Advisors and inspectors for the development of organic agriculture in Italy

Journal title Economia agro-alimentare
Author/s Roberta Milardo, Aldo Bertazzoli
Publishing Year 2024 Issue 2024/1
Language English Pages 22 P. 137-158 File size 0 KB
DOI 10.3280/ecag2024oa16697
DOI is like a bar code for intellectual property: to have more infomation click here

View article Download Open Access article

FrancoAngeli is member of Publishers International Linking Association, Inc (PILA), a not-for-profit association which run the CrossRef service enabling links to and from online scholarly content.

The advisory services play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges of the European green transition and enhancing the quality of services along the organic agricultural supply chain. However, there is limited evidence regarding the role and current working conditions of professionals supporting organic farming. The present study aims to fill this gap by investigating the working characteristics and job satisfaction levels among Italian organic advisors and inspectors. The analysis of selected variables encompassing interviewee characteristics, work activities, and satisfaction metrics provides insights into the perspectives of advisors and inspectors on their roles and working conditions. The findings reveal that while technicians generally express satisfaction with their remuneration and opportunities for personal and professional growth, they also report significant stress levels and workload. Identifying variables influencing satisfaction levels was pursued to measure the association between variables. This research establishes a foundation for developing strategies to enhance the well-being and effectiveness of organic farming advisors and inspectors, thereby promoting agricultural knowledge and innovation. One potential avenue for further investigation is monitoring agricultural technicians’ operational activities at both the national and regional levels.

Keywords: ; Advisory Services; Job Satisfaction; Organic farming; Organic Certification; Online Survey

  1. Alotaibi, B.A., Yoder, E., & Kassem, H.S. (2021). Extension Agents’ Perceptions of the Role of Extension Services in Organic Agriculture: A Case Study from Saudi Arabia. Sustainability, 13(9), 4880. DOI: 10.3390/su13094880.
  2. Angsukanjanakul, J., Banpot, K., & Jermsittiparsert, K. (2019). Factors That Influence Job Performance of Agricultural Workers. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 7, 71-86.
  3. Arbenz, M., Gould, D., & Stopes, C. (2017). ORGANIC 3.0 – The vision of the global organic movement and the need for scientific support. Organic Agriculture, 7. DOI: 10.1007/s13165-017-0177-7.
  4. Bakker, A.B., & Demerouti, E. (2017). Job demands-resources theory: Taking stock and looking forward. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 22(3), 273-285. DOI: 10.1037/ocp0000056.
  5. Baloch, M.A., & Thapa, G.B. (2019). Review of the agricultural extension modes and services with the focus to Balochistan, Pakistan. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, 18(2), 188-194. DOI: 10.1016/j.jssas.2017.05.001.
  6. Birke, F.M., Bae, S., Schober, A., Wolf, S., Gerster-Bentaya, M., & Knierim, A. (April 2022). AKIS in European countries: Cross analysis of AKIS country reports from the i2connect project. -- https://i2connect-h2020.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-12-02-AKIS-cross-analysis_updated.pdf.
  7. Canavari, M., Cantore, N., Pignatti, E., & Spadoni, R. (2010). Role of certification bodies in the organic production system. In B. Slee, C. Tong, B. Anurugsa, R. Haas, & M. Canavari (Eds.), Looking east looking west (pp. 85-99). Brill |Wageningen Academic. DOI: 10.3920/9789086867035_006.
  8. Christoplos, I. (2010). Mobilizing the Potential of Rural and Agricultural Extension. Food And Agriculture Organization of The United Nations Office of Knowledge Exchange, Research and Extension (FAO), Rome. -- www.fao.org/3/i1444e/i1444e.pdf.
  9. Cristiano, S., Carta, V., Sturla, A., D’Oronzio, M.A., & Proietti, P. (2020). AKIS and advisory services in Italy. Report for the AKIS inventory (Task 1.2) of the i2connect project. -- www.innovarurale.it/sites/default/files/2021-03/i2connect_akiscountryreport_italy_final.pdf.
  10. Da Rocha Oliveira Teixeira, R., Arcuri, S., Cavicchi, A., Galli, F., Brunori, G., & Vergamini, D. (2023). Can alternative wine networks foster sustainable business model innovation and value creation? The case of organic and biodynamic wine in Tuscany. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7, 1241062. DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1241062.
  11. Davis, K., & Sulaiman V.R. (2014). The New Extensionist: Roles and Capacities to Strengthen Extension and Advisory Services. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 21(3), 6-18. DOI: 10.5191/jiaee.2014.21301.
  12. Deci, E.L., & Ryan, R.M. (2008). Self-determination theory: A macrotheory of human motivation, development, and health. Canadian Psychology / Psychologie Canadienne, 49(3), 182-185. DOI: 10.1037/a0012801.
  13. European Commission (April 2019). Building stronger agricultural knowledge and innovation system (AKIS) to foster advice, knowledge and innovation in agriculture and rural areas. -- https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2019-04/building-stronger-akis_en_0.pdf.
  14. European Commission (2022). L’agricoltura biologica in sintesi. -- https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/farming/organic-farming/organics-glance_it.
  15. European Union (2024). Developing an EU advisory network on organic agriculture. -- https://cordis.europa.eu/programme/id/HORIZON_HORIZONCL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-20.
  16. Eyhorn, F., Muller, A., Reganold, J.P., Frison, E., Herren, H.R., Luttikholt, L., Mueller, A., Sanders, J., Scialabba, N.E.-H., Seufert, V., & Smith, P. (2019). Sustainability in global agriculture driven by organic farming. Nature Sustainability, 2(4), 253-255. DOI: 10.1038/s41893-019-0266-6.
  17. Faure, G., Desjeux, Y., & Gasselin, P. (2012). New Challenges in Agricultural Advisory Services from a Research Perspective: A Literature Review, Synthesis and Research Agenda. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 18(5), 461-492. DOI: 10.1080/1389224X.2012.707063.
  18. Willer, H., Trávníček, J., Meier, C., & Schlatter, B. (Ed.) (2022). The world of organic agriculture: Statistics & emergingt trends 2022. FiBL IFOMA-Organics international.
  19. Gagné, M., & Deci, E.L. (2005). Self‐determination theory and work motivation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 26(4), 331-362. DOI: 10.1002/job.322.
  20. Hofmans, J., De Gieter, S., & Pepermans, R. (2013). Individual differences in the relationship between satisfaction with job rewards and job satisfaction. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 82(1), 1-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.jvb.2012.06.007.
  21. Hulin, C.L., & Judge, T.A. (2003). Job Attitudes. In I.B. Weiner (Ed.). Handbook of Psychology (1st ed., pp. 255-276). Wiley. DOI: 10.1002/0471264385.wei1211.
  22. Ingram, J. (2008). Agronomist-farmer knowledge encounters: An analysis of knowledge exchange in the context of best management practices in England. Agriculture and Human Values, 25(3), 405-418. DOI: 10.1007/s10460-008-9134-0.
  23. Istituto di Servizi per il Mercato Agricolo Alimentare (July 2022). Appuntamento con il Bio: l’agricoltura biologica del futuro. -- www.ismea.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/11843.
  24. Jones-Bitton, A., Hagen, B., Fleming, S.J., & Hoy, S. (2019). Farmer Burnout in Canada. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(24), 5074. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16245074.
  25. Kassem, H.S., Alotaibi, B.A., Muddassir, M., & Herab, A. (2021). Factors influencing farmers’ satisfaction with the quality of agricultural extension services. Evaluation and Program Planning, 85, 101912. DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2021.101912.
  26. Kaur, R., Bhalla, P., Saini, J.K., & Qazi, S. (2021). Employment Type and Organizational Role Stress- A Relational Study in Agricultural Extension. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture, 37(4). DOI: 10.17582/journal.sja/2021/37.4.1291.1297.
  27. Klerkx, L. (2020). Advisory services and transformation, plurality and disruption of agriculture and food systems: Towards a new research agenda for agricultural education and extension studies. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 26(2), 131-140. DOI: 10.1080/1389224X.2020.1738046.
  28. Kolstrup, C.L. (2012). What factors attract and motivate dairy farm employees in their daily work? Work, 41, 5311-5316. DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0049-5311.
  29. Landini, F., Turner, J.A., Davis, K., Percy, H., & Van Niekerk, J. (2022). International comparison of extension agent objectives and construction of a typology. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 28(4), 415-437. DOI: 10.1080/1389224X.2021.1936091.
  30. Locke, E.A. (1969). What is job satisfaction?. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 4(4), 309-336. DOI: 10.1016/0030-5073(69)90013-0.
  31. Logstein, B. (2016). Predictors of mental complaints among Norwegian male farmers. Occupational Medicine, 66(4), 332-337. DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqw019.
  32. López-García, J.R., García-Herrero, S., Gutiérrez, J.M., & Mariscal, M.A. (2019). Psychosocial and Ergonomic Conditions at Work: Influence on the Probability of a Workplace Accident. BioMed Research International, 2019, 1-13. DOI: 10.1155/2019/2519020.
  33. Ministero dell’agricoltura, della sovranità alimentare e delle foreste (March 2021). Dentro la scatola dell’AKIS. Quale evoluzione per il sistema al servizio della conoscenza e dell’innovazione. -- www.crea.gov.it/web/politiche-ebioeconomia/-/akis-agricultural-knowledge-and-innovation-system.
  34. Meyerding, S.G.H. (2017). Analyzing job satisfaction and preferences of employees: The case of horticultural companies in Germany. International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, 20(5), 765-788. DOI: 10.22434/IFAMR2016.0158.
  35. Moran, C.M., Diefendorff, J.M., Kim, T.-Y., & Liu, Z.-Q. (2012). A profile approach to self-determination theory motivations at work. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 81(3), 354-363. DOI: 10.1016/j.jvb.2012.09.002.
  36. Mußhoff, P.D.O., Tegtmeier, A., & Hirschauer, P.D.N. (2013). Attraktivität einer landwirtschaftlichen Tätigkeit – Einflussfaktoren und Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten. Berichte über Landwirtschaft - Zeitschrift für Agrarpolitik und Landwirtschaft, Band 91. DOI: 10.12767/BUEL.V91I2.24.
  37. Pascucci, S., & de-Magistris, T. (2011). The effects of changing regional Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System on Italian farmers’ strategies. Agricultural Systems, 104(9), 746-754. DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2011.07.005.
  38. Polidori, R. (2003). Sviluppo, ambiente, territorio: il metodo produttivo biologico. Aestimum, 42, 1-30.
  39. Proietti, P., & Cristiano, S. (2023). Innovation support services: An evidencebased exploration of their strategic roles in the Italian AKIS. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 29(3), 351-371. DOI: 10.1080/1389224X.2022.2069828.
  40. Rahmann, G., Reza Ardakani, M., Bàrberi, P., Boehm, H., Canali, S., Chander, M., David, W., Dengel, L., Erisman, J.W., Galvis-Martinez, A.C., Hamm, U., Kahl, J., Köpke, U., Kühne, S., Lee, S. B., Løes, A.-K., Moos, J.H., Neuhof, D., Nuutila, J.T., … Zanoli, R. (2017). Organic Agriculture 3.0 is innovation with research. Organic Agriculture, 7(3), 169-197. DOI: 10.1007/s13165-016-0171-5.
  41. Raina, S. (2020). Agricultural Extension Agents and Challenges for Sustainable Development. In H. Chahal, V. Pereira, & J. Jyoti (Eds.), Sustainable Business Practices for Rural Development (pp. 93-119). Singapore: Springer. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-9298-6_6.
  42. Reganold, J.P., & Wachter, J.M. (2016). Organic agriculture in the twenty-first century. Nature Plants, 2(2), 15221. DOI: 10.1038/nplants.2015.221.
  43. Rhodes, S.R. (1983). Age-related differences in work attitudes and behavior: A review and conceptual analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 93(2), 328-367. DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.93.2.328.
  44. Röling, N. (1990). The Agricultural Research-Technology Transfer Interface: A Knowledge Systems Perspective. In D. Kaimowitz (Ed.), Making the Link, 1, 1-42. DOI: 10.1201/9780429044410-1.
  45. Sanders, J., Stolze, M., & Padel, S. (November 2011). Use and Efficiency of Public Support Measures Addressing Organic Farming. Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut. -- https://literatur.thuenen.de/digbib_extern/dn050266.pdf.
  46. Sastoque, M.J.M. (2015). Satisfacción con el empleo de extensionista rural: Un estudio cualitativo en Caldas, Colombia. Revista Ceres, 62(3), 241-250. DOI: 10.1590/0034-737X201562030003.
  47. Seufert, V., & Ramankutty, N. (2017). Many shades of gray – The context-dependent performance of organic agriculture. Science Advances, 3(3), e1602638. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1602638.
  48. Sistema d’Informazione Nazionale sull’Agricoltura Biologica (July 2023a). Bio in Cifre 2023. Elaborazione SINAB su dati Organismi di Controllo. -- www.sinab.it/reportannuali/bio-cifre-2023.
  49. Sistema d’Informazione Nazionale sull’Agricoltura Biologica (2023b). Superfici biologiche per anno e regione, SINAB Database navigation. -- www.sinab.it/superfici.
  50. Swanson, B., & Rajalahti, R. (2010). Strengthening Agricultural Extension and Advisory Systems: Procedures for Assessing, Transforming, and Evaluating Extension Systems. Agriculture and Rural Development Discussion Paper. The World Bank. -- http://hdl.handle.net/10986/23993.
  51. Van Oost, I. (2019). Common Agricultural Policy. EIP AGRI and perspectives for AKIS in the CAP post 2021-2027. Unit B2 – Research & Innovation, European Commission. -- www.piumbria.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/04-PRES-VANOOST-INGE.pdf.
  52. Yadav, A., Pandita, D., & Singh, S. (2022). Work-life integration, job contentment, employee engagement and its impact on organizational effectiveness: A systematic literature review. Industrial and Commercial Training, 54(3), 509-527. DOI: 10.1108/ICT-12-2021-0083.
  53. Zanoli, R., Cuoco, E., Barabanova, Y., Mandolesi, S., & Naspetti, S. (2018). Using Q methodology to facilitate the establishment of the 2030 vision for the EU organic sector. Organic Agriculture, 8(3), 265-273. DOI: 10.1007/s13165-018-0207-0.

Roberta Milardo, Aldo Bertazzoli, Advisors and inspectors for the development of organic agriculture in Italy in "Economia agro-alimentare" 1/2024, pp 137-158, DOI: 10.3280/ecag2024oa16697