Keywords :

Organic viticulture–integrated analysis of the conversion to organic agriculture

Organic agriculture (OA) is an ideal framework for setting up more sustainable cropping systems, especially for viticultural systems in which pesticide treatments are substantially used. OA conversions are occurring at a fast pace in viticulture, especially in Mediterranean vineyards (+ 20% between 2006 and 2008 according to Agence Bio) even though the knowledge and tools required to analyse, predict and support this change are not yet operational. Demand is currently high from farmers and extension agents, as well as companies and cooperatives. To fill this gap, the hypothesis was put forward that an integrated approach to the biophysical, technical, socioeconomic and organizational dynamics involved in the OA conversion phase (before, during the 3 year regulatory period, and after) could enhance the sustainability of this innovation.

The development of such an approach is based on conceptual modelling of viticultural systems in the process of being converted to OA, with the aim of formalizing scientific and expert knowledge on viticultural systems. The approach requires on one side to identify relevant indicators for monitoring the OA conversion process. Moreover, it involves modelling the functioning of a viticultural system during the conversion phase with respect to the dynamics of the biophysical processes (plot scale) and the technical and decision dynamics (farm scale). The expected results are in four areas: i) enhanced understanding of the OA conversion process, ii) identification of analysis and conversion management indicators and implementation of a formal systems analysis approach to viticultural systems, iii) setting up a network of OA viticultural farms and plots for long-term monitoring of the conversion impact, and iv) the formalization of knowledge required for drawing up guideline sheets and professional training to support conversion to OA.