Organic farming and biodistricts. The experience of Val Camonica

Abstract

The article deals with “Organic agriculture and bio-districts. The experience of Val Camonica”, placing the theme in the economic, social and territorial framework discussed by the authors. The Biodistrict of Val Camonica is one of the 16 present in Italy supported by the Italian Association for Organic Agriculture (AIAB). The Biodistrict of Val Camonica guarantees the presence of these requirements; in particular, it meets that of the representativeness of the biological sector as the percentage of organic SAU (14.5%) is much higher than the regional average (2.1%) (Sturla, 2017). A preliminary reading of the field survey The biological farms surveyed reflect the average structure of the farm in the Camun valley, characterized by small or very small farms mostly devoted to the cultivation of vines, vegetable, and minor cereals. These companies are not market-oriented, which benefit a lot of associations, and therefore welcomed the creation of the Val Camonica Bio association. This incessant action of animation has made the number of biological companies belonging to Val Camonica Bio expand constantly. Much of the companies, even among those belonging to the Val Camonica Bio association, can count on the support of collective subjects already structured and rooted in the territory.

Keywords

agriculture; biodistricts; social economy; human capital; governance; Italy

JEL codes

Q13; Q18; Q12