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Sustainability Assessment of Organic Vegetable Production Using a Qualitative Multi-Attribute Model

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  • Ileana Iocola

    (Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria, Centro di Ricerca Agricoltura Ambiente (CREA-AA), Via della Navicella 2-4, 00184 Roma (RM), Italy)

  • Gabriele Campanelli

    (Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria, Centro di Ricerca Orticoltura e Florovivaismo (CREA-OF), Via Salaria 1, 63030 Monsapolo del Tronto (AP), Italy)

  • Mariangela Diacono

    (Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria, Centro di Ricerca Agricoltura Ambiente (CREA-AA), Via Celso Ulpiani 5, 70125 Bari (BA), Italy)

  • Fabrizio Leteo

    (Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria, Centro di Ricerca Orticoltura e Florovivaismo (CREA-OF), Via Salaria 1, 63030 Monsapolo del Tronto (AP), Italy)

  • Francesco Montemurro

    (Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria, Centro di Ricerca Orticoltura e Florovivaismo (CREA-OF), Via Salaria 1, 63030 Monsapolo del Tronto (AP), Italy)

  • Alessandro Persiani

    (Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria, Centro di Ricerca Agricoltura Ambiente (CREA-AA), Via Celso Ulpiani 5, 70125 Bari (BA), Italy)

  • Stefano Canali

    (Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria, Centro di Ricerca Agricoltura Ambiente (CREA-AA), Via della Navicella 2-4, 00184 Roma (RM), Italy)

Abstract

Organic agriculture is perceived as environmentally sustainable, but, under its umbrella, different production systems exist ranging from simplified organic productions to well diversified systems with a full implementation of agro-ecological approaches. Among several developed tools for agriculture sustainability assessment, multi-criteria models are increasingly gaining importance. In this study, we evaluated the use of the multi-criteria DEXi-BIOrt tool, coupled with data from long-term experiments, for the sustainability assessment of different organic vegetable production scenarios. These scenarios were applied in two Italian areas: the Adriatic coast of Marche Region and the Metaponto plan of Basilicata Region. Despite the presence of some critical issues, DEXI-BIOrt proved to be a valid tool for the sustainability evaluation of organic vegetable productions. In both areas, the most sustainable scenarios resulted the well diversified organic systems characterized by proper rotations, inclusion of agro-ecological service crops, cultivation of local and different cultivars, and presence of short supply chain mechanisms. Conversely, the implementation of the simplified organic substitution scenarios does not guarantee a suitable level of sustainability. The findings of this study could support decision makers in the implementation of appropriate measures for enhancing organic production sustainability in the framework of post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Ileana Iocola & Gabriele Campanelli & Mariangela Diacono & Fabrizio Leteo & Francesco Montemurro & Alessandro Persiani & Stefano Canali, 2018. "Sustainability Assessment of Organic Vegetable Production Using a Qualitative Multi-Attribute Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:10:p:3820-:d:177376
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Iulia Sorina Dan & Ionel Mugurel Jitea, 2023. "Barriers and Levers in the Development of the Value Chain of Organic Vegetables in Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Bilgesu Bayir & Aurélie Charles & Aicha Sekhari & Yacine Ouzrout, 2022. "Issues and Challenges in Short Food Supply Chains: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-20, March.
    3. Salvatore Squatrito & Elena Arena & Rosa Palmeri & Biagio Fallico, 2020. "Public and Private Standards in Crop Production: Their Role in Ensuring Safety and Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-16, January.
    4. Ioan Sebastian Brumă & Simona-Roxana Ulman & Cristina Cautisanu & Lucian Tanasă & Gabriel Vasile Hoha, 2021. "Sustainability in the Case of Small Vegetable Farmers: A Matrix Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-32, September.

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