Context
In the southern Mediterranean, and more generally in Africa, rural areas and agriculture are experiencing a renewed interest, particularly through ambitious public policies related to agricultural and territorial development, as well as natural resource management. At the local level, rural and agricultural development experiences are very diverse, whether initiated by groups of farmers, other actors, or within the framework of government projects and programs. This diversity of initiatives (public policies and local-level experiences) makes it important to reflect on the coherence of these different initiatives at the territorial level. Moreover, there is a need to consider the trajectories of rural territories in a way that takes better account of both the past and the medium-term future, which will allow reflection on the means to be mobilized to promote sustainable development.
Furthermore, the knowledge held by actors in the rural and agricultural world (engineers, farmers, researchers, non-governmental and international organizations, donors, etc.) regarding agricultural and rural development is rich and diverse. It is important to offer more opportunities and spaces for structured and permanent dialogue among these actors. In particular, these rural areas and associated production sectors are the subject of numerous studies and research, addressing both agricultural and rural dynamics (farms, producer organizations, value chains) and development initiatives. However, many research studies are insufficiently communicated and discussed outside academic circles. These studies have not always been able to contribute sufficiently or explicitly to the development of public policies and decision-making for actors in the rural and agricultural sectors.
Objectives of the Journal
To address these challenges, the DRIDURA collective (Rural Dynamics, Innovation and Sustainable Development) publishes the journal Alternatives Rurales. This journal aims to provide a space for communication and debate on agricultural and rural dynamics, as well as the sharing of development experiences from other countries. Its objectives are as follows:
- Provide a space for collecting and analyzing experiences related to agricultural dynamics (farms, collective organizations, development projects, production areas, and value chains), territorial evolution, and agricultural and rural development initiatives (coordination among actors, use and management of natural resources, etc.);
- Communicate research results on these dynamics and development initiatives;
- Open a space for dialogue among different actors in the agricultural and rural world on local agricultural and rural development initiatives;
- Structure a critical and constructive debate and proposals on different alternatives for rural and agricultural development.
The journal Alternatives Rurales is intended for actors in the agricultural and rural sectors (such as institutional actors, farmers, professional agricultural organizations, non-governmental organizations, researchers), as well as students and the general public.
The notion of “Rural Alternatives” was chosen with the idea of exploring the field of possibilities, encouraging critical exchange, and highlighting the diversity of options, changes, and innovations in terms of actions and public policies for agricultural and rural development.
Content
The journal Alternatives Rurales aims to facilitate the exchange of diverse knowledge on rural and agricultural matters. It seeks to enable debates from different perspectives on the same topics. The presented themes cover, among others, the strategies and trajectories of farms, public and collective action at the local level, policies, mechanisms, and methodologies for supporting rural and agricultural development, and natural resource management.
The journal Alternatives Rurales offers articles written in an accessible style for a non-specialist audience (see guidelines for authors). The journal is mainly structured around two types of content:
- Articles for communication and debate on studies, research results, and field experiences. Authors present the results of research or technical studies related to the spirit of the journal and its quality requirements. These contributions may come from different disciplines (social sciences, agronomy, animal science, etc.); the most important aspect is that they show how the results presented can serve as a basis for reflection on development alternatives and public policy formulation. These may include original articles, syntheses of scientific articles published elsewhere or in preparation, or syntheses of theses or final-year project work.
- Articles presenting opinions or testimonies. Authors present an experience they have lived, analyze it, and show how this experience contributes to debates on development alternatives.
Preparation of Study and Research Articles
Study and research articles are initially written through an interaction between the author(s) and the editorial committee, which, if necessary, proposes framing and improvements to the article. Once the text is stabilized, it is sent to two anonymous reviewers, who assess, among other things, the scientific relevance and readability for a non-specialist audience.
Charter
The journal Alternatives Rurales is founded on the following principles:
- The journal is non-profit. Authors neither pay nor are paid to publish an article.
- The journal aims to be independent, responsible, and autonomous while respecting the philosophy of its editorial line.
- The journal offers, within its articles, a plurality of viewpoints. Authors are encouraged to present critical positions and also to offer and discuss alternative proposals.
