Since the Green Revolution, worldwide agriculture has been characterized by a typical top–down approach. The degree of autonomy, creativity, and responsibility of farmers has been limited by the continuous external inputs of chemicals, machinery, advice, subsidies and knowledge. The issue of sustainability has brought complexity and uncertainty to this mainly linear process of innovation, steering agriculture toward alternative models. Agroecology represents an innovative paradigm of agriculture in which external inputs are minimized, and the assets of the farm are greatly valued. Agroecological production relies on the farmers’ direct management of resources and on their active engagement in the agricultural knowledge and innovation system. This paper focuses on the experience of a group of farmers, scientists, public officials, and managers of private companies who are experimenting with agroecology in rice production in one of the most intensively farmed, profitable and environmentally sensitive areas of Italy. The partnership regularly comes together to discuss agricultural techniques and results, needs, and paths of innovation; in addition, it stimulates and takes part in research projects, following a participatory process based on co-learning and mutual responsibility. By using ethnographic methods such as direct observations and in-depth interviews, our work may contribute to understanding the role of participatory research in sustainable agriculture and what makes for good participation.

中文翻译：

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可持续农业的参与性研究：意大利农业生态水稻网络案例

自绿色革命以来，全球农业一直以典型的自上而下的方式为特征。农民的自主性、创造力和责任感受到化学品、机械、建议、补贴和知识的持续外部投入的限制。可持续性问题给这个主要是线性的创新过程带来了复杂性和不确定性，引导农业转向替代模式。生态农业代表了一种创新的农业范式，在这种范式中，外部投入被最小化，农场的资产得到了极大的重视。农业生态生产依赖于农民对资源的直接管理以及他们对农业知识和创新系统的积极参与。本文侧重于一群农民、科学家、公职人员的经验，和私营公司的经理，他们正在意大利农业最集约化、利润最高和环境敏感的地区之一的水稻生产中试验农业生态学。伙伴关系定期聚在一起讨论农业技术和结果、需求和创新路径；此外，它还鼓励和参与研究项目，遵循基于共同学习和相互责任的参与过程。通过使用直接观察和深入访谈等民族志方法，我们的工作可能有助于理解参与式研究在可持续农业中的作用以及良好参与的要素。伙伴关系定期聚在一起讨论农业技术和结果、需求和创新路径；此外，它还鼓励和参与研究项目，遵循基于共同学习和相互责任的参与过程。通过使用直接观察和深入访谈等民族志方法，我们的工作可能有助于理解参与式研究在可持续农业中的作用以及良好参与的要素。伙伴关系定期聚在一起讨论农业技术和结果、需求和创新路径；此外，它还鼓励和参与研究项目，遵循基于共同学习和相互责任的参与过程。通过使用直接观察和深入访谈等民族志方法，我们的工作可能有助于理解参与式研究在可持续农业中的作用以及良好参与的要素。