Agroecology and back-to-land migration in Turkey: Asset or obstacle?

Abstract

Through semi-structured interviews with 83 back-to-landers, this paper examines how differences in preferred production practices shape relations between these newcomers and the locals. The paper shows that production practices are more than just production practices; they signal identity: For both locals and back-to-landers, if someone is an agroecological producer, they are more likely to be a back-to-lander; and if they engage in conventional agriculture, they are more likely to be a local. That said, because back-to-landers usually come from non-agricultural backgrounds, they tend to rely on locals for skill, experience, and traditional knowledges critical for agroecology. Tapping into locals' social networks, however, is challenging given that two groups have different preferred production practices - and identities. To bridge this gap, back-to-landers follow a variety of strategies, none of which are failsafe. In the long run, the differences in preferred production practices (and by proxy, identities) often lead to disagreements, sometimes escalating into conflicts. Switch to agroecology among locals as well as integration into social networks - of either side's and for either side - remain tenuous.TÜBİTA