Sociotechnical barriers to the development of social farming
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Against a backdrop of economic, ecological, and social crisis, the role of agriculture has diversified, assuming a multifunctional nature. Thus, in addition to fulfilling its primary function of producing food, agriculture also plays an important role in the social domain, offering services to disadvantaged people at risk of marginalization. Despite the fact that social farming (SF) offers numerous benefits to society, it faces several challenges related to the complex interaction needed among all stakeholders involved in its development. Our paper sheds light on the barriers hindering the smooth collaboration and cooperation among the stakeholders involved. In fact, according to the Quadruple Helix model, every actor may exchange resources, competences, and experiences, allowing the development of the innovation and pursuit of a well-integrated stakeholders interplay. Therefore, the aim of the article is twofold. First, it provides a theoretical framework to grasp the complexity of the phenomenon and to explore its dynamics. Consequently, through the multi-actor dialogue, obstacles have been identified, and stakeholders become aware of the contribution they may provide in the short and long terms in order to overcome them. According to the literature, several barriers have already been identified and are relevant regardless of specific local conditions. Therefore, the focus of the present study is to propose a methodology capable of analyzing the complex interaction within the multi-actor interplay in order to elicit the specific barriers playing a relevant role at the study case level. The theoretical basis is represented by the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP); conceiving SF as a radical (social) innovation meant to generate personal services according to an innovative paradigm with respect to current practices. The methodological approach adopted is a participative one, which is concretely adopted through the observation and critical analysis of the multi-actor dialogue, simulated through focus groups designed on the “Living Lab Role Play” model. The main findings of this study shed light on the barriers emerged from the participatory experience, representing the factual evidence to elaborate on possible interventions aimed at fostering the development of the innovation. We conducted field research in Foggia province (Southern Italy), and we involved farmers, social enterprises, health-welfare-social institutions, consultants, families of disadvantaged people, and the creative industry. The most significant barriers that emerged are represented by the lack of knowledge about SF and the benefits of carrying out activities related to it—the lack of economic support in the long term—aimed at recruiting personnel specialized in therapies to work on social farms. In addition, we also found the lack of bridging between public institutions, the scarce awareness of stakeholders about the importance of their role, and the absence of a protected space favorable to the development of the innovation niche. Finally, the interaction among the participants raised the awareness of SF outcomes and their advantages compared to alternative practices, with a positive impact in raising the dignity of farms carrying out this multifunctional activity.
Institution: University of Foggia
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,180
OpenAlex ID: W4411506005