Economic sustainability of early potato production in the Mediterranean area

The interactions between a given commercial enterpr ise, its territory and development, have become a key issue in recent years. Theories of economic dev elopment tell us that a territory may undergo development provided viable, economically sustainab le commercial activities exist. Based on the latter postulate, the present paper analyzes the economic sustainability of farming enterprises growing early potatoes in a Mediterranean setting. In particular, the study was conducted in south-eastern Sicily, island in the centre of the Mediterranean. The resu lts underscore their modest profitability, mainly d ue to a lack of entrepreneurial strategies aimed at en hancing production. This situati…

1.1 Finalità e scopo dell'indagine

Evaluation of payment for ecosystem services in Mediterraneanforest: An empirical survey

Abstract The relationship between humans and the forest has always been an important element, sometimes characterizing in the history of man himself. During the last years, the socio-economic context is profoundly changed, diversifying economic services provided by the forest. In the past, in fact, the primary function of the forest was the firewood production, while nowadays it grants several socio-economic benefits such as climate change mitigation, soil protection, protection and conservation of biodiversity, landscaping and recreational value. So, in recent decades a new type of socio-economic interest was developed in order to create a market of goods and services for the forests, call…

L'agricoltura nell'economia nazionale: un'analisi attraverso indicatori macroeconomici

Economic assessment of sicilian loquat orchards

The majority of Italian production of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) derives from the Palermo province, along the northern Sicilian coast. However, this area is characterized by family orchards, traditional cultural techniques, and inadequate commercial organization. These appear to affect negatively the production costs and reduce the farmers’ income, decreasing the competitiveness of Sicilian loquat orchards. This study evaluates the economic viability of Sicilian loquat orchards by means of cost-benefit analysis (CBA). In particular, for the investment assessment some financial indicators have been calculated such as net present value (NPV), discounted payback time (DPBT), and internal r…

Long-term changes in business models in inland and mountainous areas for the promotion of sustainable food systems

For the management of inland and mountainous areas to be economically viable, business activities in these environments must provide sufficient income for the local population without jeopardising the interests of future generations. In purely economic terms, the management of these areas requires that the production of such goods and services that constitute utility flows for an ecosystem and its local population be economically viable. This management must be able to provide an income for the local population; it cannot only support the costs inevitably incurred for the conservation and production of goods and services provided by the activities that take place in the mountain area. This …

La produzione di tonno nel mondo , nell'Unione europea e in Italia

ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF MEDITERRANEAN SEA BASS FARMS ACCORDING TO MARKET TYPOLOGY

Italy represents one of the main production countries of European sea bass and, in this context, Sicilian fish farms play a key role. Since in the last years the economic development has led to an increasingly globalized market, in this paper it has been carried out an economic evaluation of two Sicilian European sea bass farms according to the market typology in which their product is allocated: competitive and oligopolistic market. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis allows to understand how market prices could influence farm economic performances. Results showed higher profit for farm that sold product in oligopolistic market, even if sensitivity analysis highlighted that both farms were ve…

STRATEGY TO INCREASE THE FARM COMPETITIVENESS

Italy’s wine-growing production structure is highly pulverized. So, for many wine-growing farms loweri ng the production cost represents the only way of gain ing a competitive advantage. Production at average unit costs lower than competitors allows to improve prof itability. Among farming operations, winter pruning and tying of productive vine-branches require a high hu man labor. For this reason the paper presents the r esults of research conducted on a sample of Sicilian wine- producing farms in order to study the cost-effectiv eness to make the pruning and the subsequent ligation of productive branches with tools that facilitate the work. The economic analysis, after the determination o…

1.5 I costi di impianto del vigneto.

RISULTATI ECONOMICI DI GESTIONE

Assessment of Italian energy policy through the study of a photovoltaic investment on greenhouse

The production of energy from renewable sources is a form of energy production that has less impact on the environment than the traditional one. For the farmer this new form of production represents an opportunity, especially for the economic benefits that can produce, both in terms of the incentives provided by the public operator and for higher revenues, deriving from the energy sale and/or the saving generated by self-consumed energy, that help to integrate the farmer’s income. In this paper, we analyzed a case study of a farm that has realized a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system on greenhouse. In particular, firstly the farm profitability and subsequently was estimated in order to…

CARATTERI STRUTTURALI, AGRONOMICI E PRODUTTIVI DEGLI IMPIANTI VITICOLI ESAMINATI

Misura delle performance finanziarie e patrimoniali delle aziende agricole: proposta operativa per un nuovo modello di rating per le aziende agricole

La profonda evoluzione dei sistemi agricoli negli ultimi anni hanno accresciuto l'attenzione di tutti gli attori istituzionali ed economici rispetto alla problematica dell'accesso al credito per le imprese. Nel passato molto spesso il credito in agricoltura ha usufruito di regimi "speciali"; con l'implementazione delle regole di Basilea 2 (più di recente Basilea 3), le condizioni per l'accesso al credito si sono notevolmente irrigidite. Nell'ambito del settore agricolo, la pressoché assenza di bilanci certificati rende particolarmente difficoltosa questa valutazione. Nel presente lavoro, dopo aver analizzato la letteratura in materia di valutazione del merito creditizio delle aziende agrico…

Cheese as a food souvenir in Sicily

Souvenirs are elements of territorial communication, and they are examples of the marketing strategy of destinations. Souvenirs are objects that allow us to remember moments we have experienced and places we have visited. Drawing on the close relationships between places and souvenirs, this paper analyses cheese as a food souvenir in the island of Sicily. The method is based on a qualitative design which includes visits and interviews with local sellers in the food markets and food shops in Palermo, with the objective to reveal how cheese is protected and promoted as a symbol of Sicilian culture and heritage from a marketing perspective. Results of the paper show that cheeses made in Sicily…

28. Ecosystem service for farm: a methodological evaluation proposal of the pollination ecosystem service

Analisi del consumo dell'olio extravergine d'oliva DOP in Sicilia

I consumatori manifestano sempre più interesse verso il consumo dei prodotti agro-alimentari di qualità, ricercando tradizioni e abitudini legate al territorio di provenienza degli stessi. Tra i prodotti di qualità, uno dei più appreezzati dai consumatori è l''olio extravergine di oliva e per questo motivo molte imprese olivicole hanno rivolto la propria attenziaone nei confronti di produzioni di qualità certificate (DOP, IGP, biologico) per meglio rispondere alle esigenze che vengono dal mercato. obiettivo del presente lavoro è quello di individuare i principali fattori che condizionano il consumo dell''olio extravergine di oliva DOP. Attraverso una tecnica statistica di analisi multivaria…

Forest resources and sustainable tourism, a combination for the resilience of the landscape and development of mountain areas.

The development of sustainable tourism models has been widely discussed in the economic literature. If on the one hand the demand for tourism has grown in recent years, on the other it is necessary to have adequate planning and political tools. The problems of sustainable tourism appear more complex when sustainable tourism involves development opportunities that require the support of the local community and the management of natural resources which are generally common goods. In these circumstances, new management structures need to be created, which can both meet the needs of the local community and ensure adequate management of natural resources. This study analyzes the connections betw…

Un'analisi esplorativa della domanda di consumo di arance nella città di Palermo

Lo scenario viticolo internazionale.Situazione attuale ed evoluzione della viticoltura da vino.

Socio-economic assessment of direct sales in Sicilian farms

Many farmers today adopt direct sales as an entrepreneurial strategy in order to achieve a competitive advantage. The aim of this study has been to analyze the role that direct sales play in Sicilian farms and how the short food supply chain is able to valorize the endogenous resources of rural areas and increase the net income of farmer. Our results showed that direct sales, in conjunction with conventional sales, can represent a growing opportunity for farmers and lead to an improvement in the economic performances of agricultural businesses, an increase in farm investments and the creation of new job opportunities.

Analisi economico-agrarie della filiera agrumicola e strategie di valorizzazione: arance bionde e mandarini

La Sicilia rappresenta la prima regione italiana per investimenti agrumicoli ed in particolare di arance e mandarini. Nel presente lavoro si è analizzata la redditività e la competitività della filiera dell’arancia bionda di Ribera e quella del mandarino tardivo di Ciaculli. L’analisi economica, realizzata attraverso la determinazione della redditività della coltivazione e la determinazione dei successivi costi di condizionamento, ha messo in luce una situazione di debolezza strutturale sia per l’arancia che per il mandarino. L’analisi SWOT riferita ad entrambe le filiere ha permesso di evidenziare i punti di forza e di debolezza che attualmente caratterizzano le due realtà produttive nonch…

Aspetti economici e commerciali dell'arancia di Ribera

The Sicily is the first region for orange cultivation in Italy. This sector, throughout the ages, has been characterized by a decrease of the invested areas and by a reduction of the fresh product’s demand; in the meantime, the competitiveness of the new producer countries is increased for a better commercial organization and for lower production costs. The aim of the paper is to improve the knowledge of orange cultivation in Ribera area, in the province of Agrigento (Sicily). It is carried out a microeconomic analysis on a sample of 20 farms to determine profitability of orange cultivation by means of various economic indicators (production costs, profits, net incomes). The business survey…

Aspects productifs, structuraux, et èconomiques de la "nouvelle" viticulture sicilienne

La politica di qualità per la valorizzazione delle produzioni agroalimentari

Analisi tecnico-economiche dell’olivicoltura meridionale

ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF AQUACULTURE INVESTMENTS UNDER CONDITIONS OF RISK AND UNCERTAINTY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

This study aims to analyze, from a technical and ec onomic point of view, the choice between alternative investments in aquaculture under condit ions of risk and uncertainty. In particular, a comparative analysis has been conducted between an inshore and an offshore farm producing European sea bass in the Mediterranean Sea. The app lied model refers to the theory of subjective probability, assigning a different probability to e xpected incomes during the investment period. Resul ts show an economic convenience of inshore with respect to offshore farming.

1.7 La produttività degli impianti.

Urban food strategies and sustainable agri-food systems: Results of empirical analysis in Palermo

In developed economies, there is an increasing shift in food production from places of production to places of consumption. According to the economic logic of production costs, today many agri-food products are produced in one part of the continent and made available for consumption in other parts. This situation, although justified from an economic point of view, leads to the impoverishment of territories as many economic activities disappear from the production scenario. In this work, the agrifood policy of the city of Palermo is analyzed. In particular, we investigated the fruit and vegetable market in Palermo. The empirical verification shows that most of the fruit and vegetables availa…

The cost advantage of Sicilian wine farms

This study presents the results of research carried out on a Sicilian wine farm in order to demonstrat e the economic convenience of the mechanized harvest. After the determination of the minimum optimal farm size that justifies the introduction of grape harve ster in the farm, it has been estimated production cost and the relative profitability of two wine grape cultiv ars (Chardonnay and Nero d’Avola), comparing three hypotheses of harvest: manual, with farm property g rape harvester and with rented grape harvester. The economic analysis shows that the introduction of th e grape harvester in the wine farm is justified in large sized farms. However, even in small farms the use o f rented g…

La potatura agevolata conviene anche su piccole superfici

Analisi economica: la Redditività Nella gestione tradizionale del vigneto pantesco

Il lavoro analizza la redditività del vigneto coltivato nell'isola di Pantelleria. Lo studio ha preso in esame un gruppo di aziende viticole dove si sono determinati gli impieghi di lavoro del vigneto, i materiali di origine extraziendali, e i principali parametri economici. La ricerca mette in luce l'attuale situazione economica del comparto viticolo pantesco.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF PROCESS INNOVATIONS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF OLIVE FARMS

Within a business enterprise, process innovations l ead to reduced production costs and to increased profit margins. In this study, we shall examine an olive farm that operates in a perfectly competitive market that has introduced a process innovation so as to contain labour costs and therefore production costs. So, the paper aimed at comparing economic co mpetitiveness of an olive farm that introduced mechanical olive pickers (process innovation) for h arvest respect to manual harvest. In the case under scrutiny, for the same price, the reduced productio n cost determined a shift from a situation of being at a loss to one of profit for the business. Economic analysis showed that introducti…

PANTELLERIA WINE INDUSTRY BETWEEN COMPETITIVENESS AND TRADITION

Consumers' eating habits during the Covid-19 pandemic: Evidence of an experimental analysis in Italy.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Italian food supply chain responded to the needs of consumers by giving continuity to the supply of food products even if the Italian food system in the first phase of lockdown had to deal with the anxiety of consumers who rushed to the food stores to "clear the shelves ". The aim of this research is to provide a qualitative interpretation of Italian families' food consumption experiences during the lockdown due to Covid-19, which lasted from March 9, 2020 to May 4, 2020. This research has examined twenty Italian families and reveals that anxiety about the exhaustion of food stocks was detected in the first weeks of the lockdown, where there were consumers …

Economic aspect olive-growing and oil production in the Nebrodi rural areas

Olive trees have characterized the Mediterranean landscape for thousands of years. Their cultivation originated in eastern Mediterranean countries - known as ''fertile crescent'' -where oil production and trade became one of the main economic resources for the regions and peoples of the time. In fact, thanks to the work of Myceneans, Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans, olives came to be one of the major agricultural crops in the Mediterranean. With a value of 2,4 billion Euros (average of the years 2005-08), over 85% of Italian olive production is developed in the regions of southern Italy. In these regions, less encouraged by economic development, the olive and oil sector plays a fundamental s…

Entrepreneurial strategies of Etna wine farms

Viticulture, as well as agriculture in general, performs an environmental and landscaping function and it encourages rural development through the creation of income and job opportunities in the areas where wine is produced. The wine sector, in fact, is of great social and economic importance within the Sicilian agriculture and food industry, because of the job opportunities it provides and due to Sicilian pedoclimatic peculiarities, variety of grape wines cultivars and production process. The present study aims at assessing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises that cultivate wine grapes in the Etna area. In particular, it has been examined a sample of wine farms that p…

Territorial development models: A new strategic vision to analyze the relationship between the environment, public goods and geographical indications

Abstract Geographical indications (GIs) are increasingly seen as a tool to support sustainable local development. This study focuses on how geographical indications can contribute to a territorial public system, and how this can be threatened by several market failures. Starting from the economic literature on public goods, this document highlights how geographical indications, and their legal protection, can guarantee a sustainable development model. This article aims to illustrate and develop new economic arguments that support a more comprehensive political approach to the contribution that Geographical indications make to sustainable development. The research is focused in Sicily on the…

Produzione lorda vendibile e costo di produzione

La politica agraria per il biologico in Sicilia: un'ipotesi di conversione per le aziende ad indirizzo cerealicolo-foraggero

Determinants of Ready-to-eat Products Purchase Intentions: An Empirical Study among the Italian Consumers

The considerable diffusion of ready-to-eat products has focused attention on the reasons for their increasingly prominent success in the market. Although their prices are much higher than the prices of simple raw materials, their consumption has increased rapidly and with no end in sight, a situation that has challenged the conclusions of the classical literature on the importance of price and/or income in consumer decisions. In fact, more recent literature has broadened the classical vision by introducing potential additional variables that could influence consumer choice of certain foods. These variables, however, are not always easy and clear to identify because they reflect the cultural…

Localized agri-food systems: The case of Pecorino Siciliano PDO a food product of the tradition of Mediterranean gastronomy

Sustainability is becoming a successful strategic variable for creating value in rural areas. In the context of rural areas, excellent agri-food products are located which form the starting point for the creation of value. The legislator, in order to promote these products, provides for the PDO, PGI, TSG certifications. Brands and sustainability become a combination to favor the permanence of man in rural areas. This contribution discusses the use of territorial brand indicators to foster the resilience of territories. In particular, Pecorino Siciliano PDO is examined and the business strategies of a sample of companies examined are evaluated. The study contributes to highlighting a localiz…

Effetti dell'applicazione dell'OCM vino nella vitivinicoltura siciliana: il caso dell'adozione del premio all'estirpazione dei vigneti

Cost-benefit analysis: A comparison between conventional and organic olive growing in the Mediterranean Area

The conversion from conventional to organic management of olive growing has many benefits, such as increase of biodiversity, reduction of soil erosion and lower environmental impact. Since olive represents a main crop in the Mediterranean area, from a social, economic as well as environmental point of view, the aim of this paper has been to determine if the conversion from conventional to organic olive growing can increase the profitability of the farmer in Sicilian farms. Economic analysis has been carried out by means of cost-benefit analysis and financial indicators (NPV, B0/C0, IRR) show that organic growing would allow a better profitability for organic olive farms respect to conventio…

Organic farming: Territorial analysis and economic revival of organic agriculture – Analysis of select farms in sicily

All rights reserved.Organic farming represents one of the most distinctive phenomena among those characterizing the evolution of the Italian primary sector over the past two decades, especially in Sicily. In recent years, the Sicilian organic sector has come to prominence for the increase in both size and number of organic farms, which has allowed our country to rank among the foremost in this category at the international scale. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how organic farming may contribute to the economic revival of Sicilian agriculture, not only from an exquisitely economic standpoint, but also in terms of sustainable development and environmental protection. The latter two p…

L'industria ittico-conserviera

Giant reed as energy crop for Southern Italy: An economic feasibility study

Abstract Among renewable sources giant reed has attracted a growing interest as energy crop especially in Southern Europe, thanks to its low agronomic input requirements. This paper aimed at evaluating the economic feasibility of introduction of giant reed plantation as energy crop in the Southern Italy. In particular, an economic and financial analysis was performed by comparing giant reed (both for woodchip and chopped forage production) with traditional crops (pluriannual and annual) that are currently cultivated in the same area, such as wine grape, melon and tomato. Results showed the highest profitability of giant reed respect to other crops with current market prices. In particular, …

Post Feed-in Scheme Photovoltaic System Feasibility Evaluation in Italy: Sicilian Case Studies

: Thanks to national energy policies, over recent years the Italian photovoltaic (PV) sector has undergone an extraordinary growth, also affecting the primary sector. In this context, Mediterranean greenhouses are well-adapted to photovoltaic systems because they represent one of the most energy-intensive sectors in agriculture. The Italian feed-in scheme ended at the beginning of 2013, making it necessary to investigate the feasibility of photovoltaic systems devoid of any electricity production-related incentives. In this paper, production cost and profitability analyses of photovoltaic electricity have been conducted, considering Mediterranean solar greenhouses in which, thanks to net me…

Circular economy and environmental protection

<abstract> <p>The circular economy represents a form of corporate production with respect to environmental resources. In the past, these production systems were widespread on the basis of the non-removability of the production factors. The advent of economic growth, in capitalist economies, has led to the deconstruction of production cycles resulting to a food product being produced in one part of the world, whilst the raw materials and processing phases are carried out in several parts of the world, due to the low production costs there. While these economic systems, on the one hand, have led to a growth in the global economic system, on the other hand they have determined the …

I COSTI DI IMPIANTO DEL VIGNETO

Economic evaluation of introduction of poplar as biomass crop in Italy

Abstract Lignocellulosic biomass production deriving from agro forest species, as well as poplar ( Populus spp.), has denoted an increase in last years in UE also thanks to a series of policies aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and promoting renewable sources. In Italy poplar represents the main agro forest species and it is cultivated according to two different methods: very Short Rotation Coppice (vSRC) and Short Rotation Coppice (SRC). The aim of this paper has been to evaluate the economic feasibility of poplar as energy crop in the southern Italy and specifically to consider its competitiveness with respect to conventional crops. In particular, an economic analysis in a r…

Marketing strategy, social responsibility, and value chain in the agri-food system

The agri-food sector has changed significantly over the years, moving from a simple production system to a more and more industrialized one. For agents/operators involved in this sector, ensuring product quality and environmental externalities has become the key point to gaining a competitive advantage. In this context, corporate social responsibility (CSR) fits perfectly. This study analyzes the influence of CSR practices on the economic performance of a random sample of 130 agri-food companies in Italy. The results of an analysis of multiple linear regression models show that the economic performance (measured through value added and income) of agri-food enterprises seems to be influenced…

La rivalutazione dei redditi catastali ed i possibili impatti per l'agricoltura italiana

PAYMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY

Over the last years the interest in environmental s ervices provided by forests has considerably grow. This situation, in developed countries, derive from risi ng demand of new goods and services tied to landsca pe use and leisure activities. These can be considered such as no woody products and they represent externalities produced by forest that, if suitably utilized, could produce value for the area and earn ings for people living near forests. From an economic point of view, at the aim of providing these services, it is necessary the introduction of a suitable payment sy stem or, in alternative, a situation in which posit ive externalities of landscape, in sync with other good s/service…

I costi della meccanizzazione nelle aziende viticole di Pantelleria

Caratteri strutturali ed organizzativi delle aziende viticole

Aspetti economici ed organizzativi delle imprese olivicole ed olearie in Sicilia

il lavoro, frutto di una indagine sugli aspetti tecnico economici della olivicoltura siciliana,analizza la competitività delle aziende olivicole ed olearie sicialiane, attraverso lo studio delle principalicaratteristiche strutturali e tecnico economiche (tipo di impresa,ampiezze aziendali età delle piantagioni,ecc)in tre provincie siciliane (trapani, palermo ed agrigento)

PROFITABILITY OF SMALL LOQUAT FARMS IN SICILY

The northern Sicilian coastline, known for its favorable soil and climatic conditions, represents the main production area in Italy for loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.). Over the years, the absence of process innovation and appropriate marketing strategies caused a gradual decline of loquat cultivation. This study estimates the profitability of some representative Sicilian farms that grow loquat in the area of Trabia (Palermo Province), where this crop is important for the local economy. The results highlighted a productive scenario characterized by high production costs, where only a family farm that supplies much of its own labor can survive.

1.8 Impieghi di lavoro.

Meccanizzazione in proprio o ricorso al noleggio: il parco macchine delle aziende cerealicole.

Profitability of artichoke growing in the mediterranean area

Cultivation of artichokes for production is significant in the Mediterranean Basin. Italy represents an important productive hub and in this context, Sicily has been one of the foremost production areas. Artichoke production is a stable element of either specialized or mixed production systems in the region. However, due to the economic recession and increasing imports of artichokes from North African countries, many companies are undergoing crisis, with concerns for the negative impact on the socioeconomic fabric, in terms of the rising unemployment an eventual collapse of this specific activity would determine. According to the theory of economic development, a prerequisite of a territory…

Il mercato dei fiori nel marsalese

Economic evaluation of biogas plant size utilizing giant reed

Abstract Amongst energy crops for the production of biomass feedstock for biogas plants, giant reed (Arundo donax L) has been attracting attention in recent years in Italy. Undoubtedly, this is due to its potentially high yield in terms of biomass, low agronomic inputs, as well as for being eligible for European Union energy crop incentives. The aim of this study was to perform an analysis of plant costs considering three macro-categories (biomass, plant installation and transport). Also, we aimed to describe the economic performances of biogas plants, while progressively altering two key variables. Specifically, we considered electrical power capacity (in the 100–999 kW range) and several …

1.9 Risultati economici dell'indagine.

I costi di esercizio delle macchine agricole.

Private label food products: Consumer perception and distribution strategies

Food Products Private Label PL, are foods produced by the food industries on order of food distribution companies. Their characteristic is that they are similar to industrial brands but are marketed under the name of the distribution company. Over time they have spread to countries with high per capita income, so much so that today they have become an established product in the food market. Today the PL makes it possible to overcome the criticalities that small agricultural businesses have, which cannot relate to the large-scale retail trade. The PL allow the survival of the company and the permanence of the man in the rural environment. The aim of this research was to analyze the benefits …

Cenni storici sulla diffusione nella viticoltura nell'area del Mediterraneo e in Sicilia. Situazione attuale ed evoluzione della viticoltura da vino.

Giant reedasenergycropforSouthernItaly: An economicfeasibilitystudy

Among renewablesourcesgiantreedhasattractedagrowinginterestasenergycropespeciallyin Southern Europe,thankstoitslowagronomicinputrequirements.Thispaperaimedatevaluatingthe economic feasibilityofintroductionofgiantreedplantationasenergycropintheSouthernItaly.In particular,aneconomicand financial analysiswasperformedbycomparinggiantreed(bothfor woodchip andchoppedforageproduction)withtraditionalcrops(pluriannualandannual)thatare currentlycultivatedinthesamearea,suchaswinegrape,melonandtomato.Resultsshowedthehighest profitability ofgiantreedrespecttoothercropswithcurrentmarketprices.Inparticular,giantreed destined towoodchipproductiondenotedthehighestannualgrossmarginwithavalueof647.10 € ha1, f…

Street food in Palermo: Traditions and market perspectives

Street food protects and promotes the history and tradition of a place. The origin of street foods largely relies on the cultural and natural landscapes that surround the environments where they are prepared and sold. Street food illustrates a culinary heritage that is embedded in the ways of life of people, both residents and visitors. Drawing on a qualitative study, the researchers conducted ten interviews with street food vendors in the city of Palermo (Sicily, Italy) in order to understand this growing phenomenon in urban environments of the Mediterranean, where the street food also brings the customers to ancient times. Results show the strategy of the entrepreneurs as street food vend…

Evaluating of the sustainability of complex rural ecosystems during the transition from agricultural villages to tourist destinations and modern agri-food systems

Many agricultural villages have transformed from traditional agricultural communities into tourist destinations to eliminate the progressive degradation, abandonment, ecological and social crises that threaten sustainable development. Today rural villages are complex ecosystems that represent the result of the historical relationship between man and nature in the socio-economic dimension. A tool for assessing the sustainability of rural villages is the analysis of the interaction between man and the environment. Preserving healthy rural ecosystems, in dynamic balance with the interrelation between social development and the functioning of the natural ecosystem is an indispensable goal of su…

Choice between alternative investments in agriculture: The role of organic farming to avoid the abandonment of rural areas

Abstract Sicily has a long tradition in citrus fruit cultivation that, with vineyard and olive tree, represents the main Mediterranean tree crops. Since many Sicilian farmers in recent years have decided to abandon conventional lemon orchards, in this paper we have evaluated the financial sustainability of organic lemon production by comparing it with the conventional one. Financial analysis has been carried out in a case study on the northwestern coast of Sicily, considering a 50-year economic life of an orchard. The results, per hectare of area, showed a clear advantage of organic lemon orchard. This was due to fewer labor requirements and to greater market appreciation for organic produc…

Economic and Financial Comparison between Organic and Conventional Farming in Sicilian Lemon Orchards

Sicily has a long tradition in citrus fruit cultivations that with vineyard and olive tree represent the main Mediterranean tree crops. In this paper we have evaluated the economic and financial sustainability of lemon production, both in organic farming and in conventional farming

1.3 Note metodologiche.

Redditività in forte crisi per ciliegino e costoluto in serra

La vendemmia meccanica è sempre conveniente

Produzioni estere e prezzi bassi mettono in difficoltà la patata primaticcia

L’analisi aziendale

Pantelleria, in vigna operazioni più efficienti con le macchine

Economic assessment of Eucalyptus (spp.) for biomass production as alternative crop in Southern Italy

The increase in energy prices and the stagnation of sales prices of the main agricultural commodities required a rethinking of farm production strategies. Since during the last years, thanks to a series of policies aimed at promoting renewable sources it has been a rapid diffusion of lignocellulosic biomass species, this paper aimed at evaluating the economic feasibility of the introduction of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) as energy crop for farmers of Southern Italy, by comparing it with traditional crop rotations. In particular, economic analysis has been carried out in a representative case study located in the Sicilian hilly hinterland where, in 2013, it has been built a biomass plant fo…

ASPETTI GENERALI E STRUTTURALI DELLE IMPRESE DI TRASFORMAZIONE RILEVATE

GLI IMPIEGHI DI LAVORO

Business choices, risk management and distortions in the wine market in the European Union

The objective of this work is to analyze the management of technical and economic risks in agri-food production. It is well established that any business activity is characterized by risks that, if not managed efficiently and effectively, can cause a company’s downward spiral. In this context, the management of a winery requires the adoption of company policies aimed at reducing risk. This study highlights the fact that the wine insurance market is characterized by information asymmetry and adverse selection that contribute to the creation of ‘distorted markets’. The results of the empirical analysis show the collapse of subsidized insurance contracts in viticulture leading to a decrease in…

La struttura produttiva viticola nel contesto italiano

Economic Sustainability of Italian Greenhouse Cherry Tomato

Greenhouse tomato cultivation plays an important role in Sicily, being the primary production area in Italy, due to its favorable pedo-climatic conditions that permit extra-seasonal productions. In Sicily, more than half of greenhouse tomato production is derived from the Province of Ragusa on the southeastern coast, where especially cherry tomato typologies are cultivated. Over the last decade, the Ragusa Province has registered a decrease both in terms of greenhouse tomato area and harvested production due to several structural problems that would require restructuring of the tomato supply chain. Thus, since recognition of real costs and profitability of tomato growing is a vital issue, b…

A methodological approach for assessing businness investments in renewable resources from a circular economy perspective

Abstract In this paper, we have analyzed a feasibility project for the realization of a biogas plant at a company in the viticulture sector located in south-central Sicily. Using engineering formulas, we identified the electrical power that the plant could produce using waste products created by the vineyard itself, examined the new and interesting opportunities that have arisen with the encouragement and development of biogas production in Italy, and then assessed the economic feasibility of the investment itself, considering an investment scheme of total capital self-financing. The possibility of using wastes from wine production comes from an in-depth study of the circular economy, that …

Il contributo del settore agricolo nel processo di sviluppo economico

Il presente lavoro analizza il ruolo che l'agricoltura occupa nel sistema economico italiano e siciliano. In particolare, attraverso la teoria economica si è analizzato in un primo momento il ruolo che il settore primario ha nelle economie sviluppate. Successivamente, si sono esaminate le modalità di intervento dell’operatore pubblico nel settore. L’analisi empirica si è sviluppata prendendo in esame i dati della Spesa pubblica, attraverso i dati della banca dati dei Conti Pubblici Territoriali (CPT), il Valore Aggiunto e gli occupati del settore primario. Lo studio dimostra che il settore agricolo, nelle Regioni del , Mezzogiorno d’Italia, riveste ancora un peso rilevante che va supportato…

Growth and sustainability of agricultural systems: the case of Sicilian wine-growing farms

International audience; The Sicilian wine-growing sector is characterised by the presence on the one hand of many small enterprises that limit their activity to the first stage of the supply chain (field production) and on the other of few enterprises that adopt a strategy of total vertical integration, from the production to the sale of wine. The first group of enterprises operates in a competitive market and in many cases with marginal revenues that are lower than marginal costs, leading entrepreneurs to abandon the activity of grape production. The second group operates in an oligopolistic market and it is able to compete in an international market. Findings reveal that competitive advan…

Food traditions and consumer preferences for cured meats: Role of information in geographical indications

Abstract Growth and development are two economic concepts that should go hand in hand. In a specific territory, the search for sustainable development is intertwined with the objectives of private operators but also with the public ones of collective well-being. As we know from the economic literature, the presence of information asymmetries leads to market failure as sustainability in the production of food products determines positive externalities that are not adequately remunerated. In this work some evolutionary trends in the demand for cured meats are analyzed, highlighting the relevant innovations introduced by sustainable consumption. Faced with this evolution of demand, with consum…

L'organizzazione comune del mercato vitivinicolo.

La redditività dell'olivicoltura da olio in alcune aree della Sicilia

Renewable energies, business models and local growth

Abstract Energy is one of the driving factors of the world economy: energy consumption is closely linked to quality of life and environmental impact. Reducing the use of fossil fuels, curtailing greenhouse gas emissions, and cutting energy dependence from traditional energy producing countries are the cornerstones of European policies for safe, competitive, sustainable, and renewable energy. In addition, the pressing need to provide new and diversified opportunities for supplementary income for the agricultural sector has fueled the desire to engage rural areas in this process. Biogas, derived from the anaerobic digestion of biomass, is one of the renewable energy sources that has been very…

The behaviour of non consumer of organic food: suggestions on marketing strategies to attract new market segments

Oggi le produzioni agricole biologiche sono in netta crescita sia a livello internazionale che nazionale. Tra le regioni italiane la Sicilia rappresenta la principale area di produzione e si colloca all’ultimo posto relativamente ai consumi. Attraverso un’indagine pilota nella citta di Palermo, si e voluto indagare, sui motivi del mancato acquisto di prodotti biologici per comprendere quali sono le leve del marketing mix su cui e possibile intervenire per attrarre nuovi segmenti di mercato. L’indagine e stata realizzata intervistando un campione di non-consumatori di alimenti biologi presso alcuni supermercati della citta. I campioni, degli intervistati e dei supermercati, sono stati selezi…

Competitiveness and sustainability in horticulture: strategy for small businesses

Vegetable cultivation has a significant history in the countries of the Mediterranean basin. Italy is an important horticultural producer and, in this context, Sicily offers ideal conditions for the protected cultivation of field vegetables. Apart from a few well-organised producers, in many areas horticulture is characterised by backward entrepreneurial systems and fragmented production lines that make the vegetable market one that is very close to being a rigged competition in which companies must accept the price and have no negotiating power. This situation has been aggravated even further by the recent economic crisis and the subsequent recession, resulting in the disappearance of the …

The circular economy for resilience of the agricultural landscape and promotion of the sustainable agriculture and food systems

The agricultural landscape is a public good to be preserved for long-term socio-economic and environmental effects. The agricultural landscape is preserved by the carrying out of agricultural activities. Through a empirical survey we examined how some young farmers in the countryside adopt conservation and resilience strategies. A common feature of the case studies examined is the adoption of photovoltaic energy production necessary for the performance of business activities. The method applied is that of the opportunity cost. The results of the research show that young farmers after graduation have returned to agriculture as they have an advantage in terms of opportunity costs compared to …

Vineyard irrigation and assessment of ecosystem service: Experimental trials on “Catarratto” cultivar for the production of “Bianco di Alcamo” DOC wine

Water is an important resource for humans both for drinking and for irrigation. In the case of irrigation, the use of water resources leads to many direct benefits for farmers. The use of irrigation water, in addition to having consequences for those directly involved, determines positive externalities on the ecosystem in general. In this research the value of the ecosystem service that determines water for irrigation was estimated. The method used was that of the gross margin method which determined a value of 200.10 (sic)/ha. The research results are very important in relation to climate change which makes water increasingly important as an element of production in Mediterranean environme…

Economic aspects of olive-growing and oil production in the Nebrodi rural areas

Lo sviluppo sostenibile della pesca nella marineria di Mazara del Vallo

In a place like Sicily, where sea fishing and port activities are part of the territory, history and culture, fishery has always been vital to man and, for this reason, today it must be studied, protected and helped in the difficult transition towards long-term sustainability. Fishing is a driving sector for Mazara economy both for number of working days during the fishing season, and for industrial activities operating around this field (transformation, packaging, and distribution). A micro-economic analysis was carried on a sample of fishing enterprises in order to analyze the problems of the here studied seamanship. The analysis is based on the employers’ interviews. The collected data h…

LE IMPRESE OLIVICOLE ED OLEARIE IN SICILIA: VALUTAZIONE DEGLI ASPETTI ECONOMICI ED ORGANIZZATIVI

Il comparto olivicolo-oleario rappresenta una risorsa importante dell''agricoltura della Regione Sicilia. Il presente lavoro analizza gli aspetti tecnico-economici dei nuovi modelli olivicoli presenti nella regione, ed effettua un confronto con quelli tradizionali. Lo studio mette in evidenza la debolezza economica di molte imprese olivicole. Solo un processo di valorizzazione delle produzioni, infatti, garantisce un maggior valore aggiunto.

Economic comparison between offshore and inshore aquaculture production systems of European sea bass in Italy

Abstract Offshore production system is predicted to increase in the near future driven by the lack of coastal space and lower environmental impacts. The aim of this paper has been to evaluate the economic performance of offshore production system respect to inshore one, by comparing net present value (NPV), discounted payback time (DPBT) and internal rate of return (IRR) of two Italian mariculture farms that produce European sea bass. Results showed a better economic profitability of offshore farm, even if sensitivity analysis revealed that financial indicators of both aquaculture production systems have been very sensitive to market condition changes. So, offshore production system could r…

1.4 I costi orari delle macchine impiegate.

L'IMU sui terreni agricoli e la performance economica dell'azienda agraria

Studio di alcuni aspetti della domanda di arance bionde mediante la Cluster Analysis. Il Caso delle arance di Ribera dop e possibili strategie di mercato

In a time of evolution of demand towards new features and new functions for food, both producers and consumers focus more and more on human health and on environmental protection. The citrus industry has not escaped these changes in demand, also because of the eu policies that have led to greater use of the processed product at the expense of fresh one. Sicily, which for these productions has higher quality standards than its competitors, aims to develop the sector, with investments in promotion, brand protection and quality certifications, with the introduction of the dop "Arancia di Ribera". In this context Sicilian producers of oranges are aware that it's very important to pay attention …

The rural tourism as development opportunity of farms. The case of direct sales in Siciliy

Tourism has an important role modifying rural communities in their environmental, economic, social and cultural structures, processes and dynamics. In thi s context rural tourism plays a primary role becaus e it is not the rural product that reaches the consumer in the purchase point, but it is the consumer (tourist ) that has to move towards tourist destination to enjoy the pr oduct. So, the aim of this study is to analyse how the opportunities created by the rural tourism can repr esent a vector to promote the growth of farms and territory. Specifically, through a telephone survey conducted among the Sicilian entrepreneurs which j oin to the national network Campagna Amica, it has been an…

Economic development and agriculture: Managing protected areas and safeguarding the environment

Abstract The establishment of protected areas has been one of the most important interventions to protect biodiversity from the threat of human activities and in particular from the agricultural traditional activities where they have been restricted at the expense of the economy of the territory sparking in literature a heated debate between those who argue the these hinder the socio-economic development and on the other hand are those who argue that is able to advance social welfare. On the basis of these considerations, the weight of agricultural sector of a country is highly linked to the percentage of protected areas even though the trend of the weight of agriculture in the overall econ…

Landscape management and economic evaluation of the ecosystem services of the vineyards

<abstract> <p>The contribution aims to highlight the relationship between the business economy applied to viticulture and the ecosystem. The concepts of ecosystem services and viticultural biodiversity are seen in order to provide a new perspective for the development of a more sustainable business management. The work contributes to enriching the economic literature by introducing the relationship between ecosystem and business. The new perspective helps to place the company within the wider ecological-social system, favoring a more consistent interpretation of the relationship of exchange (impact and dependence) of resources with nature. The work proposes a methodology for cal…

Food products, gastronomy and religious tourism: The resilience of food landscapes

Abstract Religious tourism has always been a sector of significant importance in the field of cultural tourism. Religious tourism is located both in urban areas and in rural areas. In rural areas in the past it did not represent a factor of great impact on the local economy as most of the population lived in rural areas. With the advent of modern society and with the phenomena of agricultural and rural exodus, linked to the increase in income in developed societies, religious tourism becomes a critical success factor for many rural areas as a historical heritage. This aspect is of significant importance if we consider that it can represent a real engine of development especially for rural a…

Wine labelling and choices of consumers

Role of alternative food networks in Sicilian farms

Today the short supply chain can be carried out through several typologies which are called as alternative food networks (AFNs). In fact, according to some studies, it is an 'alternative' response to the dominant agro-food system, which offers the possibility to produce food products through supply chains that are opposed to long, complex and rationally organised industrial chains. In the last years many European farmers adopted short supply chain to commercialise their agro-food products and Italy is one of the EU members in which AFNs are developed, thanks to its numerous typical an local products. The aim of this paper has been to analyse the role that AFNs play in Sicilian farms and how…

Analisi dei costi di condizionamento del mandarino Tardivo di Ciaculli

Un'indagine esplorativa sul consumo del mandarino Tardivo di Ciaculli

Cooperation and innovation in Italian agribusiness between theoretical analysis and empirical evidence

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected all economic sectors. The agri-food sector has also suffered very clear effects, especially in those production contexts char-acterized by corporate atomization, lack of cooperation, and innovation. An agrifood system, characterized by low levels of innovation and dependence on foreign countries for many raw materials and foodstuffs, must necessarily recover margins of competitiveness if it is to reverse course. This study analyses the current production scenario of the Italian agri-food industry and suggests strategies to recover margins of competitiveness. The study reveals a weak agricultural sector, while the food industry and distribution are highly c…

Riflessioni tra evoluzione dei consumi e strategie di successo delle imprese agroalimentari.

Appendice statistica

Universal design as resilient urban space plan strategy. New scenarios for environmental resources’ sustainable management

Nowadays, urban framework, stressed by the growing anthropic pressure and its constantly evolving use requests is split by uneven structures, contexts, users and patchy needs, which come out to be inefficient and ineffective in access and management. This fact is directly connected both with morph-functional structure of urban texture and its continuous changing trends. The most important consequences of this situation are some negative effects that produce entropy, mistaken anthropic space uses, ecological networks decrease and most of all a substantial urban life quality reduction connected with mobility problems and non-resilient spaces' use at the different plan scales. These elements m…

Aspetti economici della produzione dell'arancia bionda in biologico

The traditional function of Agriculture to produce food, today is substituted by multifunctional role in which the farm businessman becomes protagonist of territorial management an environmental preservation. Besides, the consumers orient increasingly their choices towards products obtained by a low land''s exploitation. The aim of paper is to highlight the technical bonds and the opportunities of organic orange cultivation. The study has regarded a sample of conventional an organic orange farms locaded in the Ribera area (AG), that is well-known for the cultivation of blonde orange. Microeconomic unalysis, through determination of production costs end principal economic parameters, has sho…

La produzione e il commercio del grano duro nel Mondo ed in Italia

Il pomodoro seccagno conviene solo con prezzi di vendita alti

Consumer preferences for the Mediterranean Diet: Results of an empirical analysis

The Mediterranean Diet is a very healthy diet for the human organism. The study focuses on consumer behavior toward products that are part of the Mediterranean Diet. The purpose of this research is to give an insight into food awareness, to improve consumer health, by highlighting the food pyramid and lifestyles related to the Mediterranean Diet, and to understand cultural customs and habits regarding food. The empirical analysis was carried out through a survey of a sample of consumers. The questionnaire, administered online, included general cultural questions on the Mediterranean Diet, food groups, individual lifestyles, and eating habits of the con-sumers interviewed. Adherence to the M…

Costs, revenues and incomes of Sicilian farms that cultivate cactus pear

Sicily, placed at the center of the Mediterranean, for its favorable soil and climatic conditions, represents the main production area of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Miller) in Italy. In this context, the paper aims to estimate production costs, revenues and incomes of the Sicilian farms that cultivate cactus pear. The economic analysis has been carried out in the area of Santa Margherita Belice (AG), where the cultivation of cactus pear assumes a significant importance for the economy of the territory and where in last years many farmers have implanted specialized plantations also for the support granted by the EU agricultural policy. Economic analysis has involved 20 farms specia…

Modeling sequential production: the migratory beekeeper case

This paper formalizes a bio-economic model of migratory beekeeping activities, during the annual production cycle, so as to discern the optimal sequence of foraging sites for migratory beekeepers; it then proceeds to empirically verify the model via a case study. The model assumes that the apiary farm produces three marketable outputs under conditions of certainty with disjunctive resources at the sites. In particular, honey, commercial pollination services and nucleus colonies are produced sequentially at foraging sites throughout the year. The model determines a migratory beekeeper’s revenues, variable costs, gross income from each sequence of foraging sites under the constraint that th…

Come sta cambiando l'agricoltura del Sud

The Market Reorientation of Farms: The Case of Olive Growing in the Nebrodi Area

In addition to safeguarding the landscape, olive growing makes a unique contribution to protecting the environment and the agricultural ecosystem. Olive growing in mountainous and hilly areas is severely constrained by structural limitations. Rural tourism can be a potential strategy to increase the competitiveness of olive-growing activities. After an initial analysis of the relationship between landscape, tourism, and olive growing, this study focused on olive growing in the Nebrodi area. In particular, we examined two case studies of olive farms to analyze the related production costs and market positioning strategies.

Qualification and demand expectations for the revival of the wine production offer

Economic analysis of PV systems on buildings in Sicilian farms

Abstract The photovoltaic sector in Italy in recent years has experienced a rapid growth also in the primary sector, thanks to substantial incentives guaranteed by energy policies, simultaneous reduction of investment costs and tax benefits. In order to better understand the growth of the PV industry in Italian primary sector, the aim of this paper has been to evaluate the economic convenience of four PV systems on farm buildings located in four different farms of the north-western coast of Sicily and realized during the second and fourth Italian feed-in schemes. For each feed-in scheme it has been considered a PV plant that sells the electricity to the grid and another in which the energy …

LA DESTINAZIONE COMMERCIALE DEL PRODOTTO E LA DIMENSIONE ECONOMICA DELLLE IMPRESE

Economic performance of biogas plants using giant reed silage biomass feedstock

Abstract With regard to energy crops for the production of raw materials to biomass for biogas plants, has developed a study to determine the optimal minimum size of a biogas plant powered by giant reed (Arundo donax L.) and utilizing livestock waste. In particular, all costs items relating to biomass supply, plant installation and transport costs were analyzed, by changing progressively two main variables: the electrical power capacity and the feedstock utilized (in the range from 100 to 999 kW) and the feedstock utilized, by substituting livestock waste with giant reed silage so as to determine the more economically advantageous option for the entrepreneur in proportion to power capacity …

Information asymmetry in the agri-food sector and territorial marks: The case of the olive oil Val di Mazara PDO

This article analyzes the importance of information in the agri-food market, since the presence of information asymmetry favors market failure. This analysis ex-amines the information asymmetry in the agri-food market and its geographical brands, PDO and PGI, focusing on the Sicilian oil sector of the olive oil Val di Mazara PDO. A quality product has specific organoleptic characteristics that give it flavors, fragrances and various nutritional properties. To protect this, there are the brands that are essential to avoid that between sellers and consumers there is information asymmetry and consequently the failure of the market. In fact, through this analysis are examined the evolution of t…

1.2 Produzione lorda vendibile e costo di produzione

Anthropic space and design for all. New knowledge paths for urban planning strategies

Abstract Nowadays city environment shows the presence of a mixed variety of elements, as natural, semi natural and anthropic components that build up both structure and connections of the urban context. This specific structure shapes and directs space and its functions strictly connected with their sustainable potential uses and sustainable development opportunities. The lack of rules and proper planning methods produces inefficient use conditions by resident citizens, entropy, functions' reduction of ecological networks and deep environmental impacts. The consequence comes out to be a great widespread life quality decrease in urban areas. These thoughts lead the authors to rethink the defi…

L'agricoltura emergente. I profili imprenditoriali trainanti

Agritourism, between legislation and marketing: A leading sector for local development the case of the province of Palermo

This work stems from a desire to understand the dynamics of a sector that is of particular interest for the economy and regional development of Sicily. Due to its geographical position, rich history, and natural beauty, Sicily is a year-round attraction for large numbers of tourists from all over the world. In this respect, it is vital to invest in the local area, to try to maintain and increase the potential that the territory itself can offer. With this work, we consider the agritourism sector to specifically assess its potential interest for business people and consumers, both actual and potential. Indeed, if on one side modern tourism was born from a desire to visit faraway places, it i…

Dynamics of structural change in agriculture, transaction cost theory and market efficiency: The case of cultivation contracts between agricultural enterprises and the food industry

In developed economies, the increasing openness of markets, the ease of trade and the speed of information lead to territorial imbalance and marginalization phenomena of small agricultural activities that cannot compete with the new models of agri-food systems. In this research, starting from this situation, we analyze through the Transaction Cost Theory what can be practised too recover competitiveness margins for small farms. From the study, it emerges that cultivation contracts represent a valid tool for the solution of various marginalization problems of many agricultural enterprises. In particular, from the experience gained over the past few years in Sicily, the cultivation contract b…

ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF SHORT-TERM DECISIONS IN WINEGROWING FARMS

The majority of small sized Sicilian winegrowing farms are placed in the first part of the supply chain. In this way they are subjected to the grapes prices fixed by the wineries, becoming price takers. This situation determines marginal revenues lower than average costs and in short-term a reduction of farmer income that it can allow to farm bankruptcy. In this context farmer should adopt economic strategies in order to obtain higher profit in a more and more competitive market. The aim of this paper is to understand whether, decreasing labor cost in short-term by means of process innovation, average costs of small sized Sicilian winegrowing farm do not exceed marginal revenues.

Agritourism and local development: A methodology for assessing the role of public contributions in the creation of competitive advantage

Abstract Agriculture has been an economic mainstay of countries throughout history. Recently, its importance and essential role in local and regional growth and development have also received due acknowledgment. However, agritourism entrepreneurs often lack the necessary means, when relying only on their own funds alone. For these reasons, targeted aid measures are provided at the regional, national and European levels, provided they fulfill specified subjective and objective eligibility criteria. This investigation aims at understanding the rationale, if any, according to which the Public Administration allots such contributions. To this end, a two-tiered analysis was conducted on the data…

1.6 Risultati tecnici dell' indagine.

Food consumer models: The case of the responsible consumer

The profile of the responsible consumer, that is, an individual whose purchases strive to satisfy altruistic aims above and beyond one’s merely personal consumer necessities, is closely correlated to the one’s socio-economic conditions. All subjective aspects considered, the correlation between responsible consumption in the agri-food sector and the level of education of the individual was studied herein by way of a statistical survey, conducted on a sample of 108 individuals. Likewise, the correlation between the level of responsible consumption and the average monthly expenditures was also elucidated. The study was carried out using the statistical software environment R and the resul…

Social agriculture is a strategy to prevent the phenomenon of abandonment in mountain areas and areas at risk of desertification

Mountain agriculture is characterized by several greater difficulties than lowland agriculture. In recent times, the globalization of markets has led to the margin-alization of many farms. Against this backdrop, this paper has analyzed two models of value creation in mountain social farming. Social farming has social inclusion and socialization objectives. Social agriculture has different characteristics compared to traditional agriculture in that it integrates the production function for the market with the social function understood as a transfer of positive externalities that originate from agriculture and have repercussions on individuals in terms of the transfer of farming culture, pro…

Study of Consumer Preferences in Regard to the Blonde Orange Cv. Washington Navel “Arancia Di Ribera PDO”

Consumers’ attitude and preferences in regard to food ingre- dients, country of origin, social corporate responsibility toward the environment, and work conditions have changed over the last 10 years. Consumers are getting more educated and there- fore more sensitive around cultivation practices in agriculture and food processing, which increases concerns in regard to production practices in agriculture. Several studies have been conducted on consumers’ preferences about quality food, but not with regard to blonde oranges cv. Washington Navel culti- vated in southern Italy. This quality fruit is a niche product that achieved the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) certifica- tion for high…

METODOLOGIA PER LA DETERMINAZIONE DEI COSTI DI IMPIANTO E DI GESTIONE NEGLI IMPIANTI VITICOLI

La filiera corta: una possibile strategia per migliorare la competitività dell'azienda agraria

The paper aims to determine the possible competitive advantage for farms thatadopt a short supply-chain strategy. In particular, by carriying out an analysis of asample of fruit and vegetable farms, we wanted to find out how the business relatesto the market and the reasons that induced the entrepreneur to move into a shortsupply-chain set up. The study was prompted by the wish to determine, empirically,the economic benefits arising from the adoption of the short supply chain. In fact,there is a vast literature on the economic benefits produced by the short supply chainsuch as the demand stability due to customer loyalty and the ability to influencedirectly the price through the reduction o…

Optimal pareto solutions of a dynamic C chart: An application of statistical process control on a semiconductor devices manufacturing process

The present paper proposes a novel economic-statistical design procedure of a dynamic c control chart for the Statistical Process Control (SPC) of the manufacturing process of semiconductor devices. Particularly, a non-linear constrained mathematical programming model is formulated and solved by means of the ε-constraint method. A numerical application is developed in order to describe the Pareto frontier, that is the set of optimal c charts and the related practical considerations are given. The obtained results highlight how the performance of the developed dynamic c chart overcome that of the related static one, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed procedure.

Per le arance negli ultimi 4 anni meno ettari e più quintali. Costi, profitti e redditi della varietà Brasiliano e Navelina

L'economia della meccanizzazione nelle aziende cerealicole siciliane: conclusioni

Efficacy and Efficiency of Italian Energy Policy: The Case of PV Systems in Greenhouse Farms

The production of energy from renewable sources is a form of energy production that has less impact on the environment than the traditional one. For the farmer this new form of production represents an opportunity, especially for the economic benefits that can produce, both in terms of the incentives provided by the public operator and for higher revenues, deriving from the sale of energy back to the grid and/or the savings generated by self-consumed energy, that help to increase the farmer’s income. In this paper, we analyzed a case study of a farm that has realized a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system on a greenhouse. In particular, firstly the farm profitability has been estimated a…

Alcune riflessioni sul concetto di multifunzionalità in agricoltura.

Analisi economica delle aziende che coltivano il Tardivo di Ciaculli nella provincia di Palermo

L'economia delle macchine nelle aziende cerealicole siciliane: introduzione

Proposal of a Genome Editing System for Genetic Resistance to Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus

Viruses provoke considerable economical losses in agriculture. New molecular approaches to develop genetic resistance based on translational genomics and precision genetic modifications are highly expected. The type II Clustered, Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) system including Cas9 nuclease represent a promising and very powerful tool to specifically modulate the expression and activity of genes involved in biotic stress responses. In this study, we describe an approach to develop a platform system based on CRISPR system for genome editing technology in tomato. Tomato is an excellent plant for this approach considering the high-quality genome sequence, the rapid life cyc…

Alcuni aspetti dell’evoluzione dell’impresa agricola nel terzo millennio