It is a very broad question, although the answer would seem pretty straightforward: the role of agriculture is to feed the world.

Despite this rather obvious fact, it is important to remember the many challenges that the agricultural sector faces. These include producing enough quality food to feed an ever-growing world population and preserving the environment and natural resources against the backdrop of climate change and market imperfections that generate instability.  

In addition to producing food, agriculture accomplishes a variety of economic, social, and environmental functions. Our research group is interested in exploring these various roles. We also adopt an educational and scientific approach that analyzes the complex relationship between agricultural development, understood as both a social and economic practice, and the development of territories where agriculture is present.           

Are you interested in a scientific watch on proximity agriculture? The Agriculture, Territorial Development Research Group, with the support of the Canadian Partnership for Agriculture, offers you a newsletter (in French) every two months.