Innovative investments and sustainability in individual agricultural businesses in Tuscany: who are the key players in this transformation?

This study is part of the 2023 joint IRPET-Tuscany Region activities and was commissioned by IRPET by the EAFRD Managing Authority in agreement with the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the Tuscany Region. The study was conceived and carried out by Sara Turchetti and Marco Mariani within the Productive Sectors and Businesses area of ​​IRPET. Sabrina Iommi, Patrizia Lattarulo, Renato Paniccià, and Valentina Patacchini, all from IRPET, provided consultancy on specific aspects. The sample survey was designed by Sara Turchetti and Marco Mariani and physically implemented by SWG S.p.A.

Despite its smaller size compared to other large regions of the country, the agricultural sector in Tuscany is of considerable economic importance. It is instrumental in maintaining the landscape elements that define the regional identity and in pursuing, no longer postponable, important environmental objectives. The performance of these functions depends largely on farms, which in Tuscany are very often small or very small individual enterprises. Our research’s primary objective is to examine the investments these small Tuscan farms have made over the past three years in adopting technological innovations and sustainable agricultural practices, and to understand which individual agricultural managers/entrepreneurs are most likely to be the driving forces behind this change. The study is based on a broad and original survey conducted, following rigorous statistical criteria, among individual agricultural managers in Tuscany.