Title: Fostering shared values in a deliberation between farmers and consumers to promote agroecological transition

Authors: Catherine Milou; Jean-Pierre Del Corso

Addresses: Laboratory for the Study and Research on Economics, Policies and Social Systems, UMR LEREPS-IEP, École Nationale Supérieure de l'Enseignement et de la Formation Agricole, ENSFEA, Manufacture des Tabacs, 21 Allée de Brienne, 31042 Toulouse Cedex, France ' Laboratory for the Study and Research on Economics, Policies and Social Systems, UMR LEREPS-IEP, École Nationale Supérieure de l'Enseignement et de la Formation Agricole, ENSFEA, P.O. Box 22687, 2 Route de Narbonne, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan Cedex, France

Abstract: Agroecological transition requires profound changes in practices and calls for new modes of coordination among the actors involved. Many authors emphasise that this transformation of practices relies on collective learning between actors, which implies the development of innovative approaches. We are interested in the properties of deliberation that foster such learning. More precisely, we focus on its potential to generate shared values that lead actors to reconsider their practices. The originality of this study lies in the use of a mediation tool or 'artefact' during deliberation. We applied this method to a case study on a region where public policies promote agroecological practices. Using the concept of 'quality' as a mediating artefact, we organised deliberations between farmers and consumers. Our results reveal this method to favour the reflexivity of the participants, elicit values, and induce a social learning, making their practices evolve towards agroecology.

Keywords: agroecology; agroecological transition; deliberation; pulses; legumes; farmers; consumers; shared values; social values; social learning; collective learning; food quality; change of practices.

DOI: 10.1504/IJARGE.2023.133341

International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2023 Vol.19 No.1, pp.41 - 63

Received: 22 Aug 2022
Accepted: 16 May 2023
Published online: 12 Sep 2023 *

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