Soft innovations and Alternative Food Networks for sustainable agrifood systems

Economics as a science is rooted on the concept of finite resources. While resources are limited, humans have unlimited wants, hence they have to choose and make trade-offs: in other words, we have to efficiently allocate resources. Notwithstanding this very basic concept, the contemporary mass production and consumption models do not take into account resource scarcity and behave as if there exist no limit to growth and consumption. Luckily, however, after a few decades of academic debate, the topic of sustainability has been mainstreamed in politics and society as well. While global institutions started discussing and promoting sustainability since the early 1980\u2019s, consumer awareness over sustainability issues is a more recent phenomenon, which has gained popularity since the early 2000\u2019s. The adoption of sustainable lifestyles and consumption behaviours among a growing number of consumers pushes suppliers to offer alternative products and processes which consume less resources, generate less pollution, are more easily and safely disposed at the end of their lifecycle, i.e. are more sustainable. Moreover, not only environmental concerns drive these consumers\u2019 choiches: indeed, they usually take into account different aspects of the sustainability spectrum, and include ethical and social considerations as well. The research presented in this document explores the contemporary trends in alternative and ethical consumption behaviours, in particular in the field of food choice. Nutrition in its nature is a basic human need and deeply rooted into all cultures, however inefficiencies and negative externalities of the global industrial food system are extremely costly. In response to the drawbacks of the green revolution, governments, practitioners, and researchers explore alternative production systems, which are expected to be more sustainable. We are witnessing a soft form of agricultural innovation, not only based on technical progress, but also on social relationships and values. Hence, this research explores the motivations for consumers and producers to participate in Alternative Food Networks (AFNs), together with the individual and social gains which AFNs generate. This document follows a three-paper structure. The first paper provides a broad review of the literature on agricultural economics and food production before and after sustainability became a leading concept, then provides an overview on present research trends linked to agrifood business and sustainable food production. The second paper presents an exploratory model to analyse consumer participation to, and satisfaction over AFNs. The spatial focus of this research is the Northeast Italy, as it is home to a broad variety of AFNs: farmers markets, community gardens, community-supported agriculture, box schemes, ethical purchasing groups. Finally, the third paper investigates the extreme trend of sustainable consumption and its spillovers, that is when consumers become producers: it reports a case study on the urban farming model of Ljubljana, and how urban farming, as a green infrastructure, contributes to build a sustainable city, generating goods, services, and amenities for the entire community

An inquiry on north-eastern Italian farmers' perception of climate change and related risks to agriculture

Even though agricultural activities have always had to face systemic risk, increasing uncertainty linked to market conditions, policy revision and climate change require the adoption of extensive, functional and informed risk management strategies. Our study aims to investigate north-eastern Italian farmers’ perception of climate change-related risks and attitudes towards adaptation strategies, in order to promote the adoption of effective communication strategies and the development of more attractive insurance schemes to widen famers’ interests. Cross-sectional survey data were analysed using structural equation modelling to explore concerns over the impact of climate change on agricultural activities and identify the factors that promote the adoption of coping strategies. According to the results, the actual experience of negative consequences linked to specific extreme meteorological events is the main driver for the adoption of mitigation strategies. Further efforts on awareness of climate change and its consequences, coupled with the provision of simpler and more tailored insurance schemes, are required to support a widespread diffusion of adaptation strategies among farmers

Innovative Local Development Initiatives in the Eastern Alps: Forest Therapy, Land Consolidation Associations and Mountaineering Villages

Since the 19th century, Italy’s mountain regions have suffered from depopulation and land abandonment. How can we counter this phenomenon? Here, we present three cases of innovative and participatory approaches implemented in the Eastern Alps of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Forest therapy is a new approach to medical therapy based on the beneficial effects on the human health of frequenting forests. It also has the potential to provide space for local economic initiatives, e.g., hospitality services. Land consolidation associations were created in France to collectively restore the productivity of fragmented and abandoned farmland. They can evolve into long-term planning for the conservation of landed wealth and the valorization of territories. Finally, Mountaineering villages have the potential to develop a more sustainable form of tourism by fostering a sense of responsibility for the natural and cultural heritage of the European Alps, in accordance with the Alpine onvention. These initiatives share the involvement of local actors in the definition of local development strategies, the capability of enhancing endogenous resources and increasing the environmental value of places, the importance of offering qualified and organized services, and the ability to support the local socioeconomic system. The adoption of innovative and participatory approaches such as these has the potential to revert depopulation and economic depression trends in mountain areas

Gestione collettiva dei patrimoni fondiari montani: le Associazioni Fondiarie e il caso dell’Asfo Erbezzo

Centuries-long interactions between men and the mountains have shaped rural landscape, local biodiversity, rural culture and societies. However, urbanization and rural depopulation trends have compromised this delicate equilibrium, posing major concerns to the persistence of the cultural, economic and natural heritage, in particular in the Alps. Land ownership fragmentation is one of the leading factors of mountain depopulation in Latin Alps, hindering development and profitability of mountain agriculture. Land Consolidation Associations provide an alternative land asset management model, characterized by shared planning, management and use of multiple small land parcels. The paper presents the emergence and development of this co-ownership model in Italy, with a specific focus on the Land Consolidation Association of the Erbezzo Valley, at the foot of the Julian Alps. The Asfo Erbezzo case represents a successful experience of re-composition, collective management and recovery of small, underexploited, and often abandoned land parcels, and a unique sustainable development model, whose benefits are shared among original land owners as well as the local community as a whole

GESTIONE COLLETTIVA DEI PATRIMONI FONDIARI MONTANI: LE ASSOCIAZIONI FONDIARIE E IL CASO DELL'ASFO ERBEZZO

Centuries-long interactions between men and the mountains have shaped rural landscape, local biodiversity, rural culture and societies. However, urbanization and rural depopulation trends have compromised this delicate equilibrium, posing major concerns to the persistence of the cultural, economic and natural heritage, in particular in the Alps. Land ownership fragmentation is one of the leading factors of mountain depopulation in Latin Alps, hindering development and profitability of mountain agriculture. Land Consolidation Associations provide an alternative land asset management model, characterized by shared planning, management and use of multiple small land parcels. The paper presents the emergence and development of this co-ownership model in Italy, with a specific focus on the Land Consolidation Association of the Erbezzo Valley, at the foot of the Julian Alps. The Asfo Erbezzo case represents a successful experience of re-composition, collective management and recovery of small, underexploited, and often abandoned land parcels, and a unique sustainable development model, whose benefits are shared among original land owners as well as the local community as a whole

Designation and Certification Strategies for Fungus-Resistant Grape Wines: An Exploratory Study in Italy

Fungus-resistant grapes (FRGs), or pilzwiderstandfähig (PIWI) in German, are obtained through crossbreeding Vitis vinifera and other Vitis species. FRG adoption is among the most promising strategies to pursue and improve sustainability in the wine industry; however, actual spread and impact on sustainability will largely depend on designation and certification possibilities and procedures for FRG wines, in line with the framework set by the European Union (EU) Regulation 2021/2117. The aim of this study is to discuss the potential impact on consumers’ preferences of four hypothetical designation and certification settings for FRG wines: (I) new names without certification; (II) extended use of the original Vitis vinifera variety names without certification; (III) new names and ad-hoc designations (Protected Designation of Origin, PDO); (IV) extended use of the original Vitis vinifera variety names and existing PDOs. Participants’ reactivity to the alternatives was tested through market simulations on a non-probabilistic sample of 301 Italian university students. According to the results, extension of existing names and PDOs is the best option to enhance industry sustainability, preserve its quality paradigm, and fairly manage competition between traditional and new wines. Still, further investments are needed to promote FRG adoption and development

LA PARTECIPAZIONE DEI MILLENNIALS ALL’AGRICOLTURA URBANA: UN’ANALISI EMPIRICA

Emerging global trends in urbanization and population growth put at risk the sustainability and resilience of current food production and consumption models. Growing urbanization of rural people reduces the availability of agricultural workforce, while demand for food is increasing. For these reasons, a revision of food production strategies and policies is necessary to guarantee food security. Under this perspective, a growing number of municipalities are adopting urban agriculture and urban gardening as means to increase food production in the city and provide ecosystem services. Our study applies the Theory of Planned Behavior to analyze the attitude of younger Millennials towards urban farming. According to the results, social pressure is the primary catalyst for deciding to undertake urban agriculture and self-production of food. The integration of these evidences in urban food policies is discussed in the conclusion

L\u2019innovazione sociale e la seconda rivoluzione verde

Il termine rivoluzione verde si riferisce ai mutamenti dell\u2019agricoltura mondiale avvenuti a partire dagli anni \u201960 del secolo scorso. I massicci investimenti nella ricerca agronomica e genetica, unitamente alla meccanizzazione dell\u2019attivit\ue0 agricola e all\u2019impiego di fitofarmaci e fertilizzanti di sintesi, rivoluzionarono il settore primario e determinarono un rapido aumento della produttivit\ue0 agricola. Insieme ai progressi in campo medico, la rivoluzione verde \ue8 causa primaria della rapida crescita della popolazione mondiale avvenuta nel corso del \u2018900. La repentina trasformazione dell\u2019agricoltura in un\u2019attivit\ue0 industriale ha generato conseguenze positive diffuse, in primo luogo la maggiore disponibilit\ue0 di cibo a prezzi molto pi\uf9 bassi. Accanto ai vantaggi, tuttavia, esistono anche limiti e conseguenze negative. Dati i limiti della prima rivoluzione verde, il dibattito pubblico internazionale si interroga in modo sempre pi\uf9 insistente su come trovare un equilibrio tra la crescente domanda alimentare globale, spinta dall\u2019aumento della popolazione, e la necessit\ue0 di preservare le limitate risorse del nostro pianeta (Horlings e Marsden, 2011). Cresce la necessit\ue0 di una seconda rivoluzione verde, capace di risolvere le problematiche attuali e garantire uno sviluppo equo e rispettoso dell\u2019ambiente. In tale contesto, l\u2019innovazione sociale trova spazio nel settore primario. Gli attributi tipici dell\u2019innovazione sociale, intelligenza, sostenibilit\ue0 e inclusivit\ue0, sono anche le parole d\u2019ordine di un modello emergente di sviluppo rurale

Food solidarity economy: evaluating transition community initiatives in Friuli Venezia Giulia region

Climate change, ecological challenges, and economic and social crises imply paradigmatic and structural innovations. In the effort to drive transition toward sustainability, local communities often take the lead, mobilize support, and organize initiatives based on the principles of solidarity economy. Our study presents a qualitative evaluation and comparison of three local bottom-up initiatives from Friuli Venezia Giulia, a Northern Italian region, each following alternative and unique models of production and consumption of wheat and flour. The reconstruction of the transition paths of the experiences, together with documental analysis and interviews, allowed us to deduce the influence of alternative approaches and subsequent degree of effectiveness in building a community and driving it toward sustainability

Rasch analysis of consumer attitudes towards the mountain product label

In 2012 the European Union adopted the Regulation No. 1151/2012, which, among others, defines the legal framework to protect the originality and authenticity of mountain foods through the “Mountain Product” quality scheme. The research aims to analyze people’s attitudes towards mountain foods and the EU Mountain Product label, as well as their area of origin, i.e., the mountains. For the purpose of this research, the Rasch model was used since its properties make it suitable to identify the measure of interest. The results allow us to identify potential leverage to plan promotional activities in order to enhance the value of mountain food, raise awareness on the EU label, thus improving the sustainability of mountain farms and regions