A Participatory Analysis of the Control and Certification System in the Italian Organic Rice Value Chain

Giovanni Dara Guccione, Elena Pagliarino, Ilaria Borri, Alessandra Vaccaro and Patrizia Borsotto
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Giovanni Dara Guccione: CREA Research Centre for Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, 00198 Rome, Italy
Elena Pagliarino: CNR-IRCRES National Research Council, Research Institute on Sustainable Economic Growth, 10024 Moncalieri, Italy
Ilaria Borri: CREA Research Centre for Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, 00198 Rome, Italy
Alessandra Vaccaro: CREA Research Centre for Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, 00198 Rome, Italy
Patrizia Borsotto: CREA Research Centre for Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy, 00198 Rome, Italy

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-20

Abstract: Italy is the leading European rice producer. The transition to organic farming of rice farms could represent a solution for environmental protection, as well as for their economic sustainability, consumer safety, and as a measure of climate mitigation. However, there are currently several weaknesses in the control and certification system. The objective of the current study was to propose advice for improving the control and certification scheme in the organic rice sector. The goal was achieved by adopting a qualitative methodology based on participant observation at stakeholder meetings and community-led workshops, and information collected in focus groups and deep interviews with relevant local actors. The findings show that there are some solutions to mitigate the weakness of the Italian certification scheme. The study also contributes to improving the Italian organic rice sector by highlighting that a revision of procedures and sanctions alone is not enough, and that an ethical and cultural change is also needed along the whole value chain.

Keywords: qualitative research; regulations; ethical issues; sustainable production (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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