The Role of Farmers’ Organizations in the Bioeconomy: The Case of the Argentine Association of Direct Seeding Producers (AAPRESID)

This paper analyzes the bioeconomy innovations carried out by agricultural producers (farmers) who are members of AAPRESID and the role that this producers’ organization plays in the promotion of the bioeconomy. This research was carried out on the basis of interviews with qualified informants and a survey of 142 farmers associated with AAPRESID. This research identified different types of innovations in the bioeconomy, dominated by sustainable (43%) and productive innovations (34%), different factors that enhance them, mainly availability of information, links with scientific and technological organizations, and technical assistance, and the importance of farmers’ associations in promoting the bioeconomy. A typology of agricultural producers according to the level of development of bioeconomy innovations was built. They are significantly related to the level of socio-economic and environmental impacts. The results contribute to define better promotion practices by farmers’ associations, and to improve policies supporting the bioeconomy. This study consolidates approaches to the role of farmers’ associations in relation to the bioeconomy.