Integrated Socio-Ecological Approach to Farmer Empowerment in Agroecology Transition

Scientific Objective and Scope Our research group at Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania) offers a transdisciplinary framework designed to bridge the gap between biophysical soil health indicators and the socio-economic drivers of the agroecological transition. Our scientific interest is centered on the holistic empowerment of farmers, treating them not as passive adopters, but as active co-innovators within the European food system.
Core Research Pillars and Methodologies:
Quantitative Assessment of Soil-Crops Dynamics: We provide rigorous scientific monitoring of soil health transitions. This includes analyzing the functional biodiversity of soil biota, enzymatic activity, and carbon sequestration potential under diversified cropping systems (cover crops, no-till, organic amendments). Our research aims to establish a direct link between regenerative practices and long-term agro-ecosystem resilience.
Socio-Technical and Behavioral Transition Dynamics: We utilize advanced socio-economic modeling to evaluate the "human factor" in agroecology. Our focus is on the development of social entrepreneurship models and the identification of behavioral leverage points that facilitate the transition. We analyze how economic incentives, social capital, and risk-mitigation strategies influence the decision-making processes of farm managers.
Systemic Multi-Actor Co-Creation (Living Labs): We specialize in the implementation of Living Labs as a methodology for knowledge co-creation. By integrating tactical field data with strategic business logic, we facilitate a bottom-up approach where scientific innovations are validated through real-world farming constraints, ensuring both ecological efficiency and economic viability.
Contribution to the Consortium: We propose to contribute to the project by integrating biophysical monitoring with socio-economic impact assessments. Our team is equipped to:
Lead Research Tasks focused on the synergy between soil biological health and farm-level entrepreneurial resilience.
Provide Comparative Data from the North-Eastern European (Baltic) pedoclimatic zone, enhancing the project's geographical and systemic diversity.
Validate Policy and Governance Models through the lens of social innovation, helping to scale agroecological practices from individual farms to regional value chains.
Infrastructure and Scientific Environment: Our team operates within the VMU Agriculture Academy, utilizing state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for soil microbiology and a vast network of long-term experimental plots. We maintain strong institutional links with national agricultural advisory services and farmers' associations, ensuring high-impact dissemination and stakeholder engagement.

Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) is the key national institution for research and studies in the fields of agriculture and forestry in Lithuania. The Academy is dedicated to developing and disseminating scientific knowledge aimed at the sustainable use of land, forest, and water resources, as well as the continuous development of the bioeconomy. VMU AA serves as a strategic center for agricultural science, fostering innovations that align with the European Green Deal and the global challenges of climate change.
A fundamental part of the Academy’s research infrastructure is the VMU AA Experimental Station. It is one of the most significant sites for long-term agricultural experiments in the Baltic region. The station is specialized in conducting complex research on agroecosystems, including the development of sustainable cropping systems, soil health monitoring, and the evaluation of ecological farming practices. It provides the necessary facilities for high-level scientific research, featuring diverse crop rotation experiments and specialized laboratories for agrobiological.
VMU AA excels in integrating field-based research with the practical needs of the agricultural sector. Through its extensive network of experimental plots and professional expertise, the Academy facilitates the transfer of scientific innovations to farmers and rural developers. By combining long-term experimental data with modern interdisciplinary approaches in social and environmental sciences, VMU AA provides a comprehensive platform for the transition towards sustainable and resilient agroecology.