Problematiche e prospettive di sviluppo economico dell’agricoltura biologica siciliana

Abstract

Sicilian organic farming is looked at with high interest and attention by sector researchers and analysts. Organic farming sector in Sicily as to growth rate, total area, number of certified farmers, variety of organic products and climate and environmental characteristics, may be considered today as the most important in Europe. An analysis of the regional scenario points out several strengths and weaknesses of the sector, some of which partly caused by external factors, concerning organic farming on a whole, and some others related to some specific aspects of Sicilian situation. The rapid growth of this sector is mostly due to the gradual definition of a legal framework and to the financial aid provided to organic farmers by EU, and to an increasing trend of demand for organic food. With this respect, the positive trend of national and European organic market is now driven by the growing awareness of consumers about the importance of food safety, as well by health, ethic and environmental reasons.