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International audience; This paper presents the cross-regional comparative analysis of a participatory scenario planning exercise conducted in 13 regions of 13 countries in both Europe and Africa as part of the H2020 research project SALSA “Small farms, small food business and sustainable food security”. The objective of the analysis is threefold: (i) to better understand how small farms and small food businesses would perform, in terms of their contribution to regional food and nutrition security, in a set of common scenarios for the year 2050; (ii) to assess how the evolution of certain drivers of change could impact on their future situation, and (iii) to derive some policy implications aimed to preserve and strengthen their capacity to contribute to food and nutrition security.

This study aims to analyse the role and contribution of small farms and small food businesses on the food system and food security. Drawing on a conceptual framework, methodology, and data from the EU H2020 &lsquo, SALSA-Small farms, small food businesses and sustainable food and nutrition security&rsquo, project hereafter referred as SALSA project, this issue has been analysed in relation to four staple products (tomato, chicken, maize, and banana) in Santiago Island (Cabo Verde). The study follows a regional approach based on a detailed analysis of the territorial food systems and of the production/consumption balance of those staple products. The results show that the subsystems of production, processing, distribution, and consumption are different in the different food systems map for the four staple products, with complex and diversified interrelationships between small farms and related small businesses linking with various markets and all kinds of actors. Moreover, the evidence shows that small farms, in conjunction with small food businesses, are crucial to national food security in Santiago Island. The small farm is fundamental for greater food availability produced in the region, and the small food business is a key component playing a very important role by ensuring the stability of supply, being primarily responsible for establishing relationships to population centres.

There is increasing recognition that young people in farming have an important role to play in meeting the challenges of food security. A rapidly growing body of evidence suggests, however, that small-scale farming is much less likely to attract young people than large-scale farming and the non-agricultural sectors. Using the results of studies conducted in selected European and African regions, we analyze the issues related to generational renewal in small farms. We find that young people tend to be more oriented towards developing businesses on their small farms, and nearly all believed that they could increase the production levels on their farms. We identify specific barriers to small-farm development: land access, low profitability and compliance with food quality and certification standards. We argue for targeted policy supports to enable formalized cooperation and innovation up-take.