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Agri-Food Economics and Rural Sustainable Development

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Food".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2024) | Viewed by 12919

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Gabriele Scozzafava

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Guest Editor

Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine, 18, 50144 Florence, Italy
Interests: agricultural economics, consumer preferences, food marketing, market research; rural development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Francesca Gerini

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Guest Editor

Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, P.le delle Cascine 18, 50144 Firenze, Italy
Interests: agricultural economics; consumer preferences; food marketing; market research; rural development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The search for rural development models consistent with the SDGs represents a high-priority process facing numerous challenges both in the most developed countries and in those that still have to fight against hunger and extreme poverty.

The development of rural areas must be supported by environmental, social, and economic sustainability to ensure a stable and lasting equilibrium between resources and natural, cultural, and policy frameworks. The agri-food sector of rural areas requires continuous adaptation to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, wars, climate change, pollution, and the abandonment of rural areas, especially by young people.

In this evolving scenario, effective models for achieving resilience, innovation, knowledge, and new sources of competitive advantage should closely interconnect farmers, policy makers, and consumers. These strategic levers provide tools to promptly respond to the challenges of a changing market and society and the need for sustainable rural development, secure supplies, food quality and healthiness, and environmental safeguards.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to expand the state of the art on strategies and management solutions that aim to promote sustainable rural development.

Although the Issue will comprise papers on various topics, the Guest Editors would welcome contributions on the following themes of agri-food economics and policy from the perspective of sustainable rural development:

Economic efficiency of sustainable practices, including organic agriculture.
Farmers' attitudes to adopting sustainable practices.
Resilience of rural communities.
Well-being in rural areas.
The role of multifunctional agriculture.
Food supply chain sustainability.
Marketing of sustainable and local food.
Consumers' preferences towards sustainable and local food.
Policy interventions for promoting sustainable rural development.
Tools for sustainability assessment and indicators.
Appraisal and economic evaluation of public and private goods.

Dr. Gabriele Scozzafava
Dr. Francesca Gerini
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

food supply chain
rural areas
food system
sustainability
consumer behaviour
marketing
sustainable food
rural development
resilience
well-being
SDGs
indicators
sustainability assessment
multifunctional agriculture, appraisal, and economic evaluation

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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23 pages, 2827 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Impact of U.S. Trade Policy Uncertainty on China’s Grain Trade

by Lulu Yang, Yankai Gai, An Zhang and Lihui Wang

Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4332; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114332 - 21 May 2024

Viewed by 1075

Abstract

U.S. trade protectionism has frequently risen recently, and trade policy fluctuations have become increasingly significant. In this context, examining the impact of U.S. trade policy uncertainty on China’s grain trade is of great significance to China’s response to changes in the international trade situation, guaranteeing national food security and promoting sustainable agricultural development. From the statistical data, the U.S. trade policy uncertainty and China’s grain imports primarily show a reverse trend, and China’s grain exports show a positive trend. To further explore the impact of U.S. trade policy uncertainty on China’s grain trade, this study selects the monthly data from July 2003 to December 2022. It conducts impulse response analysis by constructing a vector autoregressive model with stochastic volatility. It is found that the impact of U.S. trade policy uncertainty on China’s grain trade has prominent time-varying characteristics and point-in-time effects, and the impact on different kinds of grain is heterogeneous. In this regard, China needs to clarify the nature of the trade dispute between China and the United States, reasonably utilize the multilateral coordination mechanism of the WTO, coordinate the international and domestic markets, adjust the short board of grain trade, and safeguard the sustainable development of Chinese agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agri-Food Economics and Rural Sustainable Development)

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20 pages, 656 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Food Miles and Regional Logos: Investigating Consumer Preferences in the Midwestern United States

by Kathryn A. Carroll and Lydia Zepeda

Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2735; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072735 - 26 Mar 2024

Viewed by 905

Abstract

Regional food marketing initiatives in the United States include state-sponsored marketing programs, promotional efforts made by non-profit organizations, and retail-level supermarket campaigns. Some employ food miles, while others emphasize state boundaries or regions. Given that U.S. consumers are faced with these options, the objectives of this study are to (1) determine whether consumers have a clear preference ranking between three regional marketing logos currently seen in the marketplace, (2) estimate whether consumers are willing to pay a price premium for food mileage information, and if so, what mileage cutoffs are preferred, and (3) uncover whether displaying food mileage, regional marketing logos, or dual-displaying both sets of information is most preferred by consumers. To address these objectives, an artefactual field experiment featuring a series of non-hypothetical, random nth-priced auctions is conducted with 98 community participants in Wisconsin. The experimental auctions feature cheese displaying a regional marketing logo, a food mileage cutoff, or both simultaneously. A random-effects two-limit tobit model is used to fit the elicited bid data. Our results suggest regional logos referencing smaller geographic areas are preferred over state logos by U.S. consumers who are willing to pay a price premium. Consumers are not willing to pay a price premium for food mileage information unless it is within 50 miles. Our results also suggest larger distances do not meet consumers’ definition of local. Therefore, to appeal to consumers, federal and state agencies, retailers, and producers should consider marketing efforts targeting smaller regional areas. Such efforts could help shorten the food supply chain while providing consumers with an opportunity to make more sustainable food choices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agri-Food Economics and Rural Sustainable Development)

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24 pages, 966 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Downstream and Upstream Preferences of Stakeholders for Sustainability Attributes in the Tomato Value Chain

by Adrià Menéndez i Molist, Zein Kallas and Omar Vicente Guadarrama Fuentes

Sustainability 2024, 16(6), 2505; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062505 - 18 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1678

Abstract

Effectively implementing innovations in agri-food supply chains (AFSCs) is contingent upon stakeholders’ preferences. Using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the objective of this research was to ascertain the degree of willingness among farmers, consumers, and various stakeholders (including processing companies, restaurants, and retailers) in the tomato supply chain of Catalonia (Spain) to shorten the chain and promote local procurement. Based on a set of social, economic, and environmental criteria encompassing sustainability in AFSCs, the results showed that economic factors, particularly profitability and affordability, were the key driving factors in the decisions of stakeholders. However, the considerable importance placed on strategic attributes, including local production, environmental sustainability, and product quality, particularly among consumers, seemed to present a chance to advocate for sustainable alternatives, such as short food supply chains (SFSCs). The AHP methodology facilitates differentiation with respect to the criteria of the decision-making process and serves as a valuable instrument for evaluating the reception of innovations within the AFSC and categorizing the stakeholders who exhibit the greatest interest in them. In order to improve the sustainability of agri-food systems, our findings may be incorporated into strategic plans developed by policymakers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agri-Food Economics and Rural Sustainable Development)

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16 pages, 277 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Who Gives? Non-Commercial Distribution Networks in Domestic Food Production in the Inland North of Sweden

by Dean Bradley Carson, Albert Brunet Johansson and Doris Anna Carson

Sustainability 2024, 16(6), 2300; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062300 - 11 Mar 2024

Viewed by 890

Abstract

This paper examines the social context of “domestic food production” (dfp) in the inland North of Sweden, with a focus on understanding the contributions of non-commercial food distribution to local food security and sustainable rural community-building. We report on the findings of an exploratory pilot study that included an online survey of 305 people who engaged in at least one dfp activity (hunting, fishing, foraging, or farming). The aims were to uncover common social practices of dfp, as well as to identify key values attached to dfp, the extent of commercial and non-commercial distribution of home-produced food, and motivations to give away food. The main findings emphasize the social nature of dfp activities, with the vast majority of respondents undertaking dfp in groups or as part of formal clubs. Key values attached to dfp included social and community-related aspects, while commercial interests were limited. Respondents were more likely to engage in non-commercial distribution networks, usually involving close family and friends. Food givers mostly cited social factors as their main motivations rather than other food-related aspects (such as food security, health benefits, or food waste). Food givers were also likely to receive food from others, emphasizing the relatively narrow and reciprocal character of non-commercial food networks. We conclude that non-commercial dfp networks may be expanded to the broader community by exploiting the social nature of dfp and encouraging generalized reciprocity led by dfp clubs. This could potentially reduce the negative impacts of food deserts whilst also stimulating community interactions, learning and local dfp communities of practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agri-Food Economics and Rural Sustainable Development)

25 pages, 2723 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of Using Solar Dryers on Socio-Economic Conditions of Dried Fish Processors in Cambodia

by Lyhour Hin, Borarin Buntong, Chan Makara Mean, Chhengven Chhoem and P. V. Vara Prasad

Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 2130; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16052130 - 4 Mar 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1834

Abstract

Fish is a vital source of proteins and nutrients and can be eaten in many forms, one of which is dried fish. In Cambodia, fish is mostly dried in traditional ways and can be subject to dust, flies, rain, and weather events, resulting in low-quality products. These issues can be addressed by using solar dryers. Thus, this study was aimed to (1) compare the socio-economic conditions between dried fish processors practicing traditional drying and those using solar dryers, (2) to identify potentials and challenges to dried fish production between the two groups, and (3) to determine the factors affecting income. The study was conducted between May and August 2023, using purposive sampling to select two groups of dried fish processors in three provinces along the river systems in Cambodia. The selection criteria included (1) engagement in year-round dried fish production, (2) at least 100 kg of raw fish dried per month, and (2) willingness to participate in the interviews. Then, 35 dried fish processors that practiced traditional drying and 9 processors that utilized solar dryers were selected. T-tests, chi-square tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Likert scale analysis, and multiple linear regression model were used to compare the socio-economic conditions, perceptions, and the factors affecting the income. The results show that the solar dryer group used more labor, produced more dried fish, and had a higher selling price when compared to the traditional drying group. They had more opportunities to attend training and trusted the solar dryer technology. Meanwhile, the traditional drying group preferred direct sun-drying, but dried fish quality was better when solar dryers were used. Experience, total costs, and the use of solar dryers affect the income. In conclusion, using solar dryers tends to produce dried fish of better quality and a higher income, which is good for both health and improved livelihoods of fish producers and sellers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agri-Food Economics and Rural Sustainable Development)

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15 pages, 891 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analyzing Factors Influencing Farmers in Northeast China to Convert from Corn to Rice Production

by Luan Wang, Chunmiao Liu and Jing Zhang

Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 10120; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310120 - 26 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1143

Abstract

The constantly changing prices of grains such as rice and corn have triggered an increasing number of corn-to-rice projects. This paper takes the progress of the corn-to-rice project in Northeast China as a sample and analyzes the influencing factors of the corn-to-rice project based on binary selection model analysis of the probit method. This study yields the following findings: the relative benefits of rice and corn are the key factors affecting the corn-to-rice project. When the project can improve farmers’ income, their willingness to participate increases significantly; the number of farmers’ family members providing labor is an important factor affecting the decision of corn-to-rice conversion. Accordingly, when the family labor is abundant, they are more willing to change from corn to rice. Farmers will choose the results that are beneficial to them according to their own conditions, and their choices can bring them greater economic benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agri-Food Economics and Rural Sustainable Development)

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16 pages, 2507 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Animal Husbandry in the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park: An Economic-Structural Analysis for the Protection and Enhancement of the Territory and Local Resources

by Michele Cerrato, Giuliana Benincasa, Allegra Iasi and Maria Pergola

Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 7863; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15107863 - 11 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1220

Abstract

This research seeks to deepen the current economic and structural aspects of the livestock farms in the rural territory “Casacastra” (Cilento area), to identify critical issues and development opportunities with the intention to enhance and protect the territory under study also through strengthening forms of local economy. Information about the consistency and the typology of livestock farms present in the study area, and the trend in the last twelve years, were acquired thought the consultation of the national livestock register of the Italian Ministry of Health. Subsequently, a questionnaire was submitted to a sample of farmers to better know the characteristics of the breeders and of the husbandries. The results showed that in the study area, there are 4% of the cattle and sheep herds of the Campania Region, and 7% of those with goats. The most representative farm size is the class with less than 20 animals per breeding type, and between 2010 and 2022, there has been a reduction in the number of all types of analyzed husbandries. The most represented productive orientation is that for meat, while the specialization in the production of milk in sheep and goat breeding is completely absent. The interviews revealed that the breeders are almost all over 40 years of age, with middle and high school qualifications and consolidated experience. The workforce involved in the farms is mainly the family one and often breeders are people engaged in other non-agricultural activities. Despite the permanence in some cases of archaic husbandry methods, the breeders play a key role in the study area for the protection of the territory, and the conservation and enhancement of local animal and plant genetic resources are at risk of extinction. Moreover, the survival of this rural context is linked to the development of new forms of local economy, such as the definition of an experiential rural tourist offer, in which the presence of institutions plays a fundamental role. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agri-Food Economics and Rural Sustainable Development)

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13 pages, 667 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Establishing Communities of Value for Sustainable Localized Food Products: The Case of Mediterranean Olive Oil

by Ivana Radić, Clara Monaco, Claire Cerdan and Iuri Peri

Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2236; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032236 - 25 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2026

Abstract

This case study of the Mediterranean extra virgin olive oil value chain aims to contribute empirical evidence to incorporating the agrobiodiversity concept within mechanisms for value enhancement of origin products, within sustainable local value chains, via building a community around products. The tools and mechanisms for market competitiveness and product differentiation of quality origin products are illustrated, contributing to food systems’ transition towards sustainable development. Our analysis provides three stages of community building around the sustainable, local product: (1) The product positioning phase: all the activities chosen by the producer for the agricultural production, processing, and marketing for value enhancement; all the activities performed before the consumer encounters the product. (2) The consumer attraction phase: the moment when the consumer becomes familiarized with the product; the phase where the institutional capital plays an important role, as often the producers enter markets supported by different groups, networks, or institutions with which they partner. (3) Communities of value co-creation: the final stage of consumer engagement with the product. Communities of value connecting individuals through similar values of sustainability, agrobiodiversity, defending and respecting the environment, and tasty, nutritious food, are substantial components for the transition towards more sustainable origin food systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agri-Food Economics and Rural Sustainable Development)

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15 pages, 470 KiB

Open AccessProject Report

Consumer’s Awareness and Willingness to Pay for Aflatoxin-Free Sunflower Oil from Four Selected Regions in Tanzania

by Ashura Sadick Muhenga and Roselyne Alphonce

Sustainability 2023, 15(16), 12309; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612309 - 12 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1303

Abstract

This study aimed to answer two objectives: assessing consumer awareness of aflatoxin contamination in food and their willingness to pay (WTP) for aflatoxin-free sunflower oil, and investigating the factors influencing consumers’ WTP a premium price for aflatoxin-free sunflower oil. A total of 480 consumers were randomly selected from four towns, and the towns were selected based on the level of aflatoxin contamination incidences: Dodoma (low awareness) and Iringa (high awareness) (towns with high contamination), and Dar es Salaam (low awareness) and Morogoro (high awareness) (towns with low incidence). To elicit consumers’ willingness to pay for aflatoxin-free food, we used the multiple price list technique (MPL) to assess WTP for sunflower oil which is aflatoxin-free and sunflower oil which has not been tested to be aflatoxin-free. Furthermore, an interval regression model was used to estimate WTP and factors influencing WTP a premium price for aflatoxin-free sunflower oil. We found that consumers were willing to pay a premium price for aflatoxin-free sunflower oil. Consumers had a WTP for a premium of up to 1043 TZS for 1 L of aflatoxin-free sunflower oil. However, the premium varies in the different regions. Consumers from towns with a high incidence of aflatoxin contamination have a WTP of up to 357 TZS, while those from towns with a low incidence of aflatoxin contamination but high awareness have a WTP of up to 1043 TZS. Furthermore, the study finds that education, age, gender, and consumer awareness of aflatoxin contamination have a significant influence on the WTP for sunflower oil free of aflatoxin contamination. This study sheds light to stakeholders involved in the production, marketing, and monitoring of food safety and standards. For the public sector, to maximize consumer welfare, policies to ensure the delivery of safe and healthy food are important, while for the private sector, there is an opportunity to tap into the gap for supplying food with private food safety standards. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agri-Food Economics and Rural Sustainable Development)

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