Create participatory governance models

Core Challenges:

  • Economic pressures reinforce psychological resistance
  • Policy uncertainty increases financial risks
  • Knowledge gaps hinder implementation
  • Consumer preferences reinforce industrial models

Research Contributions

  • First comprehensive barrier taxonomy for AFS transition at provincial level
  • Novel application of SFA framework for solution sequencing
  • Practical insights from agroecological farm models
  • Stakeholder-informed implementation roadmap
  • Demonstration of circular economy potential

Future Research

  • Longitudinal studies tracking transition impacts
  • Quantitative barrier prioritization analysis
  • Economic modeling of true-cost accounting
  • Comparative analysis with other EU regions
  • Inclusion of agribusiness perspectives
"Transition isn't a linear path—it's a collaborative redesign of our food systems that requires systemic thinking, patient capital, and shared commitment across all stakeholders."

- José Eduardo Rosa López