AGROECOLOGICAL TRANSITION AND EVALUATION OF THE ADDED VALUE OF GRASSLAND-BASED LIVESTOCK FARMING SYSTEMS

This thesis explores the agroecological transition and the evaluation of the added value of grassland-based livestock farming systems, particularly in the context of mountain areas. Given the environmental concerns associated with intensive farming, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion, agroecology offers a sustainable alternative by reducing external chemical inputs and enhancing ecosystem services. Grassland-based livestock farming, which occupies a significant portion of global agricultural land, is assessed as a model for implementing agroecological principles, especially in marginalized mountainous areas. The aim of this thesis is to support the agroecological transition through the evaluation of the added values of grassland-based farming systems. To meet this objective, this thesis employed different approaches: i) the analysis of milk and meat from local sheep breeds, to highlight added value of their management and propose production guidelines and marketing strategies to increase consumers’ awareness; ii) a critical review of existing agroecological indicators to identify gaps and to develop a framework for evaluating grassland-based farming systems; iii) an on-farm survey to test the previously identified indicators in grassland-based farming systems and their effectiveness in describing an agroecological management. The conclusions underscore the value of grassland-based livestock systems in promoting agroecological transitions. However, the research calls for further development of tailored assessment tools and stronger policy support to facilitate the broader adoption of agroecological practices in marginalized areas.