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Assessing Sustainability of Organic Livestock Farming in Sicily: A Case Study Using the FAO SAFA Framework

Author

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  • Mariarita Cammarata

    (Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Timpanaro

    (Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Alessandro Scuderi

    (Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

Abstract

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and pollutants, soil erosion and groundwater pollution are some of the negative aspects blamed on livestock farming, so their level of sustainability needs to be assessed, taking into account the territory in which they operate. The research focuses on the assessment of sustainability performance in the four dimensions of good governance: environmental integrity, economic resilience and social well-being, considered by the ‘‘Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture Systems’’ (SAFA) tool developed by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The objective of applying this methodology is to highlight the sustainability dimensions in which the ten analyzed farms are weakest and the ones in which they show the most strength, in order to provide farmers a tool to understand the criticalities on which to intervene. The farms considered follow the principles of agroecology and organic farming, which are decisive in the pursuit of sustainable development. The overall results show a satisfactory level of sustainability with high prospects for improvement, in line with the EU commitments undertaken in the Green Deal and the Millennium Development Goals. Livestock farms must, therefore, be encouraged and accompanied with targeted technical assistance strategies and appropriate agroecological protocols.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariarita Cammarata & Giuseppe Timpanaro & Alessandro Scuderi, 2021. "Assessing Sustainability of Organic Livestock Farming in Sicily: A Case Study Using the FAO SAFA Framework," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:11:y:2021:i:3:p:274-:d:522458
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