RETHINKING AKIS FOR AGROECOLOGY: THE CASE FOR LOCAL AGROECOLOGICAL DYNAMISATION

Tanya Zerbian; Daniel Olmo Bermúdez; Daniel Lopez Garcia

Todos os Trabalhos

Trabalho

DOI

10.29327/9786527226680.1437443

Título do Trabalho

RETHINKING AKIS FOR AGROECOLOGY: THE CASE FOR LOCAL AGROECOLOGICAL DYNAMISATION

Autores

Tanya Zerbian
Daniel Olmo Bermúdez
Daniel Lopez Garcia

Modalidade

IRSA - Congresso Mundial de Sociologia Rural (01/10/2025 a 20/01/2026)

Área temática

IRSA 12 - Building a Sociology of Agroecology

Data de Publicação

06/08/2026

País da Publicação

Brasil

Idioma da Publicação

pt-BR

Página do Trabalho

https://www.even3.com.br/anais/sober-irsa2026/1437443-rethinking-akis-for-agroecology--the-case-for-local-agroecological-dynamisation

ISBN

978-65-272-2668-0

Palavras-Chave

AKIS, agroecological transitions, knowledge, innovation, agroecology

Resumo

Agroecological transitions involve dynamic yet transformative processes that reshape how agri-food systems function, are governed and organised – through shifts in technologies, infrastructures, cultures, rules, values, institutions and practices – towards more sustainable, fair and resilient models. Within this context, Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), and particularly advisory services, have been highlighted as a crucial leverage point. However, existing studies underline the persistence of linear knowledge and innovation dynamics in many AKIS, constraining their potential to support agroecological transitions. The latter emphasise AKIS that foster plural knowledge systems and bottom-up innovation processes. Drawing on ongoing research involving interviews with approximately 80 agroecology-oriented farmers across four Spanish territories, this paper seeks to advance a renewed conceptualisation of AKIS in practice and theory through the lens of agroecology. Preliminary findings challenge the dominant role of advisors as prescribers of technical solutions or experts who transfer standardised knowledge. Farmers transitioning to agroecology – or initiating small-scale agroecological projects – often demonstrate strong agronomic and ecological expertise and require more context-specific support related to organisational, marketing or social innovation. They particularly highlight the importance of territorial connections, problem-solving multi-actor networks, and access to collaborative spaces conducive to experimentation. These findings point to the need for advisory roles that move beyond technical prescription towards facilitating linkages between actors, mobilising territorial resources and enabling multi-actor processes open to disruptive forms of innovation. Building on this, and in dialogue with previous research, the paper further theorises the concept of Local Agroecological Dynamisation (LAeD) to unpack the role of intermediaries who broker relationships and connect fragmented – yet potentially reconcilable – worlds, supporting convergence between different knowledges, needs and aspirations for agroecological transitions. The tensions associated with this role are also examined, particularly regarding power relations, institutional constraints and the dynamics of subalternity within AKIS.

Título do Evento: 16th World Congress of Rural Sociology and 64th Congress of the Brazilian Society of Rural Economics, Management and Sociology
Cidade do Evento: Porto Alegre
Título dos Anais do Evento: Anais do 64º Congresso da SOBER e XVI Congresso Mundial de Sociologia Rural (IRSA)
Nome da Editora: Even3
Meio de Divulgação: Meio Digital
DOI

Como citar

ZERBIAN, Tanya; BERMÚDEZ, Daniel Olmo; GARCIA, Daniel Lopez. RETHINKING AKIS FOR AGROECOLOGY: THE CASE FOR LOCAL AGROECOLOGICAL DYNAMISATION.. In: Anais do 64º Congresso da SOBER e XVI Congresso Mundial de Sociologia Rural (IRSA). Anais...Porto Alegre(RS) UFRGS, 2026. Disponível em: https//www.even3.com.br/anais/sober-irsa2026/1437443-RETHINKING-AKIS-FOR-AGROECOLOGY--THE-CASE-FOR-LOCAL-AGROECOLOGICAL-DYNAMISATION. Acesso em: 31/08/2026