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.
Today, apple production is a main family farming activity in South Tyrol, practised on a total area of 19 000 ha with an average landholding of 2.5 ha. Up to 95% of the farmers are members of cooperatives. Over 8 000 small-scale producers have joined together in cooperatives that are clustered to form two main producer organizations. Small farmers in South Tyrol currently produce 50%, 15% and 2% of apples on the Italian, European and global markets respectively.
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.