New Perspectives of Economic and Institutional Sociology. Local Agri-Food Systems and Territorial Development

This paper adds to the debate of Marshallian economic-industrial sociology and the reintroduction of Becattini's Industrial Districts theory. It aims to situate - within the context of territorial development - a Local Agri-Food Systems (LAFS) perspective, which highlights the profound relationship between food and territory, as well as the importance of collective action, rural agro-industry, local know how, the environment and food quality, among other issues.

The paper is divided in three parts: the first part addresses the theoretical-methodological development from a sociological perspective, but one that incorporates other disciplines such as new human geography, anthropology, complexity sciences and agronomy, all of which enable and form part of a LAFS perspective. The second part of the paper contrasts case studies from Mexico and other Latin America countries that were undertaken as part of research project funded by the Mexican National Council of Science and Technology (Conacyt), the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the European Union (EU). The final part of paper concludes that LAFS can potentially contribute solid arguments to implement public policies for territorial development that would enable rural peasant families to earn higher incomes and help overcome rural poverty.