Institutionalization of agro-ecology in the territories: Models in dispute? Lessons from the IDAE project

Xavier ARNAULD DE SARTRE (CNRS)

Marion CHARBONNEAU (U. Pau)

Pierre GASSELIN (INRA)

IDAE (institutionnalisation des agroécologies) project:

Main objective: explore the institutionalisation processes of multiple agroecologies.

Secondary objectives:• the processes of interaction and mutual transformation between agroecologies, • the ways in which different forms of agroecology have become stabilised in diverse institutional

arrangements, • the effects of these institutionalisation dynamics on agroecological practices on the ground,• the forms of co-existence or hybridisation between agroecologies and conventional

agriculture(s).

What is agroecology?

Is agroécology:• A form of agriculture among others?

• A way of thinking agriculture that produces transformations in conventionnal forms of agriculture?

A study in three different regions:

1. France – Bresse2. France – Basque Country3. Argentina – Misiones.

Objectives of this presentation: • Understand what agroecology is in specific situations, and how does it transform the

coexistence between different farming systems,• Understand what does the « process of agro ecologization of agriculture » means.

Based on three master dissertations

Ecologization process: • Autonomy in protein supply,• Couverts hivernaux-> Conservation agriculture practices

A modernized agriculture

No organic agriculture

Bresse region

Basque Country

Transformation

Bovin lait

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

RA

/act

if

SAU/actif

maraichage

bovin laittransfo

ovin laittransfo

ovin lait type1

ovin lait type2

ovin+bovin

bovin lait

mixte

bovin lait

bovin allaitant

bovin allaitantmixte

Linéaire(SMIC)

Ovin Lait et ovin+ bovin

Bovin

Bovin allaitants

Ovin + bovin grandes surfaces

Marketgardenning

Dairy milk (cattle)with transf.

Dairy milk (sheeps) withtransf.

Dairy milk (sheeps) - 1

Dairy milk (sheeps) - 2

Dairy milk (cattle)

Dairy milk (cattle) mixt

Sheep and cattlebreeding

Cattle breeding for meat

Cattle breeding mixt

Guarrantedminimum wage

Important demandCreates value

Autonomy and

resilience

Needs important labourLack of land

The AOP maintains farming systems, practices and gives a territorial dynamic

Creates value

Strongly supported by public actors

Needs subventionsPoorly integrated chainNeed important labour

No specification of the production

Tries to develop new

activities

Value for the suppliers, not for the farmers

Need important labour

A triple dynamic: 1. Limit the use of pesticide,

weeds killers and fertilizers. 2. Pick up the added value of their

products,3. Diversify the incomes.

Objectives: 1. Limit costs2. Increase prices3. Limit impacts on the

environment4. Take control on the production

process

Misiones region (Argentina)

A triple dynamic: 1. Limit the use of pesticide,

weeds killers and fertilizers. 2. Organic practices,3. Linking cattle breeding and

agriculture.

Objectives: 1. Limit costs2. Limit environment

degradation3. Take control on the

production process

Conclusion

Agroecology as a way of practicing various kinds of agriculture

Economical and auto-empowerment strategies

Agroecology reintroduces complexity in working process, in knowledge