Unveiling Contrasting Preferred Trajectories of Local Development in Southeast Portugal
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Case Study
3. Methods
4. Results
4.1. Establishing a Reference Point
4.2. Past and Present Dynamics
“People did not want to abandon the land, because it was family property, even if unproductive. Entering the European Union and agrarian policy made possible the forestation of the properties instead of them just being abandoned.”- Technician in forest association
“I am in favor of Alqueva but believe there should be limits to intensification. I was in favor of the Alqueva project, and of the possibility of agricultural diversification that did not exist.”– President Local Action Group operating in the study area
“Rainfed will not work in the future because of water scarcity. And if it will be scarce, we need to invest in water.”–Farmer in Alcoutim
4.3. (Un)Desired Future
“Agriculture must be irrigated. What is done in rainfed systems can only be valued by its services, like biodiversity.”–Technician at water management institution
“Rainfed production is not pretending agriculture. […] Irrigated agriculture cannot eliminate rainfed production.”– Extensive producer
5. Discussion
5.1. Dealing with Change
5.2. A Divergent Shared Vision
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Serpa | Mértola | Alcoutim | |
---|---|---|---|
Area (ha) | 110,563 | 129,287 | 57,536 |
Population density a (nº/km2) | 14.1 | 5.6 | 5.1 |
UAA b (ha) | 86,546 | 90,018 | 12,448 |
3-year average irrigated area c (ha) | 8,244 | 649 | 52 |
Annual rainfall a (mm) | 314.4 | 366.2 | 347.1 |
Number of Territorial Actors | Sectors That Territorial Actors Represent | |
---|---|---|
Interviews | 22 | Local public administration (municipality level, 4), local farmers and farmer’s organizations (6), local associations and NGOs (7), regional public administration (4), irrigation enterprise (1) |
Territory Game | 23 | Local public administration (municipality level, 3), local farmers and farmer’s organizations (4), local associations and NGOs (10), regional public administration (3), senior researcher on agricultural science (1), Guadiana Valley Natural Park (PNVG) management (2) |
Issue | Desirable Future | Suggested Actions |
---|---|---|
Maintenance, protection and improvement of land systems | Improved soil Policies and measures fitted to extensive, multifunctional systems (of Montado in particular) Increased tree cover The predominance of multifunctional systems Silvopastoral practices compatible with values and rules of PNVG Natural park | Change common agricultural policy (CAP) schemes and values not to favor ill-adjusted or unsustainable practices Integration of “forest” and “agricultural” policy measures considering the existence of agroforestry systems Empowerment of farmers, landowners and policymakers on good practices, adaptive management, water and soil conservation techniques through field trips and knowledge transference |
Increase water availability | Water seeding—agricultural practices concerned with water conservation such as swales and ponds. Use of irrigation as a complement to rainfed systems Accessible irrigation infrastructures to a wider population | Empowerment of farmers, landowners and policymakers on good practices, adaptive management, water collection and conservation techniques through field trips and knowledge transference |
Cooperation between actors | More dialogue amongst different entities Find and converge on common points of concern | Creation of lobby group to represent the interest of the territory near decision-makers |
Population | Maintain and increase the rural population | Incentives for business opportunities and job creation in the territory |
Local market | Ease of access to local products in the local market and increase awareness of buyers for local consumption | Relax public procurement regulations to facilitate placement of local products in the local market (including public canteens and restaurants) Increase awareness of local buyers for local consumption |
Transformation and commercialization strategies | Organized producers to gain commercialization strength Multifunctional processing center in the territory Access to niche markets The Guadiana River as a “road” to reach a wider market | Collective transformation facilities, including a collective kitchen and multipurpose factory Creation of a platform of commercialization of the products from the territory |
Energetic production | Investment in small projects across the territory |
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Esgalhado, C.; Guimaraes, M.H. Unveiling Contrasting Preferred Trajectories of Local Development in Southeast Portugal. Land 2020, 9, 87. https://doi.org/10.3390/land9030087
Esgalhado C, Guimaraes MH. Unveiling Contrasting Preferred Trajectories of Local Development in Southeast Portugal. Land. 2020; 9(3):87. https://doi.org/10.3390/land9030087
Chicago/Turabian StyleEsgalhado, Catarina, and Maria Helena Guimaraes. 2020. "Unveiling Contrasting Preferred Trajectories of Local Development in Southeast Portugal" Land 9, no. 3: 87. https://doi.org/10.3390/land9030087
APA StyleEsgalhado, C., & Guimaraes, M. H. (2020). Unveiling Contrasting Preferred Trajectories of Local Development in Southeast Portugal. Land, 9(3), 87. https://doi.org/10.3390/land9030087