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A Synthetic Indicator for Sustainability Standards of Water Resources in Agriculture

Author

Listed:
  • Carmelo Picone

    (CREA PB—Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Research Centre for Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, 00198 Rome, Italy)

  • Roberto Henke

    (CREA PB—Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Research Centre for Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, 00198 Rome, Italy)

  • Myriam Ruberto

    (CREA PB—Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Research Centre for Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, 00198 Rome, Italy)

  • Emilio Calligaris

    (CREA PB—Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Research Centre for Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, 00198 Rome, Italy)

  • Raffaella Zucaro

    (CREA PB—Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Research Centre for Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, 00198 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

The aim of this work is to evaluate the sustainability of water management for agriculture in a specific territory through the creation of a synthetic index resulting from the aggregation of multiple indices (environmental, economic, and social). The resulting synthetic index can be used to set sustainability standards and to guide the choices mandated by the Common Agricultural Policy 2023–2027. In this work we intend to show how the Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) method facilitates a complex process such as establishing a degree of sustainability in a certain area and, therefore, provides support to national or regional policies and communities. The integration of MCDA and GIS increases the efficiency of the support activity. A case study is presented evaluating the level of sustainability in the Irrigation and Reclamation Consortium of Piacenza and Emilia Centrale, in the Emilia Romagna region.

Suggested Citation

  • Carmelo Picone & Roberto Henke & Myriam Ruberto & Emilio Calligaris & Raffaella Zucaro, 2021. "A Synthetic Indicator for Sustainability Standards of Water Resources in Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:15:p:8221-:d:599827
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Roberto Henke & Cristina Vaquero-Piñeiro, 2023. "Measuring Agro-Biodiversity through Leverage Factors: Land Use, Farmer Practices and Public Policies," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Itzel Inti Maria Donati & Davide Viaggi & Zorica Srdjevic & Bojan Srdjevic & Antonella Di Fonzo & Teresa Del Giudice & Orlando Cimino & Andrea Martelli & Anna Dalla Marta & Roberto Henke & Filiberto A, 2023. "An Analysis of Preference Weights and Setting Priorities by Irrigation Advisory Services Users Based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-15, August.

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