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The Role of Social Farming in the Socio-Economic Development of Highly Marginal Regions: An Investigation in Calabria

Author

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  • Dario Musolino

    (Centre for Research on Geography, Resources, Environment, Energy and Networks (GREEN), Bocconi University, Via Roentgen 1, 20136 Milan, Italy
    Department of Economics and Political Science, University of Aosta Valley, Street Cappuccini 2, 11100 Aosta, Italy)

  • Alba Distaso

    (Department of Agricultural Sciences, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Località Feo di Vito, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy)

  • Claudio Marcianò

    (Department of Agricultural Sciences, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Località Feo di Vito, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy)

Abstract

This paper focuses on social farming, a new “branch” which includes activities that make use of agricultural, rural and natural resources in order to produce food and social services. It investigates the case of Calabria, one of the least developed regions in Italy and in Europe, which suffers from several serious problems; for example, the low level of accessibility, and the presence of the Mafia organisations. We wondered whether in such a region social farming can make a significant contribution to its social and economic development. Using the data collected by means of a qualitative investigation of some of the most important Calabrian social farms, we studied their characteristics, their strategies, their social mission, and their role in the local socio-economic context. We found that most of them are successful, in both economic and social terms, and their role in the local community is positive. Moreover, they are making a valuable contribution to the cultural change required to overcome the predominance of the Mafia.

Suggested Citation

  • Dario Musolino & Alba Distaso & Claudio Marcianò, 2020. "The Role of Social Farming in the Socio-Economic Development of Highly Marginal Regions: An Investigation in Calabria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:13:p:5285-:d:378446
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    1. Osama Ahmed & Walid Sallam, 2020. "Assessing the Potential of Improving Livelihoods and Creating Sustainable Socio-Economic Circumstances for Rural Communities in Upper Egypt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-23, August.
    2. Federica Cisilino & Alessandro Monteleone, 2020. "Designing Rural Policies for Sustainable Innovations through a Participatory Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-17, November.
    3. Fazari, Erika & Musolino, Dario, 2022. "Social farming in high mountain regions: The case of the Aosta Valley in Italy," Economia agro-alimentare / Food Economy, Italian Society of Agri-food Economics/Società Italiana di Economia Agro-Alimentare (SIEA), vol. 24(3), December.
    4. Theodoros Skevas & Ioannis Skevas & Victor E. Cabrera, 2021. "Examining the Relationship between Social Inefficiency and Financial Performance. Evidence from Wisconsin Dairy Farms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-14, March.
    5. Erika Fazari & Dario Musolino, 2022. "Social farming in high mountain regions: The case of the Aosta Valley in Italy," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 24(3), pages 1-33.
    6. Francesco Basset, 2023. "The Evaluation of Social Farming through Social Return on Investment: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-14, February.

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