IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i2p787-d480702.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Insights about the Choice of Pig Manure Processing System in Three Italian Regions: Piemonte, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Veneto

Author

Listed:
  • Pietro De Marinis

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy)

  • Omar Ferrari

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy)

  • Erica Allisiardi

    (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Science, University of Turin, 10095 Torino, Italy)

  • Chiara De Mattia

    (Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padua, 35122 Padova, Italy)

  • Giuliana Caliandro

    (Department of Agrifood, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy)

  • Elio Dinuccio

    (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Science, University of Turin, 10095 Torino, Italy)

  • Maurizio Borin

    (Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padua, 35122 Padova, Italy)

  • Paolo Ceccon

    (Department of Agrifood, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy)

  • Guido Sali

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy)

  • Giorgio Provolo

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy)

Abstract

The adoption of best available technologies (BATs) by the livestock sector has a fundamental role in developing a sustainable agricultural system. Italy is the EU member with the highest percentage of manure treated, but processing facilities are regionally scattered and the adoption of BATs is far from being scaled-up. The adoption is a matter of multicriteria decision-making and full knowledge on how to foster the transition is still lacking. The present research aims to deepen the available knowledge by analysing the perception of 40 pig farm managers about decision criteria behind the adopted manure management system across three different Italian regions. We assessed farms in Piemonte, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Veneto. All farms have adequate storage facilities, but 82.5% adopt no processing technique. The two most important decision criteria are economic, i.e., the minimization of treatment and spreading costs. The emerging picture allows us to conclude that BAT adoption is still adopted as a mere consequence of legal obligation. Economic constraints prevail as there is a lack of information and uncertainty. Clear perspectives and recognition of virtuous behavior prevent farmers from making decisions based on environmental or social criteria. Therefore, effective policies oriented to fill these gaps are needed to accelerate the transition towards sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Pietro De Marinis & Omar Ferrari & Erica Allisiardi & Chiara De Mattia & Giuliana Caliandro & Elio Dinuccio & Maurizio Borin & Paolo Ceccon & Guido Sali & Giorgio Provolo, 2021. "Insights about the Choice of Pig Manure Processing System in Three Italian Regions: Piemonte, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Veneto," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-24, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:2:p:787-:d:480702
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/2/787/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/2/787/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alberto Finzi & Gabriele Mattachini & Daniela Lovarelli & Elisabetta Riva & Giorgio Provolo, 2020. "Technical, Economic, and Environmental Assessment of a Collective Integrated Treatment System for Energy Recovery and Nutrient Removal from Livestock Manure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-18, April.
    2. Jingyuan Cai & Liguo Zhang & Jing Tang & Dan Pan, 2019. "Adoption of Multiple Sustainable Manure Treatment Technologies by Pig Farmers in Rural China: A Case Study of Poyang Lake Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-18, November.
    3. Valdemir Antoneli & Ana Caroline Mosele & João Anésio Bednarz & Manuel Pulido-Fernández & Javier Lozano-Parra & Saskia Deborah Keesstra & Jesús Rodrigo-Comino, 2019. "Effects of Applying Liquid Swine Manure on Soil Quality and Yield Production in Tropical Soybean Crops (Paraná, Brazil)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(14), pages 1-11, July.
    4. Kari-Anne Lyng & Mia Bjerkestrand & Aina Elstad Stensgård & Pieter Callewaert & Ole Jørgen Hanssen, 2018. "Optimising Anaerobic Digestion of Manure Resources at a Regional Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-18, January.
    5. Antonia Weishaupt & Felix Ekardt & Beatrice Garske & Jessica Stubenrauch & Jutta Wieding, 2020. "Land Use, Livestock, Quantity Governance, and Economic Instruments—Sustainability Beyond Big Livestock Herds and Fossil Fuels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-27, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Zehua Wang & Fachao Liang & Sheng-Hau Lin, 2023. "Can socially sustainable development be achieved through homestead withdrawal? A hybrid multiple-attributes decision analysis," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Stubenrauch, Jessica & Garske, Beatrice, 2023. "Forest protection in the EU's renewable energy directive and nature conservation legislation in light of the climate and biodiversity crisis – Identifying legal shortcomings and solutions," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    3. Estévez, Sofía & Rebolledo-Leiva, Ricardo & Hernández, Diógenes & González-García, Sara & Feijoo, Gumersindo & Moreira, María Teresa, 2023. "Benchmarking composting, anaerobic digestion and dark fermentation for apple vinasse management as a strategy for sustainable energy production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
    4. Venkatesh Paramesh & Giri Bhavan Sreekanth & Eaknath. B. Chakurkar & H.B. Chethan Kumar & Parappurath Gokuldas & Kallakeri Kannappa Manohara & Gopal Ramdas Mahajan & Racharla Solomon Rajkumar & Natesa, 2020. "Ecosystem Network Analysis in a Smallholder Integrated Crop–Livestock System for Coastal Lowland Situation in Tropical Humid Conditions of India," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-16, June.
    5. Günther, Philipp & Ekardt, Felix, 2022. "Human Rights and Large-Scale Carbon Dioxide Removal: Potential Limits to BECCS and DACCS Deployment," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 11(12), pages 1-29.
    6. Marina Segura & Concepción Maroto & Concepción Ginestar & Baldomero Segura, 2018. "Optimization Models to Improve Estimations and Reduce Nitrogen Excretion from Livestock Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-14, July.
    7. Beatrice Garske & Antonia Bau & Felix Ekardt, 2021. "Digitalization and AI in European Agriculture: A Strategy for Achieving Climate and Biodiversity Targets?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-21, April.
    8. Sorina-Simona Moraru & Antoaneta Ene & Alina Badila, 2020. "Physical and Hydro-Physical Characteristics of Soil in the Context of Climate Change. A Case Study in Danube River Basin, SE Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-26, November.
    9. Huanhuan Zhang & Guogang Wang & Jinge Liu & Shuai Hao & Shengnan Huang, 2022. "The Influence of Converting Food Crops to Forage Crops Policy Implementation on Herbivorous Livestock Husbandry Development—Based on Policy Pilot Counties in Hebei, China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-17, November.
    10. Marcello Ermido Chiodini & Michele Costantini & Michele Zoli & Jacopo Bacenetti & Daniele Aspesi & Lorenzo Poggianella & Marco Acutis, 2023. "Real-Scale Study on Methane and Carbon Dioxide Emission Reduction from Dairy Liquid Manure with the Commercial Additive SOP LAGOON," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-13, January.
    11. Daniel Słyś & Kamil Pochwat & Dorian Czarniecki, 2020. "An Analysis of Waste Heat Recovery from Wastewater on Livestock and Agriculture Farms," Resources, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-19, January.
    12. Vella, Andrew & Sacco, Anthony T., 2022. "The Effect Of Poultry, Cattle And Swine Manure Applications To Soil On Lettuce Yield And Quality And Ground Water Contamination Potential," International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Research, Malwa International Journals Publication, vol. 8(2), April.
    13. Philipp Günther & Felix Ekardt, 2022. "Human Rights and Large-Scale Carbon Dioxide Removal: Potential Limits to BECCS and DACCS Deployment," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-29, November.
    14. Artemi Cerdà & Jesús Rodrigo-Comino, 2021. "Regional Farmers’ Perception and Societal Issues in Vineyards Affected by High Erosion Rates," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-18, February.
    15. Köninger, Julia & Lugato, Emanuele & Panagos, Panos & Kochupillai, Mrinalini & Orgiazzi, Alberto & Briones, Maria J.I., 2021. "Manure management and soil biodiversity: Towards more sustainable food systems in the EU," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    16. Jessica Stubenrauch & Beatrice Garske & Felix Ekardt & Katharina Hagemann, 2022. "European Forest Governance: Status Quo and Optimising Options with Regard to the Paris Climate Target," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-35, April.
    17. Felix Ekardt & Benedikt Jacobs & Jessica Stubenrauch & Beatrice Garske, 2020. "Peatland Governance: The Problem of Depicting in Sustainability Governance, Regulatory Law, and Economic Instruments," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-24, March.
    18. Jutta Wieding & Jessica Stubenrauch & Felix Ekardt, 2020. "Human Rights and Precautionary Principle: Limits to Geoengineering, SRM, and IPCC Scenarios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-23, October.
    19. Katharine Heyl & Felix Ekardt & Lennard Sund & Paula Roos, 2022. "Potentials and Limitations of Subsidies in Sustainability Governance: The Example of Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-26, November.
    20. Beatrice Garske & Katharine Heyl & Felix Ekardt & Lea Moana Weber & Wiktoria Gradzka, 2020. "Challenges of Food Waste Governance: An Assessment of European Legislation on Food Waste and Recommendations for Improvement by Economic Instruments," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-23, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:2:p:787-:d:480702. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.