AUTHOR=Stotten Rike , Froning Paul 

TITLE=Territorial rural development strategies based on organic agriculture: the example of Valposchiavo, Switzerland

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

VOLUME=Volume 7 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1182993

DOI=10.3389/fsufs.2023.1182993

ISSN=2571-581X

ABSTRACT=The disembedding nature of globalization is being tackled by integrated and territorial approaches that focus on local contexts and include multiple actors and sectors. One example are biodistricts that rely on values of organic agriculture to strengthen territorial agro-food systems. The remote rural mountain valley of Valposchiavo, Switzerland, follows such a territorial approach and is subject of this case study. In this article we aim to understand in detail the processes of territorial development strategies in Valposchiavo. To shed light on the development approach, we used the theoretical con-cept of neo-endogenous development by Ray. We conducted document analysis, secondary interview analysis as well as problem-centred interviews. The results indicate that the rural development ap-proach follows a neo-endogenous development that renews rural-urban linkages by developing inter-nal and external networks. The creation of a territorial brand and a regional development project con-tribute to the establishment of local and organic agro-food supply chains. The territorial development approach in Valposchiavo demonstrates how remote mountain areas can shape the well-being of their community and tackle negative impacts of globalization.