A Comparative Cost-Benefit Analysis of Conventional and Organic Hazelnuts Production Systems in Center Italy

Abstract

In this study, the economic profitability of hazelnut production in central Italy using conventional and organic farming systems was evaluated using the cost–benefit analysis methodology. Viterbo’s province is the leading province in Italy in terms of quantity produced. Three indicators were calculated for both farming systems: net present value, payback time, internal rate of return. The analysis was conducted utilizing primary data collected by means of interviews and surveys with local farmers and organizations of producers. The collected production data refer to the decade 2008–2018; a global area of 100.34 ha and 76.14 ha were considered for conventional and organic cultivation, respectively. Sensitivity analysis was carried out considering different discount rates, price variability, and inflation rates. The net present value is equal to 92,800 €/ha and to 3778 €/ha, the payback time is 10.47 years and 42.94 years, while the internal rate of return is 12.2% and 1.1% for the conventional and organic production systems, respectively. The conventional production system performs significantly more remuneratively, considering that the price premium paid by the market for the organic product and the subsidies granted to organic farmers are not sufficient to balance the lower yield.

Effect of Organic Sources on Vegetative Growth, Fruit Quality and Yield of Phalsa (Grewia subinaequalis D.C.)

“…This result shows superior benefit cost ratio due to the different combination treatment. These results are in conformity with the findings of Coppola et al [29] in hazelnut and Jagadeesh et al [30] in beet root.…”

In-Depth Analysis and Characterization of a Hazelnut Agro-Industrial Context through the Integration of Multi-Source Satellite Data: A Case Study in the Province of Viterbo, Italy

“…In some areas, hazelnut groves 30 years of age with large plants are present. Periodically, hazelnut groves undergo pruning [59], which reduces canopy volume and can cause variation in reflectance due to the spectral mixing of soil and wood pixel signatures. The hazelnut is a deciduous plant, with an active vegetative growth phase during summer months, where irrigation intervention is often required, while pruning occurs during the vegetative rest period.…”

Selenium Seed Priming and Biostimulation Influence the Seed Germination and Seedling Morphology of Jalapeño (Capsicum annuum L.)

“…The hormesis is a biphasic dose-response relationship where low doses induce stimulation and high doses induce inhibition, with multiple applications in toxicology and biological disciplines [70,71]. The simultaneous plotting of biostimulation and phytotoxicity can be implemented in the cost-benefit analysis of nanofertilizers [72] and other fertilizers used on agricultural crops [73,74]. The limiting doses for stimulation (Figure S2) for the radicle length, fresh weight, and seedling vigor index were 5 and 15 mg L −1 for Na 2 SeO 3 and nSe, respectively, whilst in the plumule length these limits extend to 10 and 35 mg L −1 in the same order.…”