SALSA: Small Farms, Small Food Businesses and Sustainable Food Security

The project has a solid scientific foundation and works close with organizations that specialize in knowledge building and implementation. Most of the 17 partners who will implement the studies are from Southern and Eastern Europe, but there are also partners from Norway, Scotland, Tunisia, Kenya, Ghana and Cape Verde.

Areas in Europe where small scale systems are in use are included in the project. The distinct circumstances of the different countries are of course of significance.

The analysis in the various regions of Europe and Africa will build a foundation for better and increased cooperation in research and development in the agriculture and food sector. Small farms are often overlooked in traditional agricultural research. By highlighting their contributions, collaborations, variety, potential and challenges, the project will provide a better understanding of small farmers’ role in food and nutrition security.

Knowledge gained from the project will be part of a base for more effective and targeted subsidies. In particular, the project will highlight where in the agricultural system one best utilizes the various structures of agricultural production in different regions.

The project is in close contact with users and stakeholders, and is especially relevant to actors within policy and management. The aim is to create an arena for common experiences and knowledge building with small-scale farmers and their organizations. A high number of relevant organizations are actively involved in the consortium, including FAO, the UN’s agriculture organization.

One of the areas to be studied in the project is new development models within the food supply chain. The systems for processing and distribution can either increase or decrease the distance between the consumer and food production. How can small farms contribute to re-establishing an understanding of food production among consumers? How to re-connect? The project will also examine the existence of and the opportunities within barter economy and other informal markets.

The SALSA project (Small Farms, Small Food Businesses and Sustainable Food Security) won the Horizon 2020s announcement SFS-18-2015 ‘Small farms but global markets: the role of small and family farms in food and nutrition security’.