Informed participatory research, a methodological approach for investigating the potential of organic farming in the transition of food systems

A study on the prospects for organic agriculture in 2025 suggested four possible evolution scenarios ,from the most optimistic, where organic farming would be the main agricultural model , to the most pessimistic ,where organic farming would have been diluted into a new form of sustainable conventional agriculture.Two main elements could lead tothe most pessimistic scenario. The firstelementis the heterogeneity of organic farming(e.g.,different scales, various levels of mechanization ,varying degrees of adherence to agroecological principles) . This diversity complicates organization among farmers and is potentially confusing for consumers. The second element is the development of short food marketing channels that give priority to local products regardlessof their organic farming status .The role of research is not to decide on the best pathway in the transition of farming systems, but toprovide the tools for investigating the possible pathways and for supporting decision-making. In this regard,we developed a series of‘informed participatory research’(IPR)steps designed for use by research centres. IPR combines the classic elements of participatory research and a specific, comprehensive and multi-dimensional assessment of the diversity of farming systems. The method has been implementedin Wallonia,Belgium,where publicinstitutions are supporting a strategic plan for the development of organic farming. The IPRapproach provides a way of integrating technical and social tools within a dynamic framework of analysis and action.