Ecological and Economic Indicators for the Evaluation of Almond ( Prunus dulcis L.) Orchard Renewal in Sicily

Francesco Sottile, Stefano Massaglia and Cristiana Peano
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Francesco Sottile: Department of Architecture (DARCH), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 14, 90145 Palermo, Italy
Stefano Massaglia: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095 Torino, Italy
Cristiana Peano: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095 Torino, Italy

Agriculture, 2020, vol. 10, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: Globally, almond production is experiencing a growing trend thanks to a strong interest in the health, gastronomic, and industrial properties that are linked to the fruits and their derivatives. After a constant and marked decline in the second half of the last century, the Mediterranean Basin is thoroughly reassessing this crop, which provides significant results with a modern orchard management. The opportunity determined by the transition from traditional to modern systems have increased the interest in evaluating the different environmental impacts of the two cultivation models that still coexist today. In this work, through the application of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and an economic assessment approach with an in-depth analysis related to the cultivation cycle and the use of resources, the role played by each factor involved in production was determined. Overall, the Greenhouses Gases (GHG) emissions in modern farms are higher (Global Warming Potential (GWP) 0.224 kg CO 2 eq.) than those in traditional farms (GWP 0.182 kg CO 2 eq.). Regarding the economic assessment, it appears relevant that the modern almond model in the full production phase guarantees significantly higher margins (+84%).The perception of the importance attributed to evaluating economic and environmental aspects by different stakeholders shows relevant differences in the approach coming from growers, dealers, and governmental institutions allows the investigators to positively underline the current innovation in almond orchard systems considering the balance between fruit production and the conservation of environmental resources.

Keywords: almond; innovation; Life Cycle Assessment (LCA); economic assessment; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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