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Agroecological Strategies for Reactivating the Agrarian Sector: The Case of Agrolab in Madrid

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  • Marina García-Llorente

    (Department of Applied Research and Agricultural Extension, Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural and Food Research and Development (IMIDRA), Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona (N-II) KM. 38.200, 28802 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain)

  • Irene Pérez-Ramírez

    (Department of Applied Research and Agricultural Extension, Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural and Food Research and Development (IMIDRA), Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona (N-II) KM. 38.200, 28802 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain)

  • Clara Sabán de la Portilla

    (Department of Applied Research and Agricultural Extension, Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural and Food Research and Development (IMIDRA), Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona (N-II) KM. 38.200, 28802 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain)

  • Carmen Haro

    (Departamento de Historia Moderna, Contemporánea y de América, Periodismo y Comunicación Audiovisual y Publicidad, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Universidad de Valladolid, Plaza del Campus s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain)

  • Alejandro Benito

    (Department of Applied Research and Agricultural Extension, Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural and Food Research and Development (IMIDRA), Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona (N-II) KM. 38.200, 28802 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

Considering the social and ecological obsolescence of the conventional agricultural model and the crisis faced by rural areas, innovative models based on collective initiatives and agroecological practices are emerging. Here, we present the use of a participatory farming lab as a space to reactivate the agrarian sector in rural and periurban areas of Madrid. The specific objectives of this study are: (1) to describe the project; (2) to identify participants’ profiles and motivations and (3) to identify the most socially valued ecosystem services and the actions collectively taken to enhance them. To do so, we have used the living lab conceptual approach and the ecosystem service lens. Data gathering included a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques, including participant observation, informal and formal meetings, interviews, workshops and surveys. We found a diversity of motivations for enrolling in the program and 20 ecosystem services were selected as socially important. We also describe how the project has contributed to adopting agroecological practices to sustain those ecosystem services. Finally, we discuss the contribution of the project towards new and integrated rural development strategies, including its potential to promote cooperative solutions that enhance farming activity by also providing ecosystem services.

Suggested Citation

  • Marina García-Llorente & Irene Pérez-Ramírez & Clara Sabán de la Portilla & Carmen Haro & Alejandro Benito, 2019. "Agroecological Strategies for Reactivating the Agrarian Sector: The Case of Agrolab in Madrid," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-19, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:4:p:1181-:d:208526
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hvitsand, Christine & Raanaas, Ruth Kjærsti & Gjøtterud, Sigrid & Nicolaysen, Anna Marie, 2022. "Establishing an Agri-food living lab for sustainability transitions: Methodological insight from a case of strengthening the niche of organic vegetables in the Vestfold region in Norway," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    2. Chris McPhee & Margaret Bancerz & Muriel Mambrini-Doudet & François Chrétien & Christian Huyghe & Javier Gracia-Garza, 2021. "The Defining Characteristics of Agroecosystem Living Labs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-25, February.
    3. Gema Parra & Luis Joaquin Garcia-Lopez & José A. Piqueras & Roberto García, 2022. "Identification of Farmers’ Barriers to Implement Sustainable Management Practices in Olive Groves," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-15, May.
    4. Toffolini, Quentin & Hannachi, Mourad & Capitaine, Mathieu & Cerf, Marianne, 2023. "Ideal-types of experimentation practices in agricultural Living Labs: Various appropriations of an open innovation model," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    5. Sara Nicli & Susanne Ursula Elsen & Armin Bernhard, 2020. "Eco-Social Agriculture for Social Transformation and Environmental Sustainability: A Case Study of the UPAS-Project," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-15, July.
    6. Palomo-Campesino, Sara & García-Llorente, Marina & Hevia, Violeta & Boeraeve, Fanny & Dendoncker, Nicolas & González, José A., 2022. "Do agroecological practices enhance the supply of ecosystem services? A comparison between agroecological and conventional horticultural farms," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    7. Ziegler, Rafael & Balzac-Arroyo, Josephine & Hölsgens, Rick & Holzgreve, Sarah & Lyon, Fergus & Spangenberg, Joachim H. & Thapa, Philipp P., 2022. "Social innovation for biodiversity: A literature review and research challenges," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).

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