IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jagris/v14y2024i12p2347-d1548932.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Living Lab for the Diffusion of Enabling Technologies in Agriculture: The Case of Sicily in the Mediterranean Context

Author

Listed:
  • Giuseppe Timpanaro

    (Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Vera Teresa Foti

    (Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Giulio Cascone

    (Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Manuela Trovato

    (Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Alessandro Grasso

    (Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Gabriella Vindigni

    (Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy)

Abstract

Enabling technologies (KETs) offer transformative potential for agriculture by addressing major challenges such as climate change, resource efficiency, and sustainable development across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. However, KET adoption is often limited by high R&D requirements, rapid innovation cycles, investment costs, and cultural or training barriers, especially among small agricultural businesses. Sicily’s agricultural sector, already strained by pandemic-related economic setbacks and inflationary pressures, faces additional barriers in adopting these technologies. To investigate these adoption challenges and develop viable solutions, the ARIA Living Lab (Agritech Research Innovation Environment) was established within the PNRR framework. A qualitative approach was used, involving documentary analysis and data from stakeholders across Sicilian agriculture. This approach enabled an in-depth exploration of sector-specific needs, infrastructure, and socio-economic factors influencing KET adoption. The analysis highlighted that adoption barriers differ significantly across sectors (citrus, olive, and wine), with public incentives and digital infrastructure playing key roles. However, a persistent lack of technical skills among farmers reduces the effectiveness of these innovations. The findings suggest that an integrated approach—combining targeted incentives, training, and enhanced infrastructure—is essential for a sustainable transition to KETs. Future research should examine collaborative efforts between farms and tech providers and evaluate the impact of public policies in promoting the widespread, informed adoption of enabling technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuseppe Timpanaro & Vera Teresa Foti & Giulio Cascone & Manuela Trovato & Alessandro Grasso & Gabriella Vindigni, 2024. "Living Lab for the Diffusion of Enabling Technologies in Agriculture: The Case of Sicily in the Mediterranean Context," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-22, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:12:p:2347-:d:1548932
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/12/2347/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/12/2347/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Feston Ken Shani & Mirriam Joshua & Cosmo Ngongondo, 2024. "Determinants of Smallholder Farmers’ Adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices in Zomba, Eastern Malawi," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-17, April.
    2. Kirti Nayal & Rakesh D. Raut & Balkrishna E. Narkhede & Pragati Priyadarshinee & Gajanan B. Panchal & Vidyadhar V. Gedam, 2023. "Antecedents for blockchain technology-enabled sustainable agriculture supply chain," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 327(1), pages 293-337, August.
    3. Anna Zielińska-Chmielewska & Dobrosława Mruk-Tomczak & Anna Wielicka-Regulska, 2021. "Qualitative Research on Solving Difficulties in Maintaining Continuity of Food Supply Chain on the Meat Market during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-19, September.
    4. Alison Blay-Palmer & Roberta Sonnino & Julien Custot, 2016. "A food politics of the possible? Growing sustainable food systems through networks of knowledge," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 33(1), pages 27-43, March.
    5. Dudin, Mikhail & Nikolaj Vasil'evich Lyasnikov & Valentina Nikolaevna Sidorenko & Lidija Sergeevna Leont'va & Konstantin Jur'evich Reshetov, 2015. "Business Model Canvas as a basis for competitive advantage of enterprise structures in agroindustrial sphere," Published Papers d151, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.
    6. Salem Ahmed Alabdali & Salvatore Flavio Pileggi & Dilek Cetindamar, 2023. "Influential Factors, Enablers, and Barriers to Adopting Smart Technology in Rural Regions: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-38, May.
    7. Dudin, Mikhail & Nikolaj Vasil'evich Lyasnikov & Valentina Nikolaevna Sidorenko & Lidija Sergeevna Leont'va & Konstantin Jur'evich Reshetov, 2015. "Business Model Canvas as a basis for competitive advantage of enterprise structures in agroindustrial sphere (english version)," Published Papers d151e, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.
    8. Xinhui Peng & Xiaohuan Yan & Hongmei Wang, 2024. "Study on the Effect of Digital Technology Adoption and Farmers’ Cognition on Fertilizer Reduction and Efficiency Improvement Behavior," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-16, June.
    9. Astorga-Rojas, Diego, 2024. "Access to Markets and Technology Adoption in the Agricultural Sector: Evidence from Brazil," EconStor Preprints 289868, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    10. David Christian Rose & Anna Barkemeyer & Auvikki Boon & Catherine Price & Dannielle Roche, 2023. "The old, the new, or the old made new? Everyday counter-narratives of the so-called fourth agricultural revolution," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 40(2), pages 423-439, June.
    11. Roberto Fragomeli & Azzurra Annunziata & Gennaro Punzo, 2024. "Promoting the Transition towards Agriculture 4.0: A Systematic Literature Review on Drivers and Barriers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-29, March.
    12. Azzurra Giorgio & Laura Priscila Penate Lopez & Danilo Bertoni & Daniele Cavicchioli & Giovanni Ferrazzi, 2024. "Enablers to Digitalization in Agriculture: A Case Study from Italian Field Crop Farms in the Po River Valley, with Insights for Policy Targeting," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-21, July.
    13. Alessandra Santini & Antonella Di Fonzo & Elisa Giampietri & Andrea Martelli & Orlando Cimino & Anna Dalla Marta & Maria Carmela Annosi & Francisco José Blanco-Velázquez & Teresa Del Giudice & Filiber, 2023. "A Step toward Water Use Sustainability: Implementing a Business Model Canvas for Irrigation Advisory Services," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-13, May.
    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. Simona Alfiero & Laura Broccardo & Massimo Cane, 2023. "Sustainable Business Model and the Firm Age Variable Impact: Evidence from wine industry," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2023(3), pages 165-191.
    2. Daniele Sarri & Stefania Lombardo & Andrea Pagliai & Carolina Perna & Riccardo Lisci & Valentina De Pascale & Marco Rimediotti & Guido Cencini & Marco Vieri, 2020. "Smart Farming Introduction in Wine Farms: A Systematic Review and a New Proposal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-26, September.
    3. Qorri Aina* & Wardah Naili Ulfah & Sri Herliana & Sri Hartati, 2018. "Model of Value Proposition: Customer Interview and Development Process for Startup Business Product," The Journal of Social Sciences Research, Academic Research Publishing Group, pages 320-326:2.
    4. Mihail Nikolaevich Dudin & Konstantin Yurievich Reshetov & Victor Ivanovich Mysachenko & Natalia Nikolaevna Mironova & Olga Vladimirovna Divnenko, 2017. "Green Technology and Renewable Energy in the System of the Steel Industry in Europe," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 7(2), pages 310-315.
    5. Sara A. L. Smaal & Joost Dessein & Barend J. Wind & Elke Rogge, 2021. "Social justice-oriented narratives in European urban food strategies: Bringing forward redistribution, recognition and representation," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 38(3), pages 709-727, September.
    6. Norbert Bajkó & Zsolt Fülöp & Kinga Nagyné Pércsi, 2022. "Changes in the Innovation- and Marketing-Habits of Family SMEs in the Foodstuffs Industry, Caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic in Hungary," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-17, March.
    7. Coline Perrin & Adrien Baysse-Lainé, 2020. "Governing the coexistence of agricultural models: French cities allocating farmlands to support agroecology and short food chains on urban fringes," Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies, Springer, vol. 101(2), pages 261-286, December.
    8. Ana Moragues-Faus & Roberta Sonnino, 2019. "Re-assembling sustainable food cities: An exploration of translocal governance and its multiple agencies," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 56(4), pages 778-794, March.
    9. Adanella Rossi, 2017. "Beyond Food Provisioning: The Transformative Potential of Grassroots Innovation around Food," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-21, January.
    10. John J. Hyland & Áine Macken-Walsh, 2022. "Multi-Actor Social Networks: A Social Practice Approach to Understanding Food Hubs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-19, February.
    11. Winkel, Thierry & Núñez-Carrasco, Lizbeth & Cruz, Pablo José & Egan, Nancy & Sáez-Tonacca, Luís & Cubillos-Celis, Priscilla & Poblete-Olivera, Camila & Zavalla-Nanco, Natalia & Miño-Baes, Bárbara & Vi, 2019. "Mobilizing common biocultural heritage for the socioeconomic inclusion of small farmers: panarchy of two case studies on quinoa in Chile and Bolivia," SocArXiv qwtu5, Center for Open Science.
    12. Julius Adewopo & Mariette McCampbell & Charles Mwizerwa & Marc Schut, 2025. "Beyond the Hype: Ten Lessons from Co-Creating and Implementing Digital Innovation in a Rwandan Smallholder Banana Farming System," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-20, January.
    13. Claudio Vitari & Erin Whittingham, 2018. "Tackling Conventional Agriculture: The Institutionalization of Community Supported Agriculture's (CSA) Principles," Post-Print halshs-01923789, HAL.
    14. Barituka Bekee & Michelle S. Segovia & Corinne Valdivia, 2024. "Adoption of smart farm networks: a translational process to inform digital agricultural technologies," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 41(4), pages 1573-1590, December.
    15. Gábor Gyarmati, 2024. "Transformation of the Three Pillars of Agri-Food Sustainability around the COVID-19 Crisis—A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-31, June.
    16. Müller, Anna & Steinke, Jonathan & Dorado, Hugo & Keller, Salome & Jiménez, Daniel & Ortiz-Crespo, Berta & Schumann, Charlotte, 2024. "Challenges and opportunities for human-centered design in CGIAR," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).
    17. Claire Haven-Tang & Andrew Thomas & Ron Fisher, 2022. "To What Extent Does the Food Tourism ‘Label’ Enhance Local Food Supply Chains? Experiences from Southeast Wales," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-8, February.
    18. Sandrine Simon, 2023. "The ‘Covid-Trigger’: New Light on Urban Agriculture and Systemic Approach to Urbanism to Co-Create a Sustainable Lisbon," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 36(1), pages 87-109, February.
    19. Mat Jones & Sarah Hills, 2021. "Scaling up Action on Urban Sustainable Food Systems in the United Kingdom: Agenda Setting, Networking, and Influence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-12, February.
    20. Angga Dwiartama & Matthew Kelly & Jane Dixon, 2023. "Linking food security, food sovereignty and foodways in urban Southeast Asia: cases from Indonesia and Thailand," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 15(2), pages 505-517, April.

    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:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:12:p:2347-:d:1548932. 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.