Valori morali, pratiche agricole e costruzione di unpaesaggio: la mappa etica delle Terre dell’Ebro

This article explores the ethical complexity of contemporary agriculture through a case study in charting the moral economies of the Ebro’s Farmers, Catalonia. Starting from the anthropological premise that economic actions are always imbued with moral values, the essay opposes a reductionist view of ‘good’ and ‘evil’ based solely on market calculations. Based on the results of ethnographic research in the area of Terres de l’Ebre, the contribution constructs an “ethical map” that reveals the multiple and often conflicting value systems that shape the agricultural landscape. The analysis reveals a complex moral arena, articulated along different lines of tension: the dialectic between compliance with European regulations and pragmatic disobedience; the oscillation between cooperation within cooperatives in crisis and competitive fragmentation; the moral boundaries between community inclusion and the exclusion of actors such as migrant workers; and the value conflicts between generations, such a the contrast between an “orderly” field and one that favors biodiversity. The map shows that what is considered ‘good’ or ‘right’ is positional and contextual, reflecting competing “moral economies.” In conclusion, the article argues that ethical mapping is a crucial tool for researchers and policy makers, as it allows for an understanding of the moral logics underlying agricultural practices. This approach makes it possible to overcome top-down policies and to design more just, effective and sustainable interventions, recognizing rural communities as complex moral subjects.