What about perennial grains?

Last changed: 25 May 2021
Image of scientific poster. Authors: Karin Andr´sn and Ebba Kuylenstierna

Ebba Kuylenstierna & Karin Andrén, Agricultural programme - Economics and Management

Summary

The world’s population is growing, and sustainable sufficient food production is therefore needed. The agricultural sector is facing a dilemma, both to ensure that ecosystem services are kept intact but also to keep up the global food supply for the growing population. The food and agriculture industry has a strongly institutionalized structure, which means that fundamental changes take a particularly long time. Many sustainability issues concerning the current agricultural industry are urgent, this means that we must find effective ways that work, to change the current unsustainable production methods. Perennial grains are one example of an initiative to reduce the environmental impact from the agricultural sector. The aim of this thesis is to investigate how grain producers are affected by structures within their work towards sustainability. The data collection has been done through semi-structured interviews with six grain producers in Skaraborg, Västra Götaland. The theoretical framework in the thesis are sustainability transition and structuration theory. The results showed that the respondents experience a need for sustainability transition in the agricultural sector and that an implementation of perennial grains would be positive from an environmental perspective if it met the grain producers’ requirements and fit in a Swedish context. From a multiple level perspective in the agricultural industry, changes in structures need to take place at all levels for a transition to happen, such as niche level, patchwork of regimes level and at landscape level.

Poster

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Image of scientific poster. Authors: Karin Andr´sn and Ebba Kuylenstierna

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About us

Ebba Kuylenstierna. Private photo.

Ebba Kuylenstierna

My name is Ebba Kuylenstierna and I am 26 years old. I am studying agricultural economics and management in my final year at SLU. I am born and raised on a farm outside Hudiksvall, Hälsingland. I am very interested in sustainable food production, including reduced environmental impact, and want to be a part of the development after my graduation. I believe it is possible to provide the growing population with food that is responsibly produced and good for both the environment and the body.

 

Karin Andrén. Private photo.

Karin Andrén

I am 26 years old and from Töreboda, Västra Götaland, where I will move back after graduation this June. During my five years here at SLU, I have opened my eyes to the agricultural companies' opportunity to influence the rest of society. Since agriculture, the environment, and food production affect all people in one way or another, I think it is important to reflect on how it can be developed for a more sustainable future.

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