Raffaele Zanoli

Action research e politiche agricole per l’agricolturabiologica: un primo esperimento in Italia

Using a participatory action research approach, in this paper we explore various policy options for the development of organic farming. The approach is based on stakeholder involvement in an expert workshop process to assess the effectiveness of different policy instruments in each country, and to develop suggestions for ‘future’ policy instruments and strategies to positively influence the development of the organic farming sector in the respective country. The starting point of the discussion were the current weaknesses of organic farming policy and the opportunities and threats for the organic farming sector which could be influenced by future specific organic policies. This provided a first input to an EU-wide policy discussion. Close personal contact of participants in this series of workshops facilitate policy learning and collaborative working at the national level and across the EU and provide a platform to form alliances to decide on further actions.