Paper short abstract:

In its support for an "agroecological transition", the French government communicates on a founding principle of agroecology: the recognition of local knowledge (LK) to improve innovations resilience. The paper questions "valuations" of diverse LK, and political choices underlying co-construction.

Paper long abstract:

A founding principle of the original and dissenting definition of "agroecology" (AE) is the recognition of local knowledge relevance to improve the resilience of food systems. Since the 1980s, social movements in developing countries fought for a radical change in food regime, as well as in "knowledge production regime" (Pestre, 2003). The concept of AE circulated from activist spaces to political and scientific spaces (De Schutter, 2011).

An appropriation of AE started in 2012, when the French ministry of agriculture launched a new political dynamic toward an "agroecological transition". This political narrative transformed AE in a new paradigm for agricultural policies. Knowledge "co-construction" appeared as the new innovation path to follow. Many activists and scientists (Altieri, 2005) identified the risk of the redefinition of AE through discourses and policies instruments, accepting controversial technics (e.g. precision farming).

Public policies integrated the initial criticisms voiced by AE activists toward a top-down knowledge production regime. However the references to local knowledge are also resulting from political, scientific and social choices. Particular types of local knowledge are considered and promoted, and specific methods of co-construction are implemented. Power dynamics around knowledge for farming practices are evolving following the recognition of local knowledge relevance, but asymmetries persist. We argue that the French government appropriation of AE transformed its initial political and epistemological dimensions. In order to go beyond a limited analysis of a "reintegration of criticism", we will describe what types of professionals' local knowledge are promoted, and through which knowledge productions dynamics.