Koproduktion von Wissen in der Entwicklung des Biolandbaus - Einflüsse von Marginalisierung, Anerkennung und Markt

Summary

The empirical analysis of the historical development of transdisciplinary co-production
of knowledge (CPK) in organic agriculture (OA) in Switzerland has revealed three
distinct phases. The initial phase shows various characteristics of transdisciplinary
CPK and a high importance of experiential knowledge. The 2nd and 3rd phases involve
an in-creasing segregation of farmers’, extension agents’, and scientists’ knowledge,
caused by internal and external impacts, i.e. foundation of independent research
institutions, changes in agriculture policy, and new market strategies. These
developments strikingly represent an ambiguous trend: the growing societal and
political recognition of OA and the increasing market, which are positive
achievements, are associated by a gradual loss of very precious forms of CPK. A
successful re-establishment of CPK processes and re-integration of experiential
knowledge would help to resolve this dilemma and thus improve future research in OA
and sustainability research in general.