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Economic and Social Sustainability through Organic Agriculture: Study of the Restructuring of the Citrus Sector in the “ Bajo Andarax ” District (Spain)

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  • Juan Torres

    (Research Centre CIAIMBITAL, University of Almería, Ctra. De Sacramento s/n, E04120 Almería, Spain
    Cítricos del Andarax SAT, Paraje Llano Ron s/n, E04560 Gádor, Spain)

  • Diego L. Valera

    (Research Centre CIAIMBITAL, University of Almería, Ctra. De Sacramento s/n, E04120 Almería, Spain)

  • Luis J. Belmonte

    (Research Centre CIAIMBITAL, University of Almería, Ctra. De Sacramento s/n, E04120 Almería, Spain)

  • Carlos Herrero-Sánchez

    (Research Centre CIAIMBITAL, University of Almería, Ctra. De Sacramento s/n, E04120 Almería, Spain)

Abstract

Over 1000 hectares of citrus fruits crops are grown in the Bajo Andarax district in Almeria (Spain). The withdrawal of EU subsidies for conventional production led to a drastic loss of economic profitability of the holdings and, consequently, the abandonment of most of the conventionally managed farms of the district. In this context, a restructuring of the citrus sector from conventional to organic farming was implemented as a strategic measure to achieve the long-term sustainable development of the holdings. This study examines the citrus sector of the district and performs a comprehensive evaluation of the economic sustainability of this shift from conventional to organic production. In addition, the impact of the restructuring of the sector on the social sustainability both at the farm level and at the municipality level is studied. The results of the study are of interest to other agricultural areas of compromised profitability in which a shift towards organic production can represent a viable alternative for the economic and social sustainability of the holdings.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Torres & Diego L. Valera & Luis J. Belmonte & Carlos Herrero-Sánchez, 2016. "Economic and Social Sustainability through Organic Agriculture: Study of the Restructuring of the Citrus Sector in the “ Bajo Andarax ” District (Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:9:p:918-:d:77979
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Seid Hussen Muhie, 2023. "Concepts, Principles, and Application of Biodynamic Farming: a Review," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 291-304, March.
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    8. Francesco Sottile & Stefano Massaglia & Cristiana Peano, 2020. "Ecological and Economic Indicators for the Evaluation of Almond ( Prunus dulcis L.) Orchard Renewal in Sicily," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-14, July.
    9. Cei, Leonardo & Stefani, Gianluca & Defrancesco, Edi, 2020. "The role of group-time treatment effect heterogeneity in long standing European agricultural policies. An application to the European geographical indication policy," Bio-based and Applied Economics Journal, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA), vol. 9(1), April.
    10. Karol Kociszewski & Andrzej Graczyk & Krystyna Mazurek-Łopacinska & Magdalena Sobocińska, 2020. "Social Values in Stimulating Organic Production Involvement in Farming—The Case of Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-21, July.
    11. Qifan Hu & Bing Xu, 2019. "Differential Game Analysis of Optimal Strategies and Cooperation in Omni-Channel Organic Agricultural Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-34, February.
    12. Karthikeyan Mariappan & Deyi Zhou, 2019. "A Threat of Farmers’ Suicide and the Opportunity in Organic Farming for Sustainable Agricultural Development in India," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-17, April.
    13. Samir Mili & Javier Martínez-Vega, 2019. "Accounting for Regional Heterogeneity of Agricultural Sustainability in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-20, January.
    14. De Leijster, V. & Verburg, R.W. & Santos, M.J. & Wassen, M.J. & Martínez-Mena, M. & de Vente, J. & Verweij, P.A., 2020. "Almond farm profitability under agroecological management in south-eastern Spain: Accounting for externalities and opportunity costs," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).

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