Revitalizing Marginal Areas of Basilicata (Southern Italy) with Saffron: A Strategy Approach Mixing Alternative Cultivation System and Land Suitability Analysis

Nunzia Cicco, Vincenzo Candido, Rosa Coluzzi, Vito Imbrenda (), Maria Lanfredi, Michele Larocca, Annarita Lorusso, Carla Benelli and Adriano Sofo
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Nunzia Cicco: Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis, National Research Council of Italy (IMAA-CNR), 85050 Tito Scalo, Italy
Vincenzo Candido: Department of European and Mediterranean Cultures (DICEM), University of Basilicata, Via Lanera 20, 75100 Matera, Italy
Rosa Coluzzi: Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis, National Research Council of Italy (IMAA-CNR), 85050 Tito Scalo, Italy
Vito Imbrenda: Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis, National Research Council of Italy (IMAA-CNR), 85050 Tito Scalo, Italy
Maria Lanfredi: Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis, National Research Council of Italy (IMAA-CNR), 85050 Tito Scalo, Italy
Michele Larocca: Department of Chemistry and Biology “Adolfo Zambelli”, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
Annarita Lorusso: Department of Health Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Carla Benelli: Institute for BioEconomy, National Research Council (IBE-CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
Adriano Sofo: Department of European and Mediterranean Cultures (DICEM), University of Basilicata, Via Lanera 20, 75100 Matera, Italy

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-23

Abstract: The abandonment of farmland in Europe is a significant issue due to its environmental, socio-economic, and landscape consequences. This tendency mainly impacts marginal and inner areas, located far from large urban districts, because of biophysical and/or socio-economic factors. Although European and national regulations try to turn the fragility of these territories into an opportunity for sustainable development, many of these areas, especially in southern Europe, continue to suffer socio-economic disparities. For this reason, it is necessary to consider regional and district-wide initiatives that can economically revitalize marginal areas while safeguarding their natural capital. Alternative cropping systems, capable of optimizing the quality of some food crops, can play an essential role in the economic development of populations living in marginal areas. These areas, represented by inland zones often abandoned due to the difficulty of applying mechanized agriculture, can represent an opportunity to rediscover sustainable and profitable practices. Among the high-value crops, saffron ( Crocus sativus L.), “red gold” and “king of spices”, stands out for its potential. Indeed, thanks to the use of tuff tubs, a more eco-sustainable choice compared to the plastic pots already mentioned in the literature, it is possible to improve the quality of this spice. Furthermore, Crocus sativus L. not only lends itself to multiple uses but also represents a valid opportunity to supplement agricultural income. This is made possible by its high profitability and beneficial properties for human health, offering a way to diversify agricultural production with positive economic and social impacts. It is known that the saffron market in Italy suffers from competition from developing countries (Iran, Morocco, India) capable of producing saffron at lower costs than European countries, thanks to the lower cost of labor. Therefore, this study seeks to identify marginal areas that can be recovered and valorized through an eco-sustainable cultivation system with the potential to enhance the quality of this spice, making it unique and resilient to competition. Specifically, this paper is organized on a dual scale of investigation: (a) at the local level to demonstrate the economic-ecological feasibility of saffron cultivation through the adoption of an alternative farming technique on an experimental site located in Tricarico (Basilicata—Southern Italy, 40°37′ N, 16°09′ E; 472 m. a.s.l.) that, although fertile, is not suitable for mechanized cropping systems; (b) at the regional level through a spatially explicit land suitability analysis to indicate the possible location where to export saffron cultivation. The final map, obtained by combining geo-environmental variables, can be considered a precious tool to support policymakers and farmers to foster a broad agricultural strategy founded on new crop management systems. The adoption of this alternative agroecological system could optimize the use of land resources in the perspective of increasing crop productivity and profitability in marginal agricultural areas.

Keywords: inner areas; saffron; land abandonment; land suitability; economic revitalization; cropping systems; Mediterranean areas (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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