Landbauforschung (Jan 2021)
How do policy-influential stakeholders from the Madrid region (Spain) understand and perceive the relevance of agroecology and the challenges for its regional implementation?
Abstract
Due to the high population growth rates and the negative impacts of the current agrifood production model, alternatives emerge to feed the current and future world population in a sustainable way. One of the proposed approaches is agroecology, understood as a scientific discipline, a set of agricultural practices and a socio-political movement that enhances the sustainability of agroecosystems from a holistic perspective. Agroecology was born and grew along the 20th century, and nowadays it is gaining legitimacy at different levels. However, agroecology is still an unknown concept in several influential fields. This paper attempts to study the impact of agroecology in the Madrid region and the main challenges and strategies to encourage its transition. We analysed the understanding and perceived challenges of the agroecological transitions of stakeholders whose role is crucial in the political sphere, through four participatory workshops conducted in October-November 2019 (n=79 attendees). Among the main findings it is remarkable the high agroecological understanding of the attendees. This concept is predominantly associated with environmental elements with less relevance of social and governance elements. One of the major challenges to be tackled is the lack of legal framework on agroecological issues. Additionally, consumers were considered essential as they contribute to the creation of demand for agro-ecological products, yet, the small productive sector is working precariously. Thus, the communication with these producers must be enhanced as well as their profession dignified. The institutionalisation of agroecology and the implementation of pub- lic policies are decisive factors for the agroecological transition.
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