Social multicriteria evaluation of farming practices in the presence of soil degradation. A case study in Southern Tuscany, Italy

There is growing awareness in today’s society regarding the potential of sustainable farming practices to decrease soil degradation processes. This paper analyses the financial, environmental and social aspects of durum wheat cultivation practices linked to soil degradation processes in Southern Tuscany. The analysis has been conducted within a Social Multi-Criteria Evaluation (SMCE) framework and utilizing NAIADE (Novel Approach to Imprecise Assessment and Decision Environments) as a software tool. Conventional, integrated and organic durum wheat cultivation practices have been compared. One key outcome of the analysis is that organic practices represent a good compromise solution in relation to the environmental and socio-economic evaluation criteria chosen. Finally, the paper also offers some considerations regarding the influence of Agricultural European Policies (such as the CAP-Common Agricultural Policy) on the management of farming systems and as a consequence on the soil degradation phenomena.