PRESSURE FACTORS AFFECTING LOMBARDY AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM: THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE FISCHLER REFORM

This paper presents a regional model, based on Positive Mathematical Programming, which aims to evaluate the consequences of Fischler reform on the agricultural sector of the Lombardy irrigated lowland (Northern Italy). The model main focus is to quantify the agricultural land use changes due to the farmers reaction to the CAP reform main issues, such as single payment, and to simulate possible scenarios for the future. The model takes into account also the Water Frame Directive principles, in order to combine the assessment of both CAP issues and the potential irrigation water supplies reduction, which could deeply affect the area. The model input are obtained by means of the integration between FADN and SIARL (Agricultural Information System of Lombardy Region) information, in order to fit the territorial dimension. The simulation results of 11 different scenarios are discussed.CAP modelling, Fischler Reform, Positive Mathematical Programming, Regional model, Water Frame Directive, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Q18, Q15, C61,

Exploring Land Use Scenarios in Metropolitan Areas: Food Balance in a Local Agricultural System by Using a Multi-objective Optimization Model☆

Abstract The assessment of sustainability of agro-food systems is based on different and several tools. However, economic and policy implications of structural changes, such as land use change, and other modifications, for instance a different orientation or farming technique, could be mainly determined through scenario analysis. Especially in metropolitan regions, where the agricultural sector is threatened by various different pressures, a food supply adequately respondent to the demand is needed. In this sense the paper proposes the utilization of mathematical programming to assess some possible scenarios related to a higher compliance between food supply and demand. The approach is based on a linear programming model that takes into account the production and consumption dimensions in the Milan Metropolitan Area. Five scenarios are simulated, with different levels of sustainability and compliance with demand, demonstrating the potentialities of the regional agro-food system in adapting and adjusting itself to such modifications

V CONGRESSO DEL COORDINAMENTO UNIVERSITARIO PER LA COOPERAZIONE E LO SVILUPPO (CUCS)

La cooperazione allo sviluppo oggi è chiamata a rispondere a nuove emergenze derivanti dai tanti mutamenti degli assetti sociali, politici e ambientali sulle comunitàin molte parti del mondo con particolare riferimento alle aree fragili.La cooperazione deve essere sempre più strumento valoriale della politica di un paese. Più cooperazione per combattere la povertà, ma anche per perseguire la pace, per garantire lo sviluppo, per governare in modo sano ed equo le migrazioni.Le frontiere della cooperazione si estendono a nuovi orizzonti e diventa quanto mai indispensabile sistematizzare l’azione facendo sì che gli attori coinvolti, dalle istituzioni pubbliche al mondo delle imprese, dalla società civile al sistema universitario trovino linguaggi comuni e strumenti condivisi idonei a elaborare politiche e azioni efficaci ad affrontare vecchie e nuove povertà, crescenti instabilità, inaspettati bisogni sociali.Alcune Università Italiane, in sinergia con la CRUI e la DGCS del MAECI hanno avviato d  tempo una riflessione sul ruolo della formazione e della ricerca nello sviluppo. Riflessione che ha trovato risposte a livello nazionale nella Legge 125 dell’Agosto 2014 e a livello internazionale nell’Agenda 2030 che riconosce il mondo accademico come un attore chiave nello sviluppoQuesto il cuore del dibattito che si è svolto a Milano in occasione del V Congresso Nazionale del CUCS il Coordinamento Universitario per la Cooperazione e lo Sviluppo organizzato e ospitato dall’Università degli Studi e il Politecnico di Milano

Tourists’ Preferences for Alpine Pastures Maintenance

Traditional extensive agriculture is the main factor of landscape management in the mountains: a large part of the Alps is modelled by agriculture. Interpreted as a multifunctional activity, including landscape modelling and maintenance, agriculture generates the conditions under which mountain pasture landscape is an economic resource potentially exploitable by tourism. The aim of this work is to draw the profiles of tourists of mountain pastures and to estimate their Willingness to Pay (WTP)for landscape pastures resilience. The innovation of this work lies in the use of a multivariate approach using Contingent Valuation Method (CVM), Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA). The analysis obtained three clusters that identify different tourists’ profiles. The main result is the existence of a positive WTP for the permanence of pasture systems with an agricultural management. Policy guidelines have been proposed to institutions owning pastures and huts to manage these assets

Integrating remote sensing and census information for land securing in Nord Kivu, DRC.

Land disputes are considered both key sources and perpetuating factors of conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Existing literature demonstrates that remote sensing (RS) is a useful tool for systematically monitor the spatial-temporal land use/land cover dynamics in many regions of the world. For this reason, in this paper we propose a methodology for the integration of different sources of information, namely satellite imagery and census information, in order to set up a Spatial Decision Support System aimed at Multi-Criteria Evaluation of potential pilot sites for agricultural development and refugees resettlement

Land use change and agriculture role in managing green spaces: a methodology for land use change analyses

Land consumption is currently one of the major problems affecting green spaces, natural or agricultural. This issue is very important both for agricultural system functionality and, consequently, for its permanence. This paper proposes an analyzing tool of land use changes to support planning policies, in order to highlight the major determinants of land use that affect the permanence of agricultural activity. The case studies are Lodi, Milan and Monza Brianza Provinces, in Lombardy Region. One of the most important results are that exogenous variables, like population density or real estate value of residential buildings, are the most influencing agricultural land loss.Land consumption is currently one of the major problems affecting green spaces, natural or agricultural. This issue is very important both for agricultural system functionality and, consequently, for its permanence. This paper proposes an analyzing tool of land use changes to support planning policies, in order to highlight the major determinants of land use that affect the permanence of agricultural activity. The case studies are Lodi, Milan and Monza Brianza Provinces, in Lombardy Region. One of the most important results are that exogenous variables, like population density or real estate value of residential buildings, are the most influencing agricultural land loss

L'analyse des systèmes alimentaires locaux des grandes métropoles. Proposition méthodologique à partir des cas de Milan et de Paris

Nourrir les metropoles est un enjeu d'importance croissante en raison des capacites de production limitees des systemes agroalimentaires periurbains. Les zones urbaines sont de plus en plus densement peuplees et leurs impacts environnementaux, economiques et sociaux sont de plus en plus eleves. Il est donc important, y compris en termes de securite alimentaire, d'etudier les systemes alimentaires alternatifs qui completent, ou, dans certains cas, remplacent les filieres traditionnelles d'approvisionnement, en particulier dans les grandes metropoles. La definition spatiale d'un Systeme agroalimentaire metropolitain (SYAM) et la quantification de son offre et de sa demande alimentaires sont importants pour le developpement des territoires et de l'agriculture autour des grandes metropoles.Cet article propose un outil pour la definition spatiale d'un SYAM et pour l'analyse de la demande et de l'offre alimentaires dans ce territoire. Cet outil est teste sur deux metropoles, Milan et Paris

Prospects for improving gravity-fed surface irrigation systems in Mediterranean European contexts

Traditionally, most irrigation practices in Southern Europe have been based on gravity-fed surface irrigation systems. Currently, these systems remain a relevant typology in the European Union (EU) member states of the Mediterranean areas, where it is often the only sustainable method for farmers due to the small size of agricultural holdings, their reduced capacity and readiness to invest and the low ratio between yield profits and irrigation costs. In the last several years, in response to European and national directives, surface irrigation has garnered increasing attention at the political and bureaucratic levels due to frequent criticisms of its postulated low efficiency and high water wastage. However, these systems commonly provide a number of ecosystem services and nature-based solutions that increase the positive externalities in different rural socio-ecological contexts and often have the potential to extend these services and provide solutions that are compatible with economical sustainability. This study aims to discuss the prospects for new practices and for the rehabilitation and modernization of the gravity-fed surface irrigation systems in EU Mediterranean areas to enhance water efficiency, thus gaining both economic advantages and environmental benefits. The difficulties, stimuli for improvements and peculiarities of the irrigation water management of four rural environments located in Italy, Spain and Portugal were analyzed and compared to the current state of the gravity-fed surface irrigation systems with hypothetical future improvements achievable by innovative technologies and practices. In these different case studies, the current gravity-fed surface irrigation systems have an obsolete regulatory structure; water-use efficiency is not a driving criterion for the management of the conveyance and distribution canal network, and farmers are not yet adequately encouraged to adopt more efficient gravity-fed irrigation practices. A continuous knowledge exchange is thus necessary for the interaction of all irrigation water managers and farmers to improve their eco-efficiency and to preserve and promote their cultural heritage across the entire water supply and delivery chains. We argue that the best way forward will require precisely targeted rehabilitation measures of gravity-fed surface irrigation systems based on the integrated use of decision support services, gate automation, remote and feedback controls and real-time flow optimization