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Social Farming in the Virtuous System of the Circular Economy. An Exploratory Research

Author

Listed:
  • Agata Nicolosi

    (Department of Agriculture, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy)

  • Valentina Rosa Laganà

    (Department of Agriculture, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy)

  • Donatella Di Gregorio

    (Department of Agriculture, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy)

  • Donatella Privitera

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy)

Abstract

Multifunctionality and social farming represent forms of resilience and innovation within urban and rural systems, making use of agricultural, rural, natural, and cultural resources to produce multiple benefits and eco-systemic services. Social farming (SF) introduces innovative activities capable of representing a factor supporting the competitiveness of the production system and represents a tool for responding to the growing needs of urban and rural populations in social, economic, and environmental terms, in relation to the offer of social- health, social-work, recreative and educational services. SF is an innovative model of territorial, participatory, relational, and community service development that looks to an inclusive, sustainable, fair, and supportive society. Its success is linked to the ability to spread within the economic system and become a circular economy model highlighting good practices and as a virtuous example for other companies. The purpose of this work is to examine the role and social impact that Social Farming has in the environmental, social, and cultural changes of the territories where they are located. Case studies in an area of Southern Italy—the Calabria region—were examined with multicriteria methodologies (social network analysis; multiple correspondence analysis) to identify the type of social activity carried out and the propensity to introduce innovations based on services ecosystems on farms. The results show the potential and value of the companies that carry out these social innovation activities. The analysis carried out has drawn some indicative profiles of socially oriented multifunctional companies.

Suggested Citation

  • Agata Nicolosi & Valentina Rosa Laganà & Donatella Di Gregorio & Donatella Privitera, 2021. "Social Farming in the Virtuous System of the Circular Economy. An Exploratory Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-24, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:2:p:989-:d:483057
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Leena Erälinna & Barbara Szymoniuk, 2021. "Managing a Circular Food System in Sustainable Urban Farming. Experimental Research at the Turku University Campus (Finland)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-19, June.
    2. Francesco Basset, 2023. "The Evaluation of Social Farming through Social Return on Investment: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-14, February.
    3. Ivana Bassi & Matteo Carzedda & Enrico Gori & Luca Iseppi, 2022. "Rasch analysis of consumer attitudes towards the mountain product label," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 10(1), pages 1-25, December.
    4. Roberta Moruzzo & Giulia Granai & Caterina De Benedictis & Morgana Galardi & Vincenzina Colosimo & Jacopo Sforzi & Francesco Di Iacovo, 2022. "The Development of Sustainable Social Farming in Italy: A Case Studies Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-17, November.
    5. Fredy Calizaya & Luz Gómez & Jorge Zegarra & Melvin Pozo & Carmen Mindani & Cirilo Caira & Elmer Calizaya, 2023. "Unveiling Ancestral Sustainability: A Comprehensive Study of Economic, Environmental, and Social Factors in Potato and Quinoa Cultivation in the Highland Aynokas of Puno, Peru," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-23, September.
    6. Fabio A. Madau & Brunella Arru & Roberto Furesi & Paola Sau & Pietro Pulina, 2022. "Public perception of ecosystem and social services produced by Sardinia extensive dairy sheep farming systems," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 10(1), pages 1-42, December.

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