Knowledge Networks in Organic Fruit Production across Europe: A Survey Study

Eligio Malusà, Ewa M. Furmanczyk, Małgorzata Tartanus, Gerjan Brouwer, Claude-Eric Parveaud, François Warlop, Markus Kelderer, Jutta Kienzle, Evelyne Alcazar Marin, Teun Dekker, Radek Vávra, Vincenzo Verrastro, Hanne Lindhard Pedersen, Clémence Boutry, Michael Friedli and Marco Schlüter
Additional contact information
Eligio Malusà: The National Institute of Horticultural Research, 96-100 Skierniewice, Poland
Ewa M. Furmanczyk: The National Institute of Horticultural Research, 96-100 Skierniewice, Poland
Małgorzata Tartanus: The National Institute of Horticultural Research, 96-100 Skierniewice, Poland
Gerjan Brouwer: Delphy B.V., 6700 CA Wageningen, The Netherlands
Claude-Eric Parveaud: Groupe de Recherche en Agriculture Biologique, 84 911 Avignon, France
François Warlop: Groupe de Recherche en Agriculture Biologique, 84 911 Avignon, France
Markus Kelderer: Centro di Sperimentazione Laimburg, 39040 Auer, Italy
Jutta Kienzle: Fordergemeinschaft Okologischer Obstbau EV, 74189 Weinsberg, Germany
Evelyne Alcazar Marin: Asociación ECOVALIA, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
Teun Dekker: Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet, 750 07 Upssala, Sweden
Radek Vávra: Vyzkumny a Slechtitelsky Ustav Ovocnarsky Holovousy s.r.o., 508 01 Holovousy, Czech Republic
Vincenzo Verrastro: Centro Internazionale di Alti Studi Agronomici Mediterranei, 70010 Valenzano, Italy
Hanne Lindhard Pedersen: HortiAdvice, 5250 Odense, Denmark
Clémence Boutry: Forschungsinstitut für Biologischen Landbau FiBL, 5070 Frick, Switzerland
Michael Friedli: Forschungsinstitut für Biologischen Landbau FiBL, 5070 Frick, Switzerland
Marco Schlüter: Naturland—Verband für ökologischen Landbau e.V., 82166 Gräfelfing, Germany

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-17

Abstract: Limited data regarding the resources and methods used by organic fruit growers to learn about production practices are available, even though this information is crucial to improving the efficacy of knowledge transfer. Therefore, a survey to gain information from knowledge networks dealing with organic fruit production about their structural organisation, tasks and methods of communication was carried out in twenty-one countries from Europe and the Mediterranean basin. A total of 56 networks representing about 42,500 professionals were identified as a result of the survey. The vast majority of them were only active at the regional or national level and were composed of farmers, advisors and researchers. About 3/4 of the networks were developing improved strategies for agronomic practices and about half of them were also involved in different knowledge-transfer activities between their members. Personal contact was the most used method to exchange and disseminate information within the networks as well as to elaborate improved strategies. The findings were analysed in view of the methods and practices commonly used to share both explicit (scientific) and implicit (practical) knowledge among practitioners. It was concluded that knowledge networks play an important role in the development of more resilient organic cropping systems, frequently making organic fruit growers the drivers of innovation. Networking for knowledge exchange was considered a process that encourages the active involvement of farmers in experimentation and innovation applying a method of knowledge sharing that is rooted in the very foundation of organic philosophy. Some recommendations and future research were suggested to further foster the development and functioning of networks for knowledge exchange.

Keywords: pome fruits; stone fruits; citrus; informal knowledge (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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