Investigating the potential of the Organic District model for large-scale sustainable agri-food system transformation and rural revitalization

• Project/Area Number: 25K18315
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 41020:Rural sociology and agricultural structure-related
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: ZOLLET SIMONA 広島大学, 人間社会科学研究科(総), 助教 (60910297)
• Project Period (FY): 2025-04-01 – 2030-03-31
• Project Status: Granted (Fiscal Year 2025)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,810,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,110,000); Fiscal Year 2029: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000); Fiscal Year 2028: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000); Fiscal Year 2027: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000); Fiscal Year 2026: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000); Fiscal Year 2025: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000)
• Keywords: organic farming / organic districts / sustainable food systems

Outline of Research at the Start

Organic districts are innovative sustainable rural development models that seek to promote organic farming and local food systems on a large scale and integrate ecological, economic, and social sustainability. This study will investigate the 1) establishment process, 2) governance structure, and 3) best practices of organic districts in Italy. While the research focuses primarily on the Italian context, it will also consider the international relevance of organic districts as a sustainable rural development model, with specific focus on Japan and the emerging ‘Organic Villages’ initiative.