Speaker
Description
the legacies of apulians land reform landscapes in the agrofood system between regenerations, abandoned land and new agroecological practices.
This thesis focuses on the legacies and material transformations of landscapes - which characterise the contemporary South of Italy - and which were affected by the land reform and the support of the “Cassa per il Mezzogiorno”.
The land reform of the 1950s in Puglia, a region in southern Italy, marked a significant change in the agri-food system. The reform aimed to redistribute land to small farmers and overcome the latifundist system, thereby reducing social inequalities and increasing agricultural productivity. However, thirty years later, Francesco Donati - in his essay "The assignees: analysis of five thousand households" - identifies some unsuccessful results. Over the decades, the legacies of this reform have manifested themselves in various ways, influencing the landscape, agricultural practices and socio-economic conditions (De Leo, 2009).
However, one of the most significant changes in the southern agricultural landscape (Lanzani, 2003) has been the inevitable specialisation of some agricultural areas, resulting in several hectares of monoculture (the Murgia - and the whole of Puglia - for olives, the Tavoliere for vegetables and wheat, the Arneo for watermelons and tomatoes).
Despite initial successes, one of the immediate limitations was the progressive abandonment of the land: economic pressures, migration to the cities and the attraction of industrial jobs led many workers to leave the agricultural areas. This abandonment had significant environmental and socio-economic consequences. From an ecological point of view, for example, some of these irrigated areas were planted close to natural coastal areas, which are now in serious crisis due to salinisation. Or abandoned land, farms and rural villages that are more prone to fire. However, these abandoned areas are now 'cold spots' where biodiversity has increased enormously and which can offer new opportunities for agro-ecological practices, organic production and innovative land-use strategies.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in agroecological practices as a means of addressing the challenges of land abandonment and promoting sustainable agriculture. Agroecology emphasises the integration of ecological principles into agricultural practices, focusing on biodiversity, soil health and sustainable resource management.In Apulia, initiatives such as agroforestry, permaculture and community-supported agriculture have gained ground.These practices not only improve agricultural productivity, but also contribute to the resilience of the agri-food system, foster local food networks, reduce dependence on external inputs and promote social cohesion.Several cooperatives and new young farmers are experimenting with practices to maintain soil moisture (crucial in the summer months). In conclusion, the adoption of new agro-ecological practices offers a promising way forward for Puglia's agri-food system. By building on traditional knowledge and integrating modern ecological principles, these practices can help revitalise abandoned and degraded land, support local economies and promote sustainable food production.
Moreover, by aligning with global efforts to address climate change, biodiversity loss and food security, it is possible to position Apulia as a model for sustainable agricultural development, building on the foundations and legacies of agrarian reform, seen as the greatest wealth redistribution strategy.
References
Barberis, Corrado, Giovanni Marcora, Michele Bottalico, e Giuseppe Medici. 1979. La riforma fondiaria: trent’anni dopo. Collana Insor-Istituto nazionale di sociologia rurale 6. Milano: Franco Angeli.
Boatti, G. 2014. Un paese ben coltivato: viaggio nell’Italia che torna alla terra e, forse, a se stessa. I Robinson. GLF editori Laterza.
Calvitti, Maurizio, Nicola Colonna, e Massimo Iannetta. 2016. «La relazione cambiamenti climatici e sistema agricolo: tra adattamento e mitigazione». La relazione cambiamenti climatici e sistema agricolo: tra adattamento e mitigazione, Energia ambiente e innovazione, 1 (gennaio):74–81.
Cortignani, Raffaele, e Gabriele. Dono (2018). «Agricultural Policy and Climate Change: An Integrated Assessment of the Impacts on an Agricultural Area of Southern Italy». Environmental Science and Policy 81:26–35.
De Leo, Raffaele (2009). Riforma agraria e politiche disviluppo. L’esperienza in Puglia, Lucania e Molise (1951-1976). Deputazione di storia patria per la Lucania. Il Mezzogiorno. Antezza.
Gabellieri, Nicola (2017). «The Italian Agrarian reform between small property, commons and consortium management (1951-65)». Quaderni Storici 52 (2): 471–98.
Lanzani, Arturo (2003). I paesaggi italiani. Meltemi.
Scoppola Jacopini, Luigi (2019). La Cassa per il Mezzogiorno e la politica. 1950-1986. Prima edizione. Itinerari Laterza. Gius.Laterza & Figli Spa.
| Keywords | land reform - agroecological practices - agrarian landscapes |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
