The LAS approach: a scheme for a sustainable local development of Southern countries rural areas?

LAS (Localised Agri-food Systems) approach has been viewed until now as either an analysis of a variety of local production system or an anthropological vision of the links between food and places. Although theses approaches are relevant, they prove sometimes hard to differentiate themselves of close concepts such as Local production systems. This paper intends to assess in what measure LAS approach can be redefined as an approach of rural development processes, which could be the basis of a rural development policy. If LAS's are to be considered as the basis of a rural development path, LAS approach must be cast in the current debate on diversification of rural activities. Drawing on that, LAS can be the basis of a rural development policy, but only fit to some places, with a very specific “residential” relationship with the overall economic environment.