Abstract
The increasing interest in bio-districts is part of the debate on the capacity to integrate agri-food systems and territory in order to improve the quality of life in rural communities. Considering the goals of developing and promoting an innovative territorial rural development approach, the bio-district can become a process toward a more sustainable model represented by the agroecological agriculture system. The paper presents a case study of the Parma bio-district through the approach of a Localized Agri Food System (LAFS) to verify whether bio-districts can be a tool for scaling up towards agroecology. Stakeholder classification and analysis are conducted using an influence–interest matrix. We identified four groups of stakeholders in relation to their interests and power to influence the process. In the case of the Parma bio-district the role of local institutions in dialogue with consumers and producers’ associations is crucial for success. We conclude that bio-districts can be a tool for a scaling-up towards agroecology since they can facilitate a synergetic relation between organic and agroecological agriculture, spreading organic agriculture more widely around the local area. However, the involvement of a wide variety of different stakeholders means that governance is a key element in facilitating “cross fertilization” and preventing the process from becoming purely formulaic.
Highlights
The concept of sustainability applied to agriculture and rural development was officially introduced by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) [1] with the aim to highlight the determinants of sustainability
Stakeholders involved in trade channels are: traders of input, Solidarity Purchasing Groups (SPG), organic farmers and consumer associations, local farmers markets (e.g., La Corte) and small retailers
This study shows that stakeholders involved in the Parma bio-district potentially have the opportunity to make a structural change towards agroecology in the area
Summary
The concept of sustainability applied to agriculture and rural development was officially introduced by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) [1] with the aim to highlight the determinants of sustainability. It is necessary to act on production and consumption in environmental, social and economic dimensions through a management process that takes into consideration the relationships between people, in other words, the social inclusion of actors. These concepts are found in different settings and formalizations in different parts of the world. Agroecology and Organic Agriculture have different characteristics and pursue different objectives which can be summarized as follows
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
