Damian Maye
Clustering and the spatial distribution of organic farming in England and Wales
Maye, Damian; Ilbery, Brian
Authors
Brian Ilbery
Abstract
Previous geographical research on organic farming suggests a process of aggregation at the regional scale and spatial clustering at the local level, the latter in response to a neighbourhood effect and different socio-cultural factors. However, little research has been conducted on the geographical distribution of organic farming in a UK context. Using both secondary and primary data, this paper examines geographical aspects of organic farming in England and Wales. At a regional scale, three major concentrations of organic production are found to the south and west of a line drawn between Bangor in north Wales and Brighton in south-east England (the Brighton-Bangor line). One of these concentrations occurs in the counties of East and West Sussex in south-east England. Yet, within these two counties the pattern of organic farming is quite random and there is little evidence of spatial clustering, a neighbourhood effect or the influence of socio-cultural factors. Instead, many of the farms have converted from conventional farming since 1990 and are driven by a strong economic imperative, which encourages the use of national as well as local outlets to both sell their produce and purchase necessary inputs. © 2010 The Authors. Area © 2010 Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers).
Citation
Maye, D., & Ilbery, B. (2011). Clustering and the spatial distribution of organic farming in England and Wales. Area, 43(1), 31-41. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4762.2010.00953.x
Journal Article Type | Article |
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Publication Date | Mar 1, 2011 |
Deposit Date | Oct 26, 2011 |
Journal | Area |
Print ISSN | 0004-0894 |
Electronic ISSN | 1475-4762 |
Publisher | Wiley |
Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
Volume | 43 |
Issue | 1 |
Pages | 31-41 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4762.2010.00953.x |
Keywords | organic farming, spatial clustering, location quotients, whole chain analysis, England, Wales, East Sussex, West Sussex |
Public URL | https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/986857 |
Publisher URL | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4762.2010.00953.x |