The Role of the Bio District in Removing Barriers to the Adoption of Agroecology

Over the last few years, Bio districts have entered the discourse on local development as a viable tool for implementing agroecology paradigm, due to their multi-stakeholder, environmentally-centred, and place-based approach to sustainability. Considering the real context of a Bio district (Biodistretto Valle Camonica), this study aims at identifying the main barriers which still hinder the adoption of the agroecological approach and at understanding its role in removing these obstacles. A case study was performed by analysing and arranging, through a cause-effect approach, qualitative data coming from a survey of farmers and a focus group involving key actors. The findings show six clusters and 13 primary categories of barriers which restrict the adoption of agroecology, along with its potential scalability, ranging from farm-level practices to broader movements and territories. A big effort should be implemented at the policy and governance level to strengthen mountain agriculture. Greater awareness among communities and local administrators is advisable, as they play a key role in activating and enhancing the endogenous resources of the territory.