Analyzing the land and labour productivity of farms producing renewable energy: the Italian case study

The paper computes and analyses some relevant indicators of economic performance of Italian farms producing/not producing renewable energy, and compares the economic results of the two set of farms. The source of data is the European Farm Accountant Data Network; the farms belonging to this network are analysed in relation to their structural differences, type of farming, geographical areas, economic size, as well as the type of renewable energy produced. After an in-depth statistical investigation, the main economic ratios are computed and analysed using also multivariate regression models, with a special focus on the production of solar and biogas energy. In terms of land and labour productivity and fixed factor remuneration, the results show that farms producing renewable energy perform better than the other farms. This positive effect is particularly accentuated in large companies that produce biogas, followed by farms that produce solar energy. There are still many obstacles that limit the production of renewable energy in agriculture; among these, still insufficient research and information on best practices in agriculture and, in Italy, the complexity and dispersion of the institutional legislative framework and of the public support systems. However, the need to increase the production of renewable energy has become a priority for many European countries both in the short- and in the medium term, especially in light of recent events related to the war in Ukraine

Emerging economies and large land investments

Since 2008, and following dramatic increases in prices, international commodities markets systems have begun changing after decades of relative indifference. The reasons for high, volatile food prices are manifold and widely analyzed by the abundance of literature on the subject, that deals essentially with imbalances in demand and supply. On the global demand for food, a factor with a huge impact is the change in diet, especially in emerging countries where, an increase of per capita income corresponds to an increase in the demand for animal-based foods. As the demand for food increases, demand for land increases and pushes prices up, thus fuelling speculation that mainly affects countries where land prices are lower. The paper aims to highlight the behaviour of China and India –which are among the most important emerging countries in terms of economic growth, concentration of population and surface area – with regard to the large-scaleland investment phenomenon. We have aimed to identify those macroeconomic indicators (such as biofuels production, food price index, GDP per capita, cereals production and crude oil prices, usually referred to in order to explain the trend) which best exemplify how they can affect the two countries analyzed in the rush for land. The paper is divided into sections. Following a brief presentation of adopted methodology, an overall picture is presented of agriculture, renewable energy and land investment in China and India and, by means of a correlation matrix, the impact that some macroeconomic variables have on the phenomenon have been described.Since 2008, and following dramatic increases in prices, international commodities markets systems have begun changing after decades of relative indifference. The reasons for high, volatile food prices are manifold and widely analyzed by the abundance of literature on the subject, that deals essentially with imbalances in demand and supply. On the global demand for food, a factor with a huge impact is the change in diet, especially in emerging countries where, an increase of per capita income corresponds to an increase in the demand for animal-based foods. As the demand for food increases, demand for land increases and pushes prices up, thus fuelling speculation that mainly affects countries where land prices are lower. The paper aims to highlight the behaviour of China and India –which are among the most important emerging countries in terms of economic growth, concentration of population and surface area – with regard to the large-scaleland investment phenomenon. We have aimed to identify those macroeconomic indicators (such as biofuels production, food price index, GDP per capita, cereals production and crude oil prices, usually referred to in order to explain the trend) which best exemplify how they can affect the two countries analyzed in the rush for land. The paper is divided into sections. Following a brief presentation of adopted methodology, an overall picture is presented of agriculture, renewable energy and land investment in China and India and, by means of a correlation matrix, the impact that some macroeconomic variables have on the phenomenon have been described

Trade creation and diversion: effects of EU enlargement on agricultural and food products and selected Asian countries

Based on estimation of the gravity equation, this article aims to scrutinise the trade effects emanating from the economic integration of the European Union (EU) by focusing on the trade diversion and trade creation effects of the fifth EU enlargement on 12 groups of agricultural and food products. This paper analyses the changes due to the EU’s enlargement of trade patterns in the agricultural and food sectors among the EU member states and between EU and non-EU countries as well as the effects of the enlargement on exports of agricultural and food products from selected Asian countries to the EU market. Our analysis shows no decline in exports from EU to non-EU countries. Trade creation effects are significantly high for 4 product groups: seafood, woody plants, beverages and tobacco, and animal and vegetable materials. However, trade diversion effects are found in animal and vegetable oils and textile fibres. Moreover, the economic integration has had no significant effect on exports from Asian countries, namely agricultural and food products. The data of 38 countries cover the period 1999–2015

Food security, food safety and pesticides: China and the EU compared

To control pests that may damage crops during production, storage or transportation, chemical pesticides are usually used. On the one hand, the use of pesticides can help to reduce yield losses caused by pests, pathogens, and weeds and thereby help feed the world’s population; on the other hand, such agricultural practices can profoundly affect limited natural resources. Starting from these premises, the main objective of this paper is to explore the relationship between food security and food safety, while pointing out the role played in this relationship by pesticides, focusing on the case studies of the EU and China. To this purpose, the paper outlines the international framework on pesticides and the legal framework in the EU and China, analyzes pesticide markets, and considers the concerns related to their use. The overview of the situation in the EU and China allows us to identify challenges and opportunities for future developments in terms of food security and safety and food trade relationships between Europe and China. Tension and mutual disputes have occurred in the past due to increasing risks for consumers and workers handling pesticides, food scandals and difficulties in the mutual recognition of food quality certification schemes, which call for sustainable production methods

Sustainability in Peripheral and Ultra-Peripheral Rural Areas through a Multi-Attribute Analysis: The Case of the Italian Insular Region

Italy has adopted the strategy of inner areas, mainly based on physical distance from public services. The strategy promotes a multi-level and multi-fund governance approach and the local partnership of mayors. Our paper focuses on rural areas, identified by the national strategy of inner areas, as peripheral and ultra-peripheral, in the Italian insular region (Sicily and Sardinia). It analyzes, at the municipality level, socio-demographic, economic, and environmental sustainability using appropriate indicators. Aiming at discovering the underlying relationship portrayed by multi-attribute data in an information system, we applied rough set theory. The inductive decision rules obtained through this data mining methodology reveal the simultaneous presence or absence of important characteristics aiming at reaching different levels of sustainability. Without the requirement of statistical assumptions regarding data distribution or structures for collecting data, such as functions or equations, this method ensures the description of patterns exhibited by data. Of particular interest is the assessment of conditional attributes (i.e., the selected indicators), and the information connecting them to sustainability, as a decision attribute. The most important result is rule generation, specifically, decision rules that are able to suggest tools for policy makers at different levels

Food security and trade policies: evidence from the milk sector case study

- Purpose. Milk is one of the most produced, consumed and protected agricultural commodities worldwide. The purpose of this paper is to assess how trade-opening policies can foster food security in the Chinese milk sector. - Design/methodology/approach. The empirical evidence proposed in our paper is based on time series data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China (2019) and FAOSTAT (2020). Differences in income elasticity between urban and rural areas are estimated by OLS regressions. The data also provide empirical evidence to assess to what extent and to which countries China is resorting to meet its growing demand. - Findings. Per-capita milk consumption of Chinese is rising. The authors’ estimates show that milk income elasticity is higher in rural areas. China is also progressively increasing its dependence on imports. Producers who benefit the most are those from countries implementing trade-opening policies. - Research limitations/implications. Other methods could be applied, by way of example, the gravitational model. - Practical implications. Trade agreements and the removal of barriers could be effective responses to protectionist pressures and to food security concerns. - Social implications. The case examined is of particular interest as it intervenes on food security and safety. - Originality/value. The paper adds value and evidence to the effects of trade on food security in a country with limited and exploited natural resources addressing a health emergency and environmental concerns

Weather events vs food security: an Asian perspective from the supply side

Extreme weather events are expected to increase. The paper provides a concise overview of climate change as well as issues pertaining to extreme weather events. Several indicators used to quantify climate variability, to assess countries’ vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather negative impacts are presented. In Asia rice assumes strategic relevance, thus accounting most of the world production and consumption. This paper aims at expanding the above statement and at investigating the potential effects of weather events on rice supply using a multiple regression analysis. Given its vulnerability to climate change and its limited ability to cope with it, Asia is expected to be severely affected by the adverse impacts of extreme weather conditions, where food security still represents a major concern

The impact of Exchange Rate Volatility on Korea-Japan Trade Flows: An Industry Level Analysis

The existing literature, in both theoretical and empirical viewpoints, indicates that there is no consensus regarding the effects of exchange rate volatility on bilateral trade flows. It can show the different effects across countries and industries. This article examines impact of volatility of exchange rate on 57 importing and 69 exporting industries of Korea vis-à-vis Japan. The study is conducted by employing disaggregated trade data (3-digit level of SITC product) to avoid the aggregation bias problem. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) cointegration model is adopted in the empirical estimation, using annual data during 1970 to 2016. The findings indicate that the exchange rate volatility affects bilateral trade flows between Korea and Japan in both short run and long run. Nevertheless, the majority of industries are unaffected in the long run. The number of negatively affected industries are remarkably higher than the positively affected ones in both exporting and importing products. The machinery and transport equipment (SITC7) are the most negatively affected commodities of both importing and exporting products. While the effects of income on bilateral trade flows are in line with the theoretical prediction, the majority of industries are not affected by the real exchange rate in the long run

The Chinese Food Industry: Development, Constraints and Policies

Given the phenomenon of growing urbanization, the pressure on food demand for a rising population as well as changing diets, China has had to resor t to impor ts, becoming a net impor ter of food. In absence of external flows, this scenar io is set to continue and could then mater ial ize in a future Mal thusian scenario. Improved ef ficiency and productivity, reform of land use r ights, but also the pol icy of "going out" or land grabbing are some of the plausible strategies that the country could improve to avoid an inexorable stabil ization or , at worst, a decline in domestic production, as wel l taking into account the impact of climate change on agricultural commodi ties. Starting from these premises, the paper aims to analyze the existing scenario identifying constrains and policies that could prevent the development of the Chinese food industry