Türkiye'de agroekoloji: Farkli tanimlar, algilar ve söylemlerin belirlenmesi

Scientific and public attention to agroecology is rising given the accelerating adverse social and ecological consequences of industrial agriculture. Defined as a science, a practice and a social movement, agroecology is conceptualized differently by various stakeholders. Recently, a growing number of stakeholders started to promote agroecology in Türkiye. However, the different understandings and definitions adopted by these actors lead to confusion and a risk of cooptation by the dominant actors of the corporate food regime. Hence, this study aimed to identify the different perceptions, definitions, and discourses surrounding agroecology in Türkiye to capture its potential and limitations. The study employed a mixed-method approach, via participant observation, an online survey with 59 participants, and follow-up in-depth interviews. Exploratory Factor Analysis used to analyze the survey revealed three distinct discourses on agroecology in Türkiye: Transformative, Reformist, and Laissez-Faire Approach to Agroecology. Accordingly, Transformative Agroecology is a discourse concerned with alternatives to the corporate food regime with a focus on justice and social movements. In contrast, the Laissez-Faire approach envisions an agroecology within the boundaries of the corporate agri-food regime prioritizing markets without any government intervention. Reformist Agroecology offers a middle way based on gradual reforms for fine-tuning industrial agriculture and improving its social and ecological performance. The study cautions against the emerging threat of co-optation of agroecology by mainstream actors of the corporate agri-food regime via the discourses of Laissez-Faire and Reformist Agroecology.