Roberto Polidori

Agri-tourism and rural development: the Low-Valdelsa case, Italy

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the demand of tourists who stay in agri‐tourist facilities and assess the impact of agri‐tourism on local development in terms of income and employment. The study was conducted in Tuscany, a region which is pre‐eminent in terms of the Italian agri‐tourist supply and which has a strong attraction for tourists seeking natural resources, the countryside and the local culture.Design/methodology/approach – The methodology called for the use of the input output model based on a regional accounting matrix which was appropriately modified, according to data obtained from a direct investigation. Tourist spending was ascertained by means of a questionnaire submitted to tourists who stayed in agri‐tourist facilities. Main weaknesses of the tourist system were highlighted by means of personal interviews which were conducted with key informants.Findings – The results emphasize a lack of coordination between the suppliers of products and services provided in the territo...

Efficiency and costs of the health management in an organic dairy farm where we use unconventional medicines

Abstract The EU organic regulation explicitly promote the use of unconventional therapies, like homoeopathy and phytotherapy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficiency and the costs of these treatment methods. From December 2006 to September 2008, we analyzed the data recorded in an organic dairy farm where the animals are normally treated by classical unicistic homeopathy and phytotherapy, and only when indispensable, by allophaty, antiparasitic drugs, surgery and vaccines. The use of homeopathy resulted to be predominant in comparison with the others treatments. Besides, our trial showed that homeopathy and phytotherapy could be used to treat, with good outcomes, the majority of diseases that occur in a dairy cattle farm, even if, sometimes, conventional medicines have to be used. The costs for unconventional treatments are very low in comparison with conventional ones. This will allow the spreading of unconventional medicines in the Italian organic farms.

Sviluppo sostenibile e turismo nel parco dell'Etna : un'analisi condotta attraverso il modello delle interdipendenze settoriali

The aim of our work was to analyse the synergies between local development and tourism linked to landscape and traditions. This was achieved by analyzing the productive and social-institutional structure; by assessing the impact of tourism on the local economic system (in terms of income and employment) and by simulating the effects that rural development policies may have on the local economy. The results show the level of integration between farming and non-farming activities and point out the strengths and weaknesses of the local system. The discussions provide with some ideas for a critical analysis of local development policies.

Sviluppo, ambiente, territorio : il metodo produttivo biologico

The first aim of this study is to identify the economic, social, technical and institutional elements that favoured the development of organic agriculture in Italy and to verify the requirements for future growth of this productive sector. The second aim of the study is to underline the importance of organic production within the policy of rural development, with particular attention to marginal areas. The third aim is the description of economic and environmental data related to the organic method. Data derive form the analysis of representative farms and reveal the effects of organic production on income, employment, environment and on the development of other activities in the territory. Therefore, the paper is divided into three parts. In the first part, the dynamic process of the development is briefly described; in the second part, the structural elements of organic production are pointed out and their role in the development of the territory is discussed; in the third part the economic, environmental, technical and structural results of organic farms are analysed in Tuscan areas with different rural development typologies.