Winegrowers’ Perceptions and Adoption of Sustainable Soil Management
Practices and Technologies: A Case Study in Piedmont, Italy
Abstract
Soil, vital for human life, faces threats like erosion, floods, organic
matter loss, salinisation, contamination, compaction, sealing, and
biodiversity loss. Soil cover, especially through crops, combats erosion
and enhances structure. The IN-GEST SOIL project, focused on mitigating
soil erosion and enhancing soil and vine quality in Piedmont vineyards
(NW Italy), conducted a study exploring the perceptions and behaviors of
winegrowers in this Italian region. Adopting a mixed-methods research
approach, the study included a questionnaire administered to 72
winegrowers, with 22 participating in subsequent focus groups, to
investigate the perceived causes of soil erosion and adoption of
potential preventive measures. The results showed that most participants
were aware of soil degradation phenomena in their vineyards. Grass cover
was adopted as a soil management practice, even though much information
about soil degradation risks and related solutions is necessary,
especially knowledge and indication on how to correctly use management
practices and technical solutions that can contribute to soil
conservation, to avoid a misuse that may results, on the contrary, in
increased soil degradation. Even though some differences in perceptions
emerged based on vineyards’ characteristics, the present study
highlighted the need to encourage the adoption of soil protection
practices and technologies, spread access to economic support, and help
winegrowers’ transition toward a more sustainable farming paradigm. In
addition to the findings related to the objectives, this study
demonstrated the usefulness of a mixed methods research approach, which
is uniquely capable of providing both extensive and statistically
relevant information and intensive, narrative insights.