The Generational Turnover in Agriculture: Theoretical Problems and Empirical Evidences

The purpose of this study is to understand the causes determining the exit from the sector of young adults. Drawing from migration and succession theories, a number of factors, hypothesised to influence the decision, are tested using a Probit model. The findings lend support for the selectivity hypothesis: low incomes are negatively related with the propensity to stay in the sector. The exit of young could be related to the low earnings and to the preferences of individuals. The intergenerational transfer seems to be the result of an involvement in the farm activity.Generational-turnover, migration, transfer farms, Farm Management,

Eating Behaviour and Well-being: An Analysis on the Aspects of Italian Daily Life

Abstract Nutrition related diseases have reached epidemic proportions in Western Countries. Because of the huge economic costs and the impact on human well-being, nutrition and related disease have become a major public health concern. In this research paper we analyse the factors determining obesity, starting from the ISTAT multipurpose survey "Aspects of italian daily life" on the households, carried out in 2012. The analysis was based on multiple correspondence analysis and using logistic regression models. Starting from the main variables related to nutritional habits, eating habits and eating out, sedentary lifestyle, socio-economic status indicators that imply a different diet we have tried to shed light on the main factors responsible for obesity. From this evidence we tried to suggest the policy interventions can be implemented in order to act on the problem

Adherence of systematic reviews to Cochrane RoB2 guidance was frequently poor : A meta epidemiological study

Objectives To assess whether the use of the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials (RoB2) in systematic reviews (SRs) adheres to RoB2 guidance. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library from 2019 to May 2021 to identify SRs using RoB2. We analyzed methods and results sections to see whether risk of bias was assessed at outcome measure level and applied to primary outcomes of the SR as per RoB2 guidance. The relation between SR characteristics and adequacy of RoB2 use was examined by logistic regression analysis. Results Two hundred-eight SRs were included. We could assess adherence in 137 SRs as 12 declared using RoB2 but actually used RoB1 and 59 did not report the number of primary outcomes. The tool usage was adherent in 69.3% SRs. Considering SRs with multiple primary outcomes, adherence dropped to 28.8%. We found a positive association between RoB2 guidance adherence and the methodological quality of the reviews assessed by AMSTAR2 (p-for-trend 0.007). Multivariable regression analysis suggested journal impact factor [first quartile vs. other quartiles] was associated with RoB2 adherence (OR 0.34; 95% CI: 0.16-0.72). Conclusions Many SRs did not adhere to RoB2 guidance as they applied the tool at the study level rather than at the outcome measure level. Lack of adherence was more likely among low and very low quality reviews

The Generational Turnover in Agriculture: Theoretical Problems and Empirical Evidences

The purpose of this study is to understand the causes determining the exit from the sector of young adults. Drawing from migration and succession theories, a number of factors, hypothesised to influence the decision, are tested using a Probit model. The findings lend support for the selectivity hypothesis: low incomes are negatively related with the propensity to stay in the sector. The exit of young could be related to the low earnings and to the preferences of individuals. The intergenerational transfer seems to be the result of an involvement in the farm activity

Organizational managerial and economic aspects of the bread chain

Bread is a food of worldwide importance. Italy is a country where bread has a long cultural tradition and It can count on five kinds of bread recognized by the European Union: Coppia Ferrarese (I.G.P.),Pagnotta of Dittaino (D.O.P.), Pane Casareccio of Genzano (I.G.P.), Bread of Altamura (D.O.P.) – currently suspended – and Bread of Matera (I.G.P.).The basic ingredients of bread are cereal flour, water, leavening agent, and salt.The chain of bread involves several phases, on global and local level, from input production to consumption of the product.The production process involves working processes that can take place in small-scale installations (artisan) or in large industrial installations.In addition to the difference of scale in terms of amount of raw materials and final products, the handicraft production systems normally differ from the industrial systems for technology and environmental impact

The low commercial value fish. How can we increase its consumption

The primary aim of this research was to understand the target species of interest for a sustainable promotion and development strategy for fish products. We focus on the fish termed “low commercial value fish” (LCVF), which fetch lower prices when compared to well-known fish species. This work was laid out in several different steps: a description of the type of species chosen, an analysis of fish consumer demand and the added value that comes from local identity and from the culture of production and consumption. After a preliminary analysis of Lazio's fish exports the region did not exhibit a competitive advantage in this sector but Lazio shows some productive characteristics that might be extended to several other cases. In particular, it has a productive tradition of fishing. The empirical analysis conducted on local consumers showed a local fish culture in consumption terms that, together with fishing methods, local fish consumption and production characteristics, suggests a promotion and development strategy based on the factors surrounding territorial identity

L’identità territoriale quale fattore di valorizzazione della filiera pesca

A valorization strategy needs to meet three main priorities: fulfil customer needs, be profitable to the operator and solve the problem of selling the products on the market. The first objective of this research was to understand the target species of interest for a sustainable valorization strategy of fish products. The target species are those of low commercial value which are fished locally during the whole year and can be consumed both as fresh fish and as transformed fish products. The choice of these fish species was based on the unsustainable fish catches and on the local historical assets of the traditional methods of fishing and of the conservation techniques. In particular, we focus our attention on the fish known as "poor fish", which has a lower commercial attraction compared to the well known fish species. This work is articulated in several different steps: the description of the type of species chosen, the analysis of fish consumer demand and the added value that comes from local identity and from the culture of production and consumption. The outcome of these results form the base to define the valorization strategies to adopt. This research was conducted in the Lazio region. After a preliminary analysis of Lazio’s fish export towards eu 27, compared to exports of other Italian regions towards the eu 27, the Lazio region did not show a competitive advantage in this sector. Even if it is not competitive in terms of fish export, this region showed some productive characteristics that can be extended to several other cases. In fact, it has a productive tradition of fishing but it is only marginal fishing in terms of quantity and quality of the local fish species. The empirical analysis conducted on local consumers showed a local fish culture on a consumption that, together with fishing methods, local fish consumption and production characteristics, suggested a valorization strategy based on the territorial identity factors.

Do Consumers Adhere to a Sustainable Mediterranean Food Pattern? An Analysis of Southern Italian Consumer Practices

The Mediterranean diet (MD) concept has evolved in recent decades, moving from the perception of a healthy diet model to the awareness that it is also a sustainable food model. This dietary model, in fact, brings benefits in terms of nutrition, health, and maintenance of local traditions and food culture, but it also has a better impact in terms of the emission of greenhouse gasses, water and land use, energy consumption, and environment contamination. The aim of this study is to analyze the knowledge of and the adherence to the Mediterranean diet in a sample of adults in southern Italy during 2022, as well as their orientation towards the social dimension of sustainability (in terms of human health and animal welfare) and towards environmental sustainability. To collect information, a questionnaire was prepared for a population of 570 Italian consumers. Using the data from the questionnaires, a multivariate analysis was developed by performing a principal component analysis and a cluster analysis. The results of the empirical analysis proposed by the present study confirm the fact that the analyzed sample lacks adequate knowledge of the MD and, as a result, does not satisfactorily adhere to a healthier lifestyle marked by the criteria of this diet. Most of the clusters derived from the empirical analysis demonstrate low-to-moderate adherence to the MD. There is a need to generate renewed interest in the general population in a sustainable dietary pattern that provides nutritional, environmental, and social benefits. This requires effective health promotion and national interventions to promote the health benefits of the MD

Does quality really matter? Variables that drive postmodern consumer choices

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the factors that affect consumer choices for both policymakers and food companies. Design/methodology/approach – Four hundred questionnaires were administered in the city of Florence (Tuscany, Italy). Data analysis was carried out according to a two-step procedure in a multivariate statistical framework: in the first stage, a multiple correspondence analysis was performed; in the second step, the single-link (nearest neighbour) cluster analysis allowed three homogeneous groups of consumers to be identified on the basis of their specific socio-demographic characteristics. Findings – Three consumer clusters were obtained: the first, “critical but non-philanthropic consumers”, who may have pathologies that require a particular diet; the second, “marginally critical consumers”, for whom freshness, the label and the assortment count for much; the third, “agnostic consumers”, who choose a product according to its origin and the price/quality relationship, while ethical aspects, health claims or information on the use are not considered as important. Social implications – From the results it may be deduced that although recent regulations will lead to greater transparency, in many respects consumers may not be able to grasp aspects of higher quality from the label among competing products. Originality/value – The results seem to run contrary to the trends identified in other studies with regard to critical and socially responsible production attributes. Except in cases where consumers are sensitised by the presence of food-related diseases encountered within their own family, they may not be able to grasp higher-quality aspects from the label among competing products. From the results it is evident that both educational and generational issues come into play with regard to food choices, closely linked to the media from which information is obtained