Apple-producing family farms in South Tyrol - An agricultural innovative case study

Apple production in South Tyrol is a true illustration of a vibrant agricultural innovation system. It is a collaborative and pluralistic structure that comprises private and public actors, different tiers of producer organizations, cooperatives, research, extension and advisory services, all geared towards integrating small-scale apple producers in a highly productive, profitable and efficient system. The cooperative culture, the diversity of services, the multiple actors and their changing roles within the system offer a good opportunity for learning about the dynamics of agricultural innovation. This paper presents the evolution of this agricultural innovation system, and analyses the triggers and the drivers of innovation in the apple production sector in South Tyrol.