An increasing share of farmer revenues derives from on-farm nonagricultural activities. This pape... more An increasing share of farmer revenues derives from on-farm nonagricultural activities. This paper investigates the determinants in the choice to diversify by simulating farmers’ behaviours dividing the diversification decision into two steps: deciding the intensity of diversification. This two-step process is estimated by applying the Heckman sample selection model. The results confirm the relevance of on-farm diversification for risk exposure reduction for vulnerable farms. The worst external conditions exhibited no effect on the likelihood to diversify. However, farms located in marginal areas were more dependent for their livelihood on on-farm nonagricultural production. Moreover, closeness to urban areas reduces the probability of diversifying but had no effect on intensification.
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) provides bases for comprehensive understanding of Services p... more Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) provides bases for comprehensive understanding of Services provided by ecosystems, linking ecosystems and human well-being. As rural landscape is considered provider of multifunction services and is affected by a wide range of land uses several ecosystems are involved in developing an operative definition of landscape. Thus a common and comprehensive definition of landscape function, services provides, benefits and value are not enough developed. In fact, the concept of landscape function or services has been used as synonymous to ecosystem services Literature has highlighted that alternative land uses/rural area managements affect the ecosystem services provision, due to the trade-off, synergies and disservices in the provision of these services. The paper aims at exploring the linkages between ecosystem services and regarding rural landscape. To support this comprehensive assessment of the linkages between ecosystem services and landscape an em...
Agri-Environmental Schemes (AESs) represent one of the main agricultural policy instruments which... more Agri-Environmental Schemes (AESs) represent one of the main agricultural policy instruments which address environmental objectives in Common Agricultural Policy. In spite of twenty years of application and its high share of RDP budget, several evaluation reports and scientific literature have assessed low environmental impacts compared with expectations. Economic literature has identified in low target level of schemes, low participation rates, spatial heterogeneity and asymmetric information between farmers and public administration the main reasons for low impact. The objective of the paper is to provide a comprehensive analysis of determinants of agri-environmental schemes adoption. The objective is pursued combining results of farm level adoption analysis with spatial analysis of the participation rate. Results show that both micro and meso-characteristics strongly affect participation to AESs. In fact, farm and household structure, quality of advice services and territory endog...
This paper aims at investigating the factors affecting relative changes in the average farm size ... more This paper aims at investigating the factors affecting relative changes in the average farm size over the period 2000-2010. The objective has been pursued applying an empirical investigation in Tuscany region through observation aggregated at municipality level. By applying spatial analysis and spatial econometric techniques, spatial distribution and determinants of different farm size are detected. Results showing the relevance of spatial analysis, pointed out that farm household and territorial characteristics, such as the productivity, single farm payments and being located at plain altitude, positively affect the average farm size since these agricultural holdings are eased to pursue economies of scale.
Support for organic farming is a key strategy of rural development policies in several countries.... more Support for organic farming is a key strategy of rural development policies in several countries. This paper studied the spatial pattern of participation in agro-environmnetal policy the policies designing to foster diffusion of organic farming. The ultimate goal is to investigate the impact of local factors for improving the policy targeting. Indicators of spatial association and a spatial econometrics model were performed for the analysis. The results show regional agglomeration effects of the rate of participants to the measures adopted to promote organic farming. In addition, a spatial relation among the farms that obtain public support is found, highlighting that the diffusion of participation is driven mainly by imitation process and external economies of scale.
This paper investigates on-farm income diversification determinants, using data from the Italian ... more This paper investigates on-farm income diversification determinants, using data from the Italian 2010 census. The determinants are investigated by simulating farmers’ behaviors as a two-step process through the application of the Heckman sample selection model. Model results are quite consistent with previous literature findings and confirm the relevance of risk exposure reduction as on-farm diversification strategy determinants. Results stress also that, besides farm characteristics and structures, spatial location and distances play a prominentrole in explaining the diversification process. Our results seem contrary to the demand-driven effects of diversification but stress that diversification could be considered a broader process driven by territorial potentiality and quality.
The CAP reform process has been a central issue for agricultural economics research in recent yea... more The CAP reform process has been a central issue for agricultural economics research in recent years, and is gaining further attention in view of the post-2013 perspectives. The objective of this paper is to assess ex-ante the effect of different post-2013 CAP and market scenarios on the demand of productions factors. The paper is based on the use of farm household dynamic programming models maximising the net present value with a time horizon until 2030. A representative model has been implemented for 18 different farming systems in 8 EU countries. Changes in marginal values of selected resource constraints (land, labour and capital) are used to assess the potential effect of different scenarios on farm-household demand of production factors. Results highlight that both policy and market conditions change strongly the demand of productive factors.
The agricultural sectors’ contribution to the provision of energy is a central issue
in Horizon 2... more The agricultural sectors’ contribution to the provision of energy is a central issue in Horizon 2020 strategies and has shaped the public and research debates on the future of the bioeconomy. The common agricultural policy (CAP) has been one of the main drivers of farmers’ behavioural changes and represents the main agricultural policy instrument to address viability of rural areas and maintaining the profitability of the agricultural sector. To contribute to the ongoing policy debate towards CAP reform, this paper will provide an empirical model to simulate the impact of an alternative CAP mechanism on the provision of renewable energy. By applying a dynamic mathematical programming model, the paper tests the impact that new policy measures will have on the provision of a second-generation of bio fuel crops that represent a relevant option for Tuscan farmers. Results show that CAP reform positively impacts the supply of energy crops mainly due to the introduction of greening payments, which allows an enlarging of crop diversification. Model results stress also the income stabilisation effects of energy production introduction at farm level, due to reduction of farm exposure to market prices fluctuations.
Structural change provides the possibility of increasing the competitiveness and efficiency of th... more Structural change provides the possibility of increasing the competitiveness and efficiency of the entire agricultural sector through a better allocation of productive factors. Amongst the productive factors, land is the one that most often limits farm development. This paper seeks to identify determinants of intended changes in farm size represented by farmed area and measured as a reduction, expansion or no change) identified as stated intentions expressed through survey information, under two different Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) scenarios: (1) the Baseline, characterised by the Health Check policy as of 2009; and (2) a No-CAP scenario, assuming the elimination of all CAP payments and regulatory measures. Results highlight that CAP abolishment strongly reduces the intention to increase the amount of farmed area; the determinants of change in farmed area also change sharply amongst the two scenarios. Geographic variables, and farm characteristics such as farm organisation and the number of on-farm employees are elevant to explain the farmed area expansion. On the contrary, without the CAP, the relation between household and farm has strong effects on the different directions of change of farmed area. The results confirm that the different single payments scheme models affect the changes in demand of land.
Innovation and new technology adoption represent two central elements for
the business and indus... more Innovation and new technology adoption represent two central elements for
the business and industry development process in agriculture. One of the most relevant
innovations in dairy farms is the robotisation of the milking process through
the adoption of Automatic Milking Systems (AMS).
The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of selected Common Agricultural
Policy measures on the adoption of AMS in dairy farms. The model developed is a
dynamic farm-household model that is able to simulate the adoption of AMS taking
into account the allocation of productive factors between on-farm and off-farm activities.
The model simulates the decision to replace a traditional milking system with AMS using a Real Options approach that allows farmers to choose the optimal timing of investments.
Results show that the adoption of AMS, and the timing of such a decision, is strongly affected by policy uncertainty and market conditions. The effect of this uncertainty is to postpone the decision to adopt the new technology until farmers have gathered enough information to reduce the negative effects of the technological lock-in. AMS adoption results in an increase in farm size and herd size due to the reduction in the
labour required for milking operation
An increasing share of farmer revenues derives from on-farm nonagricultural activities. This pape... more An increasing share of farmer revenues derives from on-farm nonagricultural activities. This paper investigates the determinants in the choice to diversify by simulating farmers’ behaviours dividing the diversification decision into two steps: deciding the intensity of diversification. This two-step process is estimated by applying the Heckman sample selection model. The results confirm the relevance of on-farm diversification for risk exposure reduction for vulnerable farms. The worst external conditions exhibited no effect on the likelihood to diversify. However, farms located in marginal areas were more dependent for their livelihood on on-farm nonagricultural production. Moreover, closeness to urban areas reduces the probability of diversifying but had no effect on intensification.
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) provides bases for comprehensive understanding of Services p... more Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) provides bases for comprehensive understanding of Services provided by ecosystems, linking ecosystems and human well-being. As rural landscape is considered provider of multifunction services and is affected by a wide range of land uses several ecosystems are involved in developing an operative definition of landscape. Thus a common and comprehensive definition of landscape function, services provides, benefits and value are not enough developed. In fact, the concept of landscape function or services has been used as synonymous to ecosystem services Literature has highlighted that alternative land uses/rural area managements affect the ecosystem services provision, due to the trade-off, synergies and disservices in the provision of these services. The paper aims at exploring the linkages between ecosystem services and regarding rural landscape. To support this comprehensive assessment of the linkages between ecosystem services and landscape an em...
Agri-Environmental Schemes (AESs) represent one of the main agricultural policy instruments which... more Agri-Environmental Schemes (AESs) represent one of the main agricultural policy instruments which address environmental objectives in Common Agricultural Policy. In spite of twenty years of application and its high share of RDP budget, several evaluation reports and scientific literature have assessed low environmental impacts compared with expectations. Economic literature has identified in low target level of schemes, low participation rates, spatial heterogeneity and asymmetric information between farmers and public administration the main reasons for low impact. The objective of the paper is to provide a comprehensive analysis of determinants of agri-environmental schemes adoption. The objective is pursued combining results of farm level adoption analysis with spatial analysis of the participation rate. Results show that both micro and meso-characteristics strongly affect participation to AESs. In fact, farm and household structure, quality of advice services and territory endog...
This paper aims at investigating the factors affecting relative changes in the average farm size ... more This paper aims at investigating the factors affecting relative changes in the average farm size over the period 2000-2010. The objective has been pursued applying an empirical investigation in Tuscany region through observation aggregated at municipality level. By applying spatial analysis and spatial econometric techniques, spatial distribution and determinants of different farm size are detected. Results showing the relevance of spatial analysis, pointed out that farm household and territorial characteristics, such as the productivity, single farm payments and being located at plain altitude, positively affect the average farm size since these agricultural holdings are eased to pursue economies of scale.
Support for organic farming is a key strategy of rural development policies in several countries.... more Support for organic farming is a key strategy of rural development policies in several countries. This paper studied the spatial pattern of participation in agro-environmnetal policy the policies designing to foster diffusion of organic farming. The ultimate goal is to investigate the impact of local factors for improving the policy targeting. Indicators of spatial association and a spatial econometrics model were performed for the analysis. The results show regional agglomeration effects of the rate of participants to the measures adopted to promote organic farming. In addition, a spatial relation among the farms that obtain public support is found, highlighting that the diffusion of participation is driven mainly by imitation process and external economies of scale.
This paper investigates on-farm income diversification determinants, using data from the Italian ... more This paper investigates on-farm income diversification determinants, using data from the Italian 2010 census. The determinants are investigated by simulating farmers’ behaviors as a two-step process through the application of the Heckman sample selection model. Model results are quite consistent with previous literature findings and confirm the relevance of risk exposure reduction as on-farm diversification strategy determinants. Results stress also that, besides farm characteristics and structures, spatial location and distances play a prominentrole in explaining the diversification process. Our results seem contrary to the demand-driven effects of diversification but stress that diversification could be considered a broader process driven by territorial potentiality and quality.
The CAP reform process has been a central issue for agricultural economics research in recent yea... more The CAP reform process has been a central issue for agricultural economics research in recent years, and is gaining further attention in view of the post-2013 perspectives. The objective of this paper is to assess ex-ante the effect of different post-2013 CAP and market scenarios on the demand of productions factors. The paper is based on the use of farm household dynamic programming models maximising the net present value with a time horizon until 2030. A representative model has been implemented for 18 different farming systems in 8 EU countries. Changes in marginal values of selected resource constraints (land, labour and capital) are used to assess the potential effect of different scenarios on farm-household demand of production factors. Results highlight that both policy and market conditions change strongly the demand of productive factors.
The agricultural sectors’ contribution to the provision of energy is a central issue
in Horizon 2... more The agricultural sectors’ contribution to the provision of energy is a central issue in Horizon 2020 strategies and has shaped the public and research debates on the future of the bioeconomy. The common agricultural policy (CAP) has been one of the main drivers of farmers’ behavioural changes and represents the main agricultural policy instrument to address viability of rural areas and maintaining the profitability of the agricultural sector. To contribute to the ongoing policy debate towards CAP reform, this paper will provide an empirical model to simulate the impact of an alternative CAP mechanism on the provision of renewable energy. By applying a dynamic mathematical programming model, the paper tests the impact that new policy measures will have on the provision of a second-generation of bio fuel crops that represent a relevant option for Tuscan farmers. Results show that CAP reform positively impacts the supply of energy crops mainly due to the introduction of greening payments, which allows an enlarging of crop diversification. Model results stress also the income stabilisation effects of energy production introduction at farm level, due to reduction of farm exposure to market prices fluctuations.
Structural change provides the possibility of increasing the competitiveness and efficiency of th... more Structural change provides the possibility of increasing the competitiveness and efficiency of the entire agricultural sector through a better allocation of productive factors. Amongst the productive factors, land is the one that most often limits farm development. This paper seeks to identify determinants of intended changes in farm size represented by farmed area and measured as a reduction, expansion or no change) identified as stated intentions expressed through survey information, under two different Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) scenarios: (1) the Baseline, characterised by the Health Check policy as of 2009; and (2) a No-CAP scenario, assuming the elimination of all CAP payments and regulatory measures. Results highlight that CAP abolishment strongly reduces the intention to increase the amount of farmed area; the determinants of change in farmed area also change sharply amongst the two scenarios. Geographic variables, and farm characteristics such as farm organisation and the number of on-farm employees are elevant to explain the farmed area expansion. On the contrary, without the CAP, the relation between household and farm has strong effects on the different directions of change of farmed area. The results confirm that the different single payments scheme models affect the changes in demand of land.
Innovation and new technology adoption represent two central elements for
the business and indus... more Innovation and new technology adoption represent two central elements for
the business and industry development process in agriculture. One of the most relevant
innovations in dairy farms is the robotisation of the milking process through
the adoption of Automatic Milking Systems (AMS).
The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of selected Common Agricultural
Policy measures on the adoption of AMS in dairy farms. The model developed is a
dynamic farm-household model that is able to simulate the adoption of AMS taking
into account the allocation of productive factors between on-farm and off-farm activities.
The model simulates the decision to replace a traditional milking system with AMS using a Real Options approach that allows farmers to choose the optimal timing of investments.
Results show that the adoption of AMS, and the timing of such a decision, is strongly affected by policy uncertainty and market conditions. The effect of this uncertainty is to postpone the decision to adopt the new technology until farmers have gathered enough information to reduce the negative effects of the technological lock-in. AMS adoption results in an increase in farm size and herd size due to the reduction in the
labour required for milking operation
Uploads
Papers by Fabio Bartolini
in Horizon 2020 strategies and has shaped the public and research debates on the future of
the bioeconomy. The common agricultural policy (CAP) has been one of the main drivers of
farmers’ behavioural changes and represents the main agricultural policy instrument to
address viability of rural areas and maintaining the profitability of the agricultural sector.
To contribute to the ongoing policy debate towards CAP reform, this paper will provide an
empirical model to simulate the impact of an alternative CAP mechanism on the provision
of renewable energy. By applying a dynamic mathematical programming model, the paper
tests the impact that new policy measures will have on the provision of a second-generation
of bio fuel crops that represent a relevant option for Tuscan farmers. Results show that CAP
reform positively impacts the supply of energy crops mainly due to the introduction of
greening payments, which allows an enlarging of crop diversification. Model results stress
also the income stabilisation effects of energy production introduction at farm level, due to
reduction of farm exposure to market prices fluctuations.
the business and industry development process in agriculture. One of the most relevant
innovations in dairy farms is the robotisation of the milking process through
the adoption of Automatic Milking Systems (AMS).
The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of selected Common Agricultural
Policy measures on the adoption of AMS in dairy farms. The model developed is a
dynamic farm-household model that is able to simulate the adoption of AMS taking
into account the allocation of productive factors between on-farm and off-farm activities.
The model simulates the decision to replace a traditional milking system with AMS using a Real Options approach that allows farmers to choose the optimal timing of investments.
Results show that the adoption of AMS, and the timing of such a decision, is strongly affected by policy uncertainty and market conditions. The effect of this uncertainty is to postpone the decision to adopt the new technology until farmers have gathered enough information to reduce the negative effects of the technological lock-in. AMS adoption results in an increase in farm size and herd size due to the reduction in the
labour required for milking operation
in Horizon 2020 strategies and has shaped the public and research debates on the future of
the bioeconomy. The common agricultural policy (CAP) has been one of the main drivers of
farmers’ behavioural changes and represents the main agricultural policy instrument to
address viability of rural areas and maintaining the profitability of the agricultural sector.
To contribute to the ongoing policy debate towards CAP reform, this paper will provide an
empirical model to simulate the impact of an alternative CAP mechanism on the provision
of renewable energy. By applying a dynamic mathematical programming model, the paper
tests the impact that new policy measures will have on the provision of a second-generation
of bio fuel crops that represent a relevant option for Tuscan farmers. Results show that CAP
reform positively impacts the supply of energy crops mainly due to the introduction of
greening payments, which allows an enlarging of crop diversification. Model results stress
also the income stabilisation effects of energy production introduction at farm level, due to
reduction of farm exposure to market prices fluctuations.
the business and industry development process in agriculture. One of the most relevant
innovations in dairy farms is the robotisation of the milking process through
the adoption of Automatic Milking Systems (AMS).
The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of selected Common Agricultural
Policy measures on the adoption of AMS in dairy farms. The model developed is a
dynamic farm-household model that is able to simulate the adoption of AMS taking
into account the allocation of productive factors between on-farm and off-farm activities.
The model simulates the decision to replace a traditional milking system with AMS using a Real Options approach that allows farmers to choose the optimal timing of investments.
Results show that the adoption of AMS, and the timing of such a decision, is strongly affected by policy uncertainty and market conditions. The effect of this uncertainty is to postpone the decision to adopt the new technology until farmers have gathered enough information to reduce the negative effects of the technological lock-in. AMS adoption results in an increase in farm size and herd size due to the reduction in the
labour required for milking operation