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Economic and Social Sustainability through Organic Agriculture: Study of the Restructuring of the Citrus Sector in the “ Bajo Andarax ” District (Spain)

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  • Juan Torres

    (Research Centre CIAIMBITAL, University of Almería, Ctra. De Sacramento s/n, E04120 Almería, Spain
    Cítricos del Andarax SAT, Paraje Llano Ron s/n, E04560 Gádor, Spain)

  • Diego L. Valera

    (Research Centre CIAIMBITAL, University of Almería, Ctra. De Sacramento s/n, E04120 Almería, Spain)

  • Luis J. Belmonte

    (Research Centre CIAIMBITAL, University of Almería, Ctra. De Sacramento s/n, E04120 Almería, Spain)

  • Carlos Herrero-Sánchez

    (Research Centre CIAIMBITAL, University of Almería, Ctra. De Sacramento s/n, E04120 Almería, Spain)

Abstract

Over 1000 hectares of citrus fruits crops are grown in the Bajo Andarax district in Almeria (Spain). The withdrawal of EU subsidies for conventional production led to a drastic loss of economic profitability of the holdings and, consequently, the abandonment of most of the conventionally managed farms of the district. In this context, a restructuring of the citrus sector from conventional to organic farming was implemented as a strategic measure to achieve the long-term sustainable development of the holdings. This study examines the citrus sector of the district and performs a comprehensive evaluation of the economic sustainability of this shift from conventional to organic production. In addition, the impact of the restructuring of the sector on the social sustainability both at the farm level and at the municipality level is studied. The results of the study are of interest to other agricultural areas of compromised profitability in which a shift towards organic production can represent a viable alternative for the economic and social sustainability of the holdings.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Torres & Diego L. Valera & Luis J. Belmonte & Carlos Herrero-Sánchez, 2016. "Economic and Social Sustainability through Organic Agriculture: Study of the Restructuring of the Citrus Sector in the “ Bajo Andarax ” District (Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:9:p:918-:d:77979
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Pouria Ataei & Hassan Sadighi & Mohammad Chizari & Enayat Abbasi, 2020. "In-depth content analysis of conservation agriculture training programs in Iran based on sustainability dimensions," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(8), pages 7215-7237, December.
    6. Usama Awan & Andrzej Kraslawski & Janne Huiskonen, 2018. "Governing Interfirm Relationships for Social Sustainability: The Relationship between Governance Mechanisms, Sustainable Collaboration, and Cultural Intelligence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-20, November.
    7. Seid Hussen Muhie, 2023. "Concepts, Principles, and Application of Biodynamic Farming: a Review," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 291-304, March.
    8. Cei, Leonardo & Stefani, Gianluca & Defrancesco, Edi, . "The role of group-time treatment effect heterogeneity in long standing European agricultural policies. An application to the European geographical indication policy," Bio-based and Applied Economics Journal, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA), vol. 9(01).
    9. Qifan Hu & Bing Xu, 2019. "Differential Game Analysis of Optimal Strategies and Cooperation in Omni-Channel Organic Agricultural Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-34, February.
    10. Vanessa Campos & Joan R. Sanchis & Carmen Talavera, 2021. "The Importance of Social Value in Agroecological Farms: Adjusting the Common Good Balance Sheet to Improve Their Sustainable Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-24, January.
    11. Mireille N. Honoré & Luis J. Belmonte-Ureña & Asensio Navarro-Velasco & Francisco Camacho-Ferre, 2019. "Profit Analysis of Papaya Crops under Greenhouses as an Alternative to Traditional Intensive Horticulture in Southeast Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-22, August.
    12. De Leijster, V. & Verburg, R.W. & Santos, M.J. & Wassen, M.J. & Martínez-Mena, M. & de Vente, J. & Verweij, P.A., 2020. "Almond farm profitability under agroecological management in south-eastern Spain: Accounting for externalities and opportunity costs," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    13. Piotr Sulewski & Anna Kłoczko-Gajewska & Wojciech Sroka, 2018. "Relations between Agri-Environmental, Economic and Social Dimensions of Farms’ Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-23, December.
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