AGROFORESTRY ACTIONS IN ITALY: AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS USING THE EUROPEAN DATABASE FADN

N. Galluzzo

Abstract: In Italy over the last 20 years there has been a growth of afforestated surfaces stimulated by activated measures financed by the second pillar of Common Agricultural Policy. The impact of funds allocated by the European Union to promote agroforestry and other actions about rural development has been investigated throughout the dataset Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). Using a quantitative approach, or rather a multiple regression model on the time series of the FADN, it has been possible during more than 20 years to evaluate the role of financial supports both towards the rural development and also
specifically on the growth of afforestation in Italy, which may be pivotal to farms to promote multifunctionality and to lessen the rural depopulation. Another quantitative paradigm has found out, as there are not relationships of causality between the variable afforestated surfaces and funds allocated to promote the rural development as well. The analysis of efficiency has been the most and foremost aspect to estimate during three different seven-year time of implementing of Rural Development Programs if there has been a negative change in economic and technical efficiency in Italian farms.

Keywords: efficiency; Granger causality; Italian afforestated surfaces; multifunctionality; multiple regression model; rural depopulation; rural development funds

Date published: 2017-10-09