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Socioeconomic and political-cultural criteria for Agroecology: learnings from Participatory Guarantee Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Mamen Cuéllar-Padilla

    (Cordoba University)

  • Isabel Haro Pérez

    (Cordoba University)

  • Marina Masso Tarditti

    (University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia)

  • Lara P. Román Bermejo

    (Observatorio Para Una Cultura del Territorio)

  • José Ramón Mauleón

    (Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU))

Abstract

A central debate of Agroecology is the incorporation of socioeconomic and political-cultural criteria in the evaluation of agri-food sustainability. However, the way to define and evaluate these criteria remains an unexplored terrain. In this paper, we aim to systematise how these dimensions are being defined and evaluated through the analysis of 8 initiatives of Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) considered to be part of the agroecological movement in Spain. This analysis identifies those criteria that are commonplace, widely recognised and evaluated by the PGS sample. An in-depth, qualitative analysis of the difficulties that PGS are encountering in defining and evaluating these criteria provides an insight into the complexity of the task. The analysis reveals the hurdles to overcome to better define Agroecology at a supralocal level in order to promote its scaling up and out.

Suggested Citation

  • Mamen Cuéllar-Padilla & Isabel Haro Pérez & Marina Masso Tarditti & Lara P. Román Bermejo & José Ramón Mauleón, 2025. "Socioeconomic and political-cultural criteria for Agroecology: learnings from Participatory Guarantee Systems," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 42(2), pages 1027-1043, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:agrhuv:v:42:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s10460-024-10656-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10460-024-10656-2
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