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Agroecology in Mediterranean Europe: Genesis, State and Perspectives

Author

Listed:
  • Paola Migliorini

    (University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele 9, 12042 Pollentia, Italy)

  • Vasileios Gkisakis

    (Agroecologiki SP, Agricultural Research & Development, Tryfitsou 3, 70100 Archanes, Crete, Greece)

  • Victor Gonzalvez

    (Spanish Society for Organic Farming/Agroecology (SEAE), Cami del Port, s/n km 1, Edif ECA, Portón 1 (Apdo 397), E-46470 Catarroja (Valencia), Spain)

  • Ma Dolores Raigón

    (Escuela Técnica Superior Ingeniería Agronómica y Medio Natural (ETSIAMN), Univ Politécnica Valencia (UPV), Cami de Vera, s/n. Edif 3P, E-46022 Valencia, Spain)

  • Paolo Bàrberi

    (Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, 56127 Pisa, Italy)

Abstract

The Mediterranean agro-food systems need to be properly managed. A promising pathway is the transition towards more sustainable food systems through agroecology, which represents the ecology of food systems. In this paper, the state-of-the-art of agroecology is described for three representative euro-Mediterranean countries: Italy, Greece, and Spain. The analysis has been partly based on results of a dedicated literature search and partly on grey literature and expert knowledge. After an overview of the history of agroecology, targeted research and education, collective action (political and social), and some agroecological practices in the three countries are presented. These countries share a rather similar use of the term “agroecology”, but they differ regarding (i) the existence/extent of strong civil and social movements; (ii) the type of study/educational programmes, and the relative importance of different scientific disciplines and their evolution; (iii) the development of political support and legal frameworks; and (iv) the elaboration of concepts to rediscover traditional practices and apply new ones, often taken from the organic agriculture sector. Agroecology is an emerging concept for the Mediterranean agricultural sector, with huge potential due to the peculiar socio-cultural, bio-physical, and political-economic features of the region. To boost agroecology in Mediterranean Europe, better networking and engagement of different actors within a coherent institutional framework supporting the transition is strongly needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Paola Migliorini & Vasileios Gkisakis & Victor Gonzalvez & Ma Dolores Raigón & Paolo Bàrberi, 2018. "Agroecology in Mediterranean Europe: Genesis, State and Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-23, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:8:p:2724-:d:161616
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paola Migliorini & Geir Lieblein, 2016. "Facilitating Transformation and Competence Development in Sustainable Agriculture University Education: An Experiential and Action Oriented Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-15, November.
    2. Ángel Calle Collado & David Gallar & José Candón, 2013. "Agroecología política: transición social hacia sistemas agroalimentarios," Revista de Economía Crítica, Asociación de Economía Crítica, vol. 16, pages 244-277.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aguilera, Eduardo & Díaz-Gaona, Cipriano & García-Laureano, Raquel & Reyes-Palomo, Carolina & Guzmán, Gloria I. & Ortolani, Livia & Sánchez-Rodríguez, Manuel & Rodríguez-Estévez, Vicente, 2020. "Agroecology for adaptation to climate change and resource depletion in the Mediterranean region. A review," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    2. Alexander Wezel & Stéphane Bellon, 2018. "Mapping Agroecology in Europe. New Developments and Applications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-3, August.
    3. Cristian Pérez-Caselles & Margarita Brugarolas & Laura Martínez-Carrasco, 2020. "Traditional Varieties for Local Markets: A Sustainable Proposal for Agricultural SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-19, June.
    4. Vítor João Pereira Domingues Martinho, 2021. "Agri-Food Contexts in Mediterranean Regions: Contributions to Better Resources Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-17, June.
    5. Lucia Rocchi & Antonio Boggia & Luisa Paolotti, 2020. "Sustainable Agricultural Systems: A Bibliometrics Analysis of Ecological Modernization Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-16, November.
    6. Inga C. Melchior & Jens Newig, 2021. "Governing Transitions towards Sustainable Agriculture—Taking Stock of an Emerging Field of Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-27, January.
    7. Leonie Guerrero Lara & Laura M. Pereira & Federica Ravera & Amanda Jiménez-Aceituno, 2019. "Flipping the Tortilla : Social-Ecological Innovations and Traditional Ecological Knowledge for More Sustainable Agri-Food Systems in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-21, February.
    8. Ilaria Zambon & Artemi Cerdà & Sirio Cividino & Luca Salvati, 2019. "The (Evolving) Vineyard’s Age Structure in the Valencian Community, Spain: A New Demographic Approach for Rural Development and Landscape Analysis," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-13, March.

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