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

Agata Nicolosi,Donatella Di Gregorio,Valentina Rosa Laganà,Donatella Privitera

doi:10.3390/su13020989

Agata Nicolosi, Donatella Di Gregorio + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020989

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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.

Highlights

Introduction and Theoretical FrameworkOver the years, the dynamics of the agricultural sector have increasingly been oriented towards multifunctionality to create income and employment opportunities for rural populations, to the diffusion of new ideas and practices in rural areas, as well as the discovery of the social value of local resources and developing and increasing social capital and networks of relationships within a given community
The interviewed companies diversified their activities over time by combining agricultural activity with one or more of those previously identified as social farming activities, and, in particular, those that best meet their structural and organizational needs
The results of the empirical research indicated in Calabria there are interesting experiences of social farming that present moderate dynamism and innovative aspects, as they are focused on an agriculture model capable of producing income and eco-systemic services

Summary

Introduction

Introduction and Theoretical FrameworkOver the years, the dynamics of the agricultural sector have increasingly been oriented towards multifunctionality to create income and employment opportunities for rural populations, to the diffusion of new ideas and practices in rural areas, as well as the discovery of the social value of local resources and developing and increasing social capital and networks of relationships within a given community. Promote social inclusion [1]. These are concepts that fit well into the virtuous model of a circular economy, a model that aims at decoupling economic growth and development from that of resource consumption. With a view toward circularity, all activities, starting from the extractive ones to the productive ones, must be reorganized so that someone’s waste becomes a resource for someone else. It is a completely different way of thinking and acting, which requires planning and expertise [2]

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