Agricultural Diversification, Adaptation & Regeneration | Researcher | Founder | Director | AWDT Escalator Programme 2023
What drives land use change and diversification? In the case of Bordeaux its climate change impact on wine style, changing consumer preferences, market saturation with low value wine, DOC restrictions and subsidies. This article highlights some of the many forces that influence land use change and transitions to diversified landscapes. Sadly one-third of the winegrowers in this case will pull out all their vineyards and abandon winemaking altogether. Interestingly the article does not mention winegrowers abandoning or selling their land, they are staying on their land and focusing on adapting. This is likely driven by an intergenerational connection to their land and place. What would happen to Marlborough if a similar scenario played out here? Where much of the vineyard area is owned by large corporations as opposed to individuals with deeper connection to the region. https://lnkd.in/gmv6Vqwh
mark krasnow
1y
Regardless of who owns the land, I suspect land use will shift to whatever is the most profitable. Did ex sheep farmers in Marlborough turn to grapes because it was better for the land? This scenario will likely play out in Bordeaux, and is the everyday reality of cropping farmers everywhere where government subsidies don’t muddy the water. Cropping farmers need to rotate crops based on what will give the best return in addition to rotation being farming best practice.
General Manager Sustainability at New Zealand Winegrowers
1yIt might actually be easier for Individual farmers to change their land use to adapt ( as they did when grapes became the most profitable land use option in Marlborough) than for big companies who are focussed on selling a specific product?