Inner areas, especially mountain ones, are not only far from essential services, but also affected by environmental (climate change), demographic (depopulation) and socio-economic (abandonment of economic activities) threats that jeopardise their survival. Strategies and opportunities for resilience are to be found in the territorial capital of these areas, whose restoration and valorisation can lead to virtuous development processes. To this end, the agri-food sector is particularly capable, especially in the form of Alternative Food Networks (AFNs), as opposed to conventional supply chains, and characterised by direct relationships between producer and consumer. This thesis, therefore, aims to analyse the role of AFNs and their economic potential in the processes of rural development and territorial regeneration of mountain inner areas. The research is divided into three sections: the first, through a bibliometric analysis and a review based on the PRISMA method, is aimed at a critical review of the literature to define the theoretical and methodological framework for the study of AFNs. In the second part, through a quali-quantitative analysis conducted with the LM3 (Local Multiplier 3) method, the economic impacts of AFNs on local communities, market dynamics and the strategies adopted by the actors belonging to the Internal Area (SNAI) of Alto and Medio Sannio (Molise) are examined. Three business models of the dairy supply chain in the Central Apennines are then examined, demonstrating how the diversification of business models and integration with local resources are key elements to ensure the economic and environmental sustainability of mountain communities. Finally, the role of public policies in supporting AFNs and promoting sustainable development models for rural areas is investigated through an analysis of the rural development policies adopted in Molise in the period 2014-2020. The third and final part examines the potential and limitations of the Optional Quality Term (OQT) for Mountain Products as a possible tool for enhancing short supply chains, with the task of certifying the mountain origin of agri-food products. The thesis therefore aims to contribute to the understanding of AFNs and their role in rural development processes through a theoretical-empirical analysis, highlighting their potential as a tool for innovation and sustainability in inland and mountain areas. However, the need for more integrated policies and more effective governance strategies to promote the long-term growth and stability of AFNs also emerges; in fact, economic support tools, the promotion of cooperation models between producers and consumers and the adoption of participatory approaches represent key elements for the future development of AFNs and for the resilience of rural communities.
Le aree interne, soprattutto quelle montane, oltre ad essere distanti dai servizi essenziali, sono colpite da minacce di tipo ambientale (cambiamenti climatici), demografico (spopolamento) e socio-economico (abbandono delle attività economiche), che ne minacciano la sopravvivenza. Strategie e opportunità di resilienza sono da ricercare nel capitale territoriale di tali aree, il cui recupero e valorizzazione può condurre a virtuosi processi di sviluppo. A tal fine, il settore agroalimentare si mostra particolarmente capace, soprattutto nelle configurazioni di reti alimentari alternative (Alternative Food Networks), contrapposte alle filiere convenzionali, e caratterizzate da relazioni dirette tra produttore e consumatore. Questa tesi, dunque, si propone di analizzare il ruolo degli AFNs ed il loro potenziale economico nei processi di sviluppo rurale e di rigenerazione territoriale delle aree interne. La ricerca è articolata in tre sezioni: la prima, attraverso un’analisi bibliometrica ed una review basata sul metodo PRISMA, è volta ad una revisione critica della letteratura per definire il quadro teorico e metodologico per lo studio degli AFNs. Nella seconda parte, attraverso un’analisi quali-quantitativa condotta con il metodo LM3 (Local Multiplier 3), vengono esaminati gli impatti economici degli AFNs sulle comunità locali, le dinamiche di mercato e le strategie adottate dagli attori appartenenti all'Area Interna (SNAI) dell'Alto e Medio Sannio (Molise). Vengono poi esaminati tre modelli di business della filiera lattiero-casearia nell'Appennino Centrale, dimostrando come la diversificazione dei modelli di business e l'integrazione con le risorse territoriali siano elementi chiave per garantire la sostenibilità economica e ambientale delle comunità montane. Infine, viene indagato il ruolo delle politiche pubbliche nel supportare gli AFNs e promuovere modelli di sviluppo sostenibili per le aree rurali attraverso un'analisi delle politiche di sviluppo rurale adottate in Molise nel periodo 2014-2020. La terza parte e ultima parte esamina il potenziale ed i limiti dell’Indicazione Facoltativa di Qualità (IFQ) Prodotto di Montagna come possibile strumento di valorizzazione delle filiere corte, avente il compito di certificare la provenienza montana dei prodotti agroalimentari. La tesi intende quindi fornire un contributo alla comprensione degli AFNs e del loro ruolo nei processi di sviluppo rurale attraverso un'analisi teorico-empirica, evidenziandone il potenziale come strumento di innovazione e sostenibilità nelle aree interne e montane. Tuttavia, emerge anche la necessità di politiche più integrate e di strategie di governance più efficaci per favorire la crescita e la stabilità degli AFNs nel lungo periodo; infatti strumenti di supporto economico, promozione di modelli di cooperazione tra produttori e consumatori e adozione di approcci partecipativi rappresentano elementi chiave per il futuro sviluppo degli AFNs e per la resilienza delle comunità rurali.
Alternative food networks and territorial regeneration: the economic potential of short food supply chains in Molise region
BISPINI, SARA
2025
Abstract
Inner areas, especially mountain ones, are not only far from essential services, but also affected by environmental (climate change), demographic (depopulation) and socio-economic (abandonment of economic activities) threats that jeopardise their survival. Strategies and opportunities for resilience are to be found in the territorial capital of these areas, whose restoration and valorisation can lead to virtuous development processes. To this end, the agri-food sector is particularly capable, especially in the form of Alternative Food Networks (AFNs), as opposed to conventional supply chains, and characterised by direct relationships between producer and consumer. This thesis, therefore, aims to analyse the role of AFNs and their economic potential in the processes of rural development and territorial regeneration of mountain inner areas. The research is divided into three sections: the first, through a bibliometric analysis and a review based on the PRISMA method, is aimed at a critical review of the literature to define the theoretical and methodological framework for the study of AFNs. In the second part, through a quali-quantitative analysis conducted with the LM3 (Local Multiplier 3) method, the economic impacts of AFNs on local communities, market dynamics and the strategies adopted by the actors belonging to the Internal Area (SNAI) of Alto and Medio Sannio (Molise) are examined. Three business models of the dairy supply chain in the Central Apennines are then examined, demonstrating how the diversification of business models and integration with local resources are key elements to ensure the economic and environmental sustainability of mountain communities. Finally, the role of public policies in supporting AFNs and promoting sustainable development models for rural areas is investigated through an analysis of the rural development policies adopted in Molise in the period 2014-2020. The third and final part examines the potential and limitations of the Optional Quality Term (OQT) for Mountain Products as a possible tool for enhancing short supply chains, with the task of certifying the mountain origin of agri-food products. The thesis therefore aims to contribute to the understanding of AFNs and their role in rural development processes through a theoretical-empirical analysis, highlighting their potential as a tool for innovation and sustainability in inland and mountain areas. However, the need for more integrated policies and more effective governance strategies to promote the long-term growth and stability of AFNs also emerges; in fact, economic support tools, the promotion of cooperation models between producers and consumers and the adoption of participatory approaches represent key elements for the future development of AFNs and for the resilience of rural communities.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14242/217744
URN:NBN:IT:UNIMOL-217744