An analysis of the main characteristics of the different agricultural systems in Mediterranean European Union regions is very important for the implementation (ex-ante) and the evaluation (ex-post) of the actions of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The purpose of this paper is to identify, with the application of a multivariate statistical analysis (Factor Analysis and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis), the “similarities” and the “dissimilarities” between 82 Mediterranean European regions. The analysis for this study was carried out by taking into account a specific set of 51 indicators: 11 environmental indicators and 40 socio-economic and structural indicators. A more accurate classification of Mediterranean regions in “homogeneous” territorial agricultural systems is essential to improve the comparability of regions for the development programs of the CAP. Above all, it is important in a period when new agricultural policies (2014-2020) have decentralized more the responsibilities to the regions that, in agreement with local actors, must take into consideration the specific needs of each “homogenous” territory. For this purpose, new and different classifications of the Mediterranean territories can provide important indications for policy making and can increase the farmer’s knowledge. However, the results clearly show that some groups of European regions such as the extensive agricultural system and the medium livestock agricultural system, which have a weaker agricultural structure than the average of the 82 European regions considered in this study, have more needs for the restructuring of their agricultural system than others (e.g. the profitable agricultural system and the professional agricultural system). Equity is an important factor to ensure that public support goes to the holding that need it. About 80% of support goes to 20% of farmers, who most of the time do not need it, as they are the biggest and wealthiest landowner. However, the results confirm that policy design might not consider the Mediterranean agriculture as a whole, but it should take into account environmental and structural specificities of the holdings, as well as the different training level of farm managers.
Exploring similarities/dissimilarities in the agricultural system among Mediterranean European Union Regions
Rosa Maria Fanelli
2020-01-01
Abstract
An analysis of the main characteristics of the different agricultural systems in Mediterranean European Union regions is very important for the implementation (ex-ante) and the evaluation (ex-post) of the actions of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The purpose of this paper is to identify, with the application of a multivariate statistical analysis (Factor Analysis and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis), the “similarities” and the “dissimilarities” between 82 Mediterranean European regions. The analysis for this study was carried out by taking into account a specific set of 51 indicators: 11 environmental indicators and 40 socio-economic and structural indicators. A more accurate classification of Mediterranean regions in “homogeneous” territorial agricultural systems is essential to improve the comparability of regions for the development programs of the CAP. Above all, it is important in a period when new agricultural policies (2014-2020) have decentralized more the responsibilities to the regions that, in agreement with local actors, must take into consideration the specific needs of each “homogenous” territory. For this purpose, new and different classifications of the Mediterranean territories can provide important indications for policy making and can increase the farmer’s knowledge. However, the results clearly show that some groups of European regions such as the extensive agricultural system and the medium livestock agricultural system, which have a weaker agricultural structure than the average of the 82 European regions considered in this study, have more needs for the restructuring of their agricultural system than others (e.g. the profitable agricultural system and the professional agricultural system). Equity is an important factor to ensure that public support goes to the holding that need it. About 80% of support goes to 20% of farmers, who most of the time do not need it, as they are the biggest and wealthiest landowner. However, the results confirm that policy design might not consider the Mediterranean agriculture as a whole, but it should take into account environmental and structural specificities of the holdings, as well as the different training level of farm managers.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
