Case Study
Biodiversity stewards: towards the creation of a network
Contact name
Silvia De Paulis; Luca Schillaci
Institution name
Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park
Region & country
Regione Abruzzo, Lazio and Marche - Italy
Summary
The Park created a Network of Biodiversity Stewards that included a diverse set of projects aiming to maintain at least the present mountain population, by sustaining mountain farms through acknowledging their role in the land care and mitigating the conflict generated by conservation regulations. Special attention was given to encouraging the involvement of youths in the Network. The projects were also aimed at carrying out research on local cultivars and breeds.
Ente Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga
Ente Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga
Ente Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga
Barisciano, AQ, Italy
Ente Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga
Ente Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga
Background of the project
Local cultivars and breeds, well adapted to local condition but of low profitability, were at risk of extinction. There was a lack of know-how transmission between farmers’ generations, and little knowledge of the ancient varieties’ characteristics. Mountain farming activities were rapidly declining due to low economic competitivity.
Preserving the biodiversity of local cultivars while supporting the income of mountain farms was the core of all projects carried out by the Farming Service of the Park.
Solution and actions taken
The Steward Farmer Network was implemented through individual and group meetings on a small area basis, aimed at raising awareness on the high value of traditional varieties and on seed keeping. Technical training was also offered to farmers and breeders in order to foster the maintenance of mountain farming. A Network of Steward Restaurants was then created, encouraging local restaurants to acquire local products from the Steward Farmers, with mutual advantage for farmers and restaurants.
The first Networking action on ancient cultivars seed saving allowed the Park to ascertain the actual agricultural heritage and triggered farmers’ interest towards acquiring more knowledge and exchanging experience among themselves. The Park role was to provide meeting occasions, technical support, and dissemination of results.
Other institutions or parties involved
- University of Teramo;
- CISA Mario Neri of Imola (Agroenvironmental Research Centre);
- Farmers’ Association.
The projects led to the formation of local producers associations: Patata Turchesa (a potato), Fagiolo di Paganica (a bean), Lenticchia di S. Stefano (a lentil), and more networks in the sausage and cheese sector.
Results
Presently the Network of Biodiversity Stewards includes 401 members (226 crop farmers and 107 livestock breeders). Around 50 local cultivars of annual crops were censused and investigated, and more than 20 fruit varieties.
Challenges
The initial reluctance of farmers was the main difficulty to be faced.
There were also regulatory difficulties, especially at a regional level, where the official acknowledgement of the Network was not implemented.
Lessons learned
The personal engagement of farmers is the most important factor of success, that can promote the involvement of more and more people in the Network.
We can resume it in a simple slogan: “Agricultural biodiversity: live it or leave it!”
Contact name
Silvia De Paulis; Luca Schillaci
Institution name
Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park
Website(s)
