Climate Change and High-Quality Agri-Food Production: Perceptions of Risk and Adaptation Strategies in the Calabria Region (Southern Italy)

Abstract

The unique features of high-quality agri-food production are rooted in the specificities of ecosystems, interpreted through an anthropocentric lens. In Italy, such products are nationally certified with labels that enhance both their market value and their territorial identity. However, climate change amplifies risks such as land degradation and reduced arability, threatening the value systems tied to ecosystems, places, and products. As a result, the relationship between environmental conditions and certified quality is becoming more fragile across the Italian peninsula. This paper investigates how producers and consumers perceive the risks posed by climate change to the ecosystem characteristics of Terroir, focusing on Calabria—a southern Italian region marked by socio-environmental vulnerability and a limited number of certified products. This fragility may further hinder certified agri-food production, with serious implications for the local agribusiness sector. Using a qualitative methodology, the study draws on questionnaires administered to producers and farmers, alongside interviews with key stakeholders and exploratory fieldworks. Eventually, this research aims to identify major environmental risks impacting certified production in Calabria, examine the adaptation strategies adopted by local producers, and assess the perceived effectiveness of institutional support. It also explores whether certifications such as PDO and PGI can act as tools to mitigate climate-related impacts while enhancing product value and territorial resilience. These findings can inform more effective policies for promoting sustainable, high-quality agri-food systems under changing climate conditions in a transcalar perspective.

1. Introduction

The globalization of markets has significantly impacted the agri-food system in recent years, intensifying price-based competition. This has particularly affected small and medium-sized enterprises, making product differentiation essential for achieving competitive advantage and market recognition [1]. However, while obtaining a certification is a crucial step, it is merely a starting point. The associated costs may not always yield a favourable market response, potentially leading to cultivation or monoculture practices driven solely by marketing considerations. These dynamics risk compromising biodiversity and masking underlying conflicts among stakeholders [2]. Moreover, branding processes of this nature can contribute to patrimonialisation, which does not always have positive territorial impacts. Examples in the literature highlight cases of intensive and extractive cultivation, such as Prosecco production in Italy and viticulture in the Bordeaux region of France [3,4]. These cases illustrate what Donna Haraway broadly defines as Plantationocene [5,6].

Simultaneously, although the agri-food sector is one the largest emitters of greenhouse gases compared to other industries [7], it also suffers the effects of weather and climate alterations that disrupt ecosystem balance. Operating within an extractivist paradigm that often equates territorial and economic value [8,9,10], the agricultural sector is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, sudden climate changes, drought, soil erosion, and the increased incidence of plant pests and diseases. These phenomena threaten both food production and global food security. In this context, a reduction in what is anthropocentrically termed ‘natural capital’—alongside efforts to construct resilient food systems—often leads to diminished productive diversity and a decline in agri-food quality [11]. This dynamic calls into question the effectiveness of mitigation strategies, particularly when they serve purely economic objectives. If such measures are merely technocentric, they offer no real prospect of ‘sustainability’.

Actually, article 11 of the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights recognises the right to food as the fundamental right of every individual to adequate nutrition and freedom from hunger. According to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, one of the key conditions for ensuring the protection of this right is ‘sustainability’, which serves as the ‘fifth pillar’ of food security—alongside availability, stability, accessibility, and utilisation [12,13]. In the Italian regulatory framework for the agri-food sector, the growing recognition of the link between regulations, products, and rural landscapes has become increasingly evident [14,15,16]. As a result, value is transferred not only to agri-food products but also to the landscape and territorial elements that hold cultural and environmental significance as productive landscapes.

Nonetheless, these processes entail critical challenges, and it is essential to foster a virtuous cycle that strengthens territorial stewardship. One approach involves promoting sustainable tourism practices that help mitigate the ‘riskscape’—a concept encompassing the various risks affecting the entire supply chain. Engaging all stakeholders in sustainability-oriented strategies strengthens territorial protection beyond economic objectives. The concept of Terroir, grounded in the interaction between soil, climate, and human know-how, underpins the quality certification system. Terroir, derived from the fusion of territoire (territory) and savoir-faire (know-how), encapsulates a fundamental relationship in the production of traditional products. On this basis, a typical product serves as a catalyst for rural development, even becoming an opportunity for social growth by fostering the integration of agriculture with other economic activities [17].

Given what has been said, EU certifications and collective brands contribute to structuring a value system based on territorial specificity and environmental integrity. These certifications are designed to structure a quality system based on value signals built around branding. In 1992, the EU introduced regulations governing the certification of typical productions through two legislative measures: EC Reg. 2081/1992 and EC Reg. 2082/1992. These regulations established three quality schemes: (1) PDO—Protected Designation of Origin; (2) PGI—Protected Geographical Indication; (3) TSG—Traditional Speciality Guaranteed [18]. In the following years, the regulatory framework underwent several changes, first with the enactment of EC Reg. 509/2006 and Reg. 510/2006, and later with the adoption of the current regulation, Reg. EU 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and the Council of 21 November 2012, which governs quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs [19].

Despite criticisms—particularly the risk that certifications may encourage market-oriented cultivation at the expense of biodiversity and territorial balance—quality marks can play a strategic role in managing climate-related risks [20,21]. This prompts two key questions: first, whether the certification system can withstand the challenges posed by climate change, and second, how these designations can contribute to mitigating its effects while fostering a more sustainable agri-food policy. In response, several considerations emerge, including the search for new crop varieties or the adaptation of existing ones, the identification and expansion of suitable geographic areas, the establishment of new risk management criteria—such as innovative insurance models—and the development of localized governance approaches for these designations [20].

The interplay between agri-food quality certifications and climate change is the core focus of this study. It aims to explore how consumers and producers perceive the risks associated with the degradation of Terroir’s ecosystem characteristics—an issue exacerbated by ongoing climate change—and to assess the potential role of quality labels in mitigating these risks. This issue is highlighted in many international and national policy documents and is an increasingly studied topic in the literature, as we have already mentioned. This topic is widely addressed in international and national policy documents and increasingly discussed in the literature, particularly in light of Reg. 2024/1143, which allows for sustainability practices to be integrated into product specifications. The analysis focuses particularly on Calabria, a region that, despite having fewer certified agri-food products than other Italian regions, faces significant socio-environmental fragility. This vulnerability could further reduce the production of certified goods, with substantial consequences for the local agri-food system.

Accordingly, the study addresses the following research questions:

• How do Calabrian producers perceive the impacts of climate change on agriculture and Terroir characteristics?
• What are the main environmental risks affecting certified agri-food production in Calabria?
• Which adaptation strategies have been adopted by producers to respond to climate-related challenges?
• How is institutional support perceived in managing climate risks within the agri-food sector?
• Can quality certifications (such as PGO or PGI) help mitigate the effects of climate change and enhance product value?

To understand how these issues are being addressed by local stakeholders, producers, and consumers, the study employed an online survey, in-depth interviews with companies belonging to protection consortia, the consortia themselves, and regional agriculture confederations, along with field explorations.

Findings are interpreted in relation to existing international literature and supplemented with comparative insights and transcalar policy recommendations, with the aim of identifying climate-related threats to agribusiness and exploring viable adaptation strategies.

2. Methods and Context

2.1. Materials and Methods

To analyse the potential role of quality certifications in mitigating climate change-related impacts, perceptions of these issues in productive territories, and additional measures or initiatives proposed at the local level, a qualitative multi-approach methodology was employed (Figure 1). The use of qualitative methods in studies on agriculture, the role of farmers, and the perception of climate change is well supported by the literature across various geographical contexts [22,23]. The analysis was conducted between October 2024 and March 2025.

To ensure the study’s replicability in other production areas, data collection was carried out through an online questionnaire administered via Google Forms (see Appendix A). The questionnaire was sent to all consortia representing companies that produce quality-certified products, with instructions to distribute it to their members. The research was further enriched through field observations. While the number of respondents may not be statistically significant in a quantitative sense, the data still provided valuable insights, offering a ‘bottom-up’ perspective that complements the views of key stakeholders. The data, analysed using descriptive statistics, include the results of the qualitative field survey and the average responses to the questionnaires (measured on a Likert scale). The sample was obtained through contacts with the region’s agri-food consortia and direct engagement with producers. To mitigate potential sampling biases, in-depth interviews—structured around the key dimensions outlined above—were conducted with industry employer associations and selected farm owners.

The questionnaire comprises 33 questions, structured as follows:

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8 questions on biographical profiling, covering gender, age, education level, profession, farm size, province, locality, and prevalent product;

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6 questions assessing perceptions of climate change-related risks in the target production area, using a 5-point Likert scale (agreement/disagreement scale);

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4 questions examining perceptions of the consequences (both landscape and economic) of climate change-related effects on ‘Terroir’ and agricultural land loss (two dichotomous, one open-ended, and one on a Likert scale);

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4 questions on adaptation to climate change impacts, including strategies and measures already implemented (dichotomous responses);

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4 questions assessing possible measures to address disruptions (Likert scale);

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6 questions specifically focused on the role of certifications and quality signs (five dichotomous, one open-ended);

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1 open-ended question asking respondents to suggest actions for improving the enhancement of certified products in light of climate risks.

2.2. The Study Area

The region of Calabria, spanning 15,080 km² in southern Italy and home to 1,947,131 people according to the 2024 ISTAT—Italian Statistical Bureau data, is divided into five provinces: Catanzaro (the regional capital), Cosenza, Crotone, Reggio Calabria, and Vibo Valentia.

Calabria’s climate is characterised by mild winters and hot summers with minimal precipitation, influenced by its geographical position and mountainous terrain. The Ionian slope is particularly affected by warm air currents from the African continent, leading to high temperatures and brief but intense rainfall. In contrast, the Tyrrhenian slope is exposed to western currents, resulting in milder temperatures. Inland areas, however, experience harsher winters with snowfall and cooler summers accompanied by occasional rainfall [24,25,26,27] (Figure 2).

However, recent data show that Calabria is increasingly affected by extreme natural events that cause extensive damage, including floods, heavy localised rainfall, tornadoes, landslides triggered by intense precipitation, river floods, and storm surges [24,28]. Calabria is also among the Italian regions most impacted by coastal erosion, which severely compromises local ecosystems. Additionally, the region faces a high risk of forest fires and desertification [29]. While extreme events are becoming more frequent, the rainfall pattern has also undergone significant changes. Official data indicate a steady decline in overall rainfall and worsening drought conditions, with drought events now occurring more frequently and lasting longer than in the past. An analysis of rainfall data collected by the former National Hydrographic Service, in collaboration CNR—Italian National Research Council, revealed that the return intervals of drought periods during 1981–2010 were halved compared to the previous 30-year period (1951–1980), confirming a significant increase in the frequency of such events [30].

The rapid increase in extreme weather events in Calabria underscores the urgent need for measures to mitigate the effects of the climate crisis, particularly in high-productivity areas [29].

To address the damage caused by climate change, the Region of Calabria has established the Regional Revolving Fund for ‘Risk Management’, managed by the ARCEA—Calabria Region Agency for Agricultural Disbursements. With an initial allocation of EUR 1.5 million, this fund aims to advance insurance premiums to farmers who take out subsidised policies against crop damage, ensuring immediate liquidity while awaiting national contributions.

At the European level, the European Commission recently proposed allocating EUR 100 million from the agricultural reserve to support farmers affected by adverse weather events (https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2025-041-bei-100-milioni-alla-regione-calabria-per-agricoltura-e-infrastrutture-sostenibili, last accessed on 28 March 2025). This initiative aims to provide direct financial support to compensate for losses and ensure the continuity of agricultural activities. However, these measures are often inadequate or difficult to access due to bureaucratic complexities [31]. Beyond public institutions, several organisations support Calabrian farmers in managing the consequences of extreme weather events. Trade associations (such as Coldiretti, Confagricoltura, and CIA—Italian Confederation of Farmers) assist in filing claims and advocate for farmers’ interests with institutions [32]. Nevertheless, their involvement is not always sufficient to overcome bureaucratic hurdles.

Agricultural cooperatives play a crucial role in facilitating access to resources by promoting information sharing and mutual support among local producers. Additionally, specialised advisory services help farmers navigate the complex regulatory and administrative processes related to compensation. Despite these efforts, the current system still faces structural weaknesses. Bureaucratic procedures remain slow and often inadequate in responding promptly to farmers’ needs. Moreover, a significant portion of agricultural labour in Calabria is linked to the exploitation of migrant workers embedded within capitalist processes of land and labour extraction. Migrant communities frequently face racist acts and systemic marginalisation [33,34,35]. Furthermore, Calabria has a high presence of agromafie—namely criminal networks that create a pervasive and violent environment, making it difficult for farmers to operate independently. The combination of organised crime and weak institutional support for businesses and workers exacerbates these challenges [33].

To effectively address the challenges posed by climate change, it is essential to implement a risk management system that is faster, more efficient, and more transparent, providing timely and concrete support to Calabrian agricultural producers.

3. Results

The study involved a diverse sample of stakeholders representing the main socio-professional categories associated with the agri-food sector. These included breeders, farmers (Figure 3), fishermen, agritourism businesses, distributors, cooperatives, agronomists, and representatives of key organisations and associations that support agricultural entrepreneurs, such as Coldiretti, Confagricoltura, and CIA, as well as the Food District of the Province of Vibo Valentia.

3.1. Sample Profiling

A total of 52 respondents completed the questionnaire. Of these, 76.92% were male, while 23.08% were female. The sample was primarily composed of participants aged between 51 and 60 (35.90%), followed by those in the 61–70 age group (20.51%) and the 41–50 age group (17.95%). Younger age groups, specifically those between 31 and 40 years (12.82%) and 21 and 30 years (10.26%), were less represented. Finally, only 2.56% of respondents were over 70 years old. The educational backgrounds of the respondents were diverse. The majority held a high school diploma (41.03%), followed by a significant proportion with a middle school diploma (30.77%). Additionally, 17.95% had a degree, while 7.69% had obtained a PhD. Only 2.56% reported having no formal qualifications. The professional composition of the sample revealed a predominance of farmers (38.46%), followed by breeders (17.95%) and agricultural entrepreneurs (12.82%). A smaller proportion consisted of agri-food technicians (10.26%), while the remaining 20.51% belonged to other professional categories, including distributors, cooperatives, and certification bodies.

A total of 89.74% of the respondents worked in micro-enterprises with fewer than 10 employees, while only 7.69% were employed in small enterprises (11–50 employees). Medium-sized enterprises (50–250 employees) were underrepresented (2.56%), and no participants reported working in a large company (over 250 employees). The respondents were primarily based in the province of Reggio Calabria (43.59%), followed by Cosenza (30.77%) and Catanzaro (15.38%). The provinces of Vibo Valentia (7.69%) and Crotone (2.56%) had a smaller representation.

3.2. Prevalent Quality Agri-Food Products and Environmental Risks for Agriculture

The participants’ production activities focused on a variety of high-quality agri-food products. A total of 23.08% cultivated vegetables and fruit trees, while 17.95% produced extra virgin olive oil. This is followed by charcuterie (12.82%), cheeses (10.26%), ancient cereals and flours (7.69%), and wine (7.69%). The remaining 20.51% encompasses other niche agri-food categories, such as fisheries. The survey highlighted that farmers perceive multiple environmental threats affecting their production activities. Among these, soil erosion was a significant concern, with over 27% of respondents considering it a medium-high risk. Floods and droughts were perceived as having the greatest impact, with 27.02% and 41.03% of interviewees, respectively, attributing them the highest level of risk. Extreme weather events were considered ‘critical’ by 35.14% of respondents, while 29.73% believed they had a ‘very high’ impact on agricultural production. Regarding geo-hydrological risk, landslides were a major concern for a significant portion of respondents, with 25% considering them a serious threat to crop stability. Additionally, groundwater pollution was perceived as a substantial risk, with over 22.22% of stakeholders assessing this threat as very high. These findings confirm a growing concern about climate change and the effects of environmental degradation on the agri-food sector. They underscore the need for effective adaptation and mitigation strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of agricultural production.

3.3. Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Activities

When asked whether climate change has already impacted their agricultural activities, 89.74% of stakeholders responded affirmatively, while 10.26% reported no significant effects on their operations. The main negative effects reported by stakeholders who believe climate change has significantly impacted their activities include the following:

• Increased drought and reduced water availability, leading to irrigation difficulties and a decline in production yields;
• Greater frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as hailstorms, floods, and heatwaves, which compromise both the quality and quantity of production;
• Shifts in seasonal cycles and crop ripening phases, causing challenges in planning agricultural activities;
• A greater spread of pests and plant diseases, driven by rising average temperatures and ecological imbalances;
• Soil erosion and loss of fertility in certain areas, exacerbated by the intensification of extreme weather events.

These results highlight that stakeholders perceive climate change as a tangible threat to their agricultural activities, underscoring the need for targeted adaptation strategies and greater support from local policymakers to effectively address this challenge.

3.4. Land Vulnerability and Adaptation Strategies

The interviewed farmers provided a varied assessment of their land’s vulnerability concerning the degradation of Terroir characteristics. A significant portion of respondents rated this issue as highly critical, emphasising how worsening environmental conditions threaten the quality and productivity of crops. Regarding the loss of UAA—usable agricultural area, the majority identified this as a serious concern for the sustainability of the quality agri-food sector. Some participants linked the decline in arable land to factors such as uncontrolled urbanisation, rural abandonment, and climate change. In terms of adaptation measures, 71.79% of respondents reported implementing strategies to counteract the impacts of climate change. Among the most commonly adopted solutions (Figure 4) were innovative agricultural techniques (40%), traditional methods (30%), and crop diversification (20%). However, some farmers expressed the need for greater attention to these issues from both local and national policymakers to more effectively address environmental challenges. When asked whether local or national institutions provide adequate support to mitigate these risks, 64.10% of participants responded negatively, highlighting a widespread perception of insufficient public intervention in assisting agricultural businesses.

3.5. Collaboration and Mitigation Strategies

Respondents perceived collaboration between producers and associations as a key strategy for addressing climate change-related challenges. A total of 82.05% believed that cooperation among farmers, local authorities, and trade associations was crucial for developing resilience and adaptation strategies. However, 17.95% expressed doubts about the effectiveness of such collaboration. When asked to identify the most essential measures to combat these issues, participants placed the highest importance on public and private funding as a means of economic support for adopting sustainable practices. Other priorities included consumer communication, improved marketing strategies, and actions to protect the territory, all of which were seen as vital for enhancing and safeguarding the agri-food sector. Regarding quality certifications (PDO, PGI, etc.), 64.10% of respondents believed these could provide economic protection against climate change risks, while 35.90% remain sceptical about their actual effectiveness. Additionally, 74.36% of farmers felt that consumers were not sufficiently informed about the importance of Terroir ecosystem characteristics in certified products, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to raise public awareness (Figure 5).

3.6. Impact of Environmental Degradation and Valorisation Strategies

The data indicate that nearly all interviewees (94.87%) believed that environmental degradation could negatively impact the reputation and economic value of certified products in their region. This underscores how producers perceive environmental degradation as a tangible threat to the quality and identity of traditional products, with potential market repercussions. Another key finding from the study concerns the role of dialogue between producers, institutions, and consumers in strengthening the certification system and mitigating environmental vulnerabilities. A total of 87.18% of respondents expressed a favourable view of this interaction, emphasising that greater cooperation can encourage the adoption of sustainable practices and enhance the recognition of local product quality. Additionally, 92.31% of participants believed that cooperatives and certification bodies play a crucial role in raising awareness among both consumers and producers regarding the risks associated with climate change. This underscores the need to strengthen dissemination and training initiatives to foster a culture of sustainability in the agri-food sector. Finally, the respondents identified a series of strategic actions to enhance the valorisation of certified products despite climate risks. The most effective measure, according to 35.90% of participants, was a call for greater promotion by institutions, followed by the need for increased funding for companies (25.64%) and awareness campaigns for both producers and consumers (17.95%). Additionally, 12.82% of respondents suggested implementing stricter regulations to protect certified products, while 7.69% proposed other specific measures (Figure 6). These findings highlight the growing awareness among agri-food sector operators of the importance of environmental protection policies and the valorisation of certified products, with strong involvement from institutions and trade associations.

4. Discussion

4.1. Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Activities

In the coming decades, the agricultural sector will face significant challenges. Among these is the need to ensure food security for a growing global population, which, according to United Nations estimates [36], could reach 10–11 billion people. At the same time, the sector must respond to an increasing demand for plant-based products while protecting biodiversity in a context of increasingly variable and unstable production conditions.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [37], the climate changes observed over the past 150 years result from increased greenhouse gas contractions, primarily due to human activities. The current level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is approximately 50% higher than pre-industrial levels (1750), and the average global temperature has risen by 1.1 °C since 1880. These changes have led to an intensification of extreme weather events, including heat waves, droughts, hailstorms, and heavy rainfall. Additionally, they have contributed to soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem disruption. Furthermore, the IPCC predicts that rising temperatures and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events will be particularly pronounced in central and southern Europe as well as in Mediterranean regions. According to the European Environment Agency [38], European agriculture could experience a 16% decline in value by 2050 due to increased drought and irregular rainfall. In Mediterranean countries, agricultural production could decrease by up to 80% by the end of the century.

Carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas driving climate change, can enhance plant growth by promoting photosynthesis and carbon assimilation. However, this benefit is largely outweighed by negative factors such as reduced water availability, rising temperatures, and the spread of new plant diseases, ultimately leading to a decline in agricultural productivity. High temperatures and water scarcity also disrupt pollination, while elevated nighttime temperatures accelerate plant respiration, reducing the net daily accumulation of biomass. As a result, maintaining stable production yields is becoming increasingly challenging. The most significant impacts of climate change on agriculture include greater variability in agricultural yields; increased spread of weeds and pathogens, complicating crop management and limiting the effectiveness of phytosanitary treatments, especially as chemical control options become more restricted; higher water demand due to rising temperatures; and reduced availability of water resources, both from declining rainfall and rising sea levels, leading to the salinisation of aquifers. These challenges will directly affect food security by compromising food accessibility, quality, and price stability.

In this study, analysis of the responses from Calabrian stakeholders confirms that climate change is perceived as a tangible threat to agriculture. The vast majority of interviewees (89.74%) reported experiencing significant impacts on their activities, particularly due to increased drought, reduced water availability, more frequent extreme weather events, the spread of new diseases, and declining soil fertility. These outcomes align with broader climate transformations that directly affect agricultural production. These findings resonate with those of Chimi et al. [39], who emphasise the importance of integrating indigenous agroecological knowledge into climate adaptation strategies. As in the Calabrian context, smallholder farmers in Cameroon perceive climate variability as a threat to their production systems and rely on traditional and diversified responses to cope with it [39]. Similarly, a study on Ethiopian farmers’ perceptions found that climate change is regarded as a serious threat [40]. In the Gimbi district, known for its high agricultural potential in the West Wellega area, recurrent droughts linked to climate change have had severe consequences. Teslić et al. (2019) examined the effects of climate change on viticulture in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, using bioclimatic indices and two RCP—Representative Concentration Pathways scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) [41].

Their findings indicate that most of the region will remain suitable for grape production between 2011 and 2040 under both scenarios. However, the study found that under the RCP8.5 scenario, the entire region could become too hot for grape cultivation by the end of the century. Dono et al. [42] conducted an in-depth analysis of the future impacts of climate change using an interdisciplinary approach that integrates climate, agriculture, livestock, and economic models [42]. Their findings indicate that intensive dairy cattle farming in Sardinia will face negative effects, including reduced milk production and quality, as well as an increased risk of cattle mortality due to high summer temperatures. This decline will result in lower net income for livestock farms. To mitigate these impacts, improved herd management—such as grouping strategies, cooling systems, feeding adjustments, and nutrition—along with the selection of more resilient animals is recommended. However, adapting to increasingly challenging climate conditions will incur additional costs related to energy, feed (including mineral and vitamin supplementation), and water resources.

Therefore, addressing these challenges and promoting adaptation requires a strategic, long-term, and context-specific vision for the future of agriculture. The vision necessitates the seamless integration of scientific insights with practical knowledge from various sources, tailored and applied across regional, national, and community contexts.

4.2. Environmental Risks for Agriculture

The findings of this study highlight the significant environmental risks that farmers perceive as threats to agricultural sustainability, particularly soil erosion, extreme weather events, and water-related hazards. These concerns align with international research on the impact of climate change on agriculture. Antwi-Agyei et al. [43] illustrate how smallholder farmers in Ghana face similar challenges, particularly the lack of adequate policy support, which hampers the adaptation of sustainable agricultural practices and limits efforts to combat soil degradation and adapt to rainfall variations [43]. Similarly, Manetti et al. [44] emphasise the negative effects of intensive pesticide use, which compromise soil health and water quality, increasing the vulnerability of agricultural systems [44]. Polo-Murcia et al. [45] demonstrate that in Colombia, optimised irrigation and fertilisation strategies can significantly enhance sustainability by improving water use efficiency and reducing nutrient loss [45]. These international studies, in line with the findings of this research, underscore the need for integrated policy management frameworks that combine innovative and traditional strategies to mitigate environmental degradation. While technological advances, such as precision agriculture, offer promising solutions for the near future, the inaction of local and national policymakers underscores the need for stronger institutional support, as highlighted in global assessments of climate adaptation in agriculture. A holistic approach that integrates scientific innovation, farmer knowledge, and regulatory flexibility is essential to enhancing resilience against increasing climate threats. Furthermore, comparisons with international studies reveal the complexity of agricultural vulnerability and the necessity for context-specific adaptation strategies. The Ghanaian case study by Antwi-Agyei et al. [43] demonstrates that despite efforts to promote CSA—climate-smart agriculture, widespread adoption remains hindered by insufficient funding, knowledge gaps, and weak institutions [43]. Similarly, in this study, 64.10% of farmers reported not feeling supported by institutions, indicating a governance deficit that mirrors global trends. Furthermore, Manetti et al. [44] highlight how the excessive use of pesticides, a common practice in large-scale agriculture, results in long-term environmental and health consequences [44]. This aligns with our findings on groundwater pollution, which 22.22% of respondents identified as a high-risk factor, underscoring the need for more sustainable input management. A particularly notable comparison emerges from the study by Polo-Murcia et al. [45], which examines the importance of efficient water and nutrient use in passion fruit cultivation in Colombia. Their research demonstrates how integrated irrigation and fertilisation strategies can significantly enhance agricultural productivity while reducing negative environmental impacts [45].

Likewise, in our study, the high level of concern for drought (41.03%) and floods (27.02%) reflects similar challenges, highlighting the critical need for effective water management to strengthen the resilience of agricultural activities. Furthermore, the agroecological techniques adopted in the Colombian study could serve as a model for application in Mediterranean regions, where aridity is becoming an increasingly critical challenge [45].

This comparative analysis highlights a crucial issue: although technological innovations, such as precision agriculture and advanced irrigation systems, offer significant solutions, their large-scale adoption is often hindered by rigid regulations and inadequate economic incentives. The experiences of countries such as France and Germany demonstrate that financial support and agricultural cooperation models can successfully promote more sustainable practices.

However, in Italy, as our findings indicate, farmers struggle to secure the institutional support necessary to implement these changes. This scenario underscores the urgency of policy reforms that integrate certification tools, economic incentives, and knowledge-sharing networks to foster more climate-resilient agriculture. In summary, the complex interplay of environmental risks, institutional constraints, and market challenges necessitates a multilevel governance approach to enhance the sustainability of the agricultural sector.

Aligning local knowledge with international best practice; fostering collaborative networks among farmers, researchers, and policymakers; and ensuring regulatory flexibility can strengthen both economic resilience and environmental sustainability. Without such concerted efforts, continued exposure to climate-related hazards will not only threaten agricultural production but also endanger food security and rural livelihoods in the long term.

4.3. How to Blend Certification and Adaptation

Considering the data collected, farmers are increasingly concerned about the overall characteristics of the Terroir, particularly in relation to the tangible effects of environmental changes [46]. These perceptions, coupled with the sense of Terroir loss, underscore the potential role of certification as an adaptation strategy to mitigate degradation and the impacts of climate change [47,48]. This aligns with broader global research on agricultural vulnerability and the loss of Terroir [49,50,51,52,53]. While this issue reflects a wider global trend, it is particularly pronounced in the Mediterranean, where climate change exacerbates existing pressures on arable land.

Regional studies on land-use change have extensively documented these challenges, particularly in Southern Europe, where unregulated urban expansion has encroached upon prime agricultural land [54,55,56,57]. At the same time, the depopulation of rural areas in Southern Italy has led to land neglect and degradation, further exacerbating soil erosion, desertification, biodiversity loss, and increased vulnerability to wildfires, which are ‘considered an alarming example’ [58]. The data suggest that farmers are proactively addressing climate risks despite gaps in policy support, underscoring a critical governance deficit, with 64.10% of farmers feeling unsupported by institutions. This perception of institutional absence appears to be a broader phenomenon in rural and vulnerable contexts. Similarly, Awazi and Tchamba [59] found that access to credit and membership in farmer organisations were positively associated with the perception of climate risks and adaptive behaviour, reinforcing our observations regarding the role of local institutions and networks in shaping adaptation capacities. Furthermore, the combination of innovative and traditional techniques—rather than a purely technocentric approach to addressing land degradation and climate change—suggests a balanced integration within the framework of agroecology, aligning with the literature that emphasises the role of local knowledge in climate adaptation [60,61]. These strategies, driven by extreme drought conditions that force farmers to adapt or risk losing certification, encompass precision agriculture, smart irrigation, and traditional soil conservation techniques, such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and organic fertilisation [47,60].

However, compared to other geographical contexts [62,63], crop diversification is not widely adopted as a primary strategy among smallholder farmers to cope with climate variability. This may indicate a lack of resources or market structures that fail to support diversification or, in the case of certified production, the rigidity of the disciplinare (procedural guidelines), which may not fully accommodate traditional resilience strategies, modern innovations, or regulatory flexibility. A parallel example comes from East Africa, where Zhao et al. [64] demonstrate that agricultural practices such as fertiliser overuse and monoculture expansion are major drivers of GHG emissions in East Africa. In contrast, the Calabrian producers in our study emphasise the value of sustainable land use, diversified production, and resource conservation, suggesting that certification schemes could help promote more climate-friendly models.

The ‘inelasticity’ of agricultural policy frameworks, perceived as a barrier to addressing climate change and degradation impacts, stems from the fact that while adaptation measures are often incorporated into national climate strategies, they are not effectively translated into tangible support mechanisms at the local level. This issue, observed in other contexts [65,66,67,68], is particularly evident in Italy [69,70]. Compared to other European systems—such as France, where financial incentives encourage farmers to adopt sustainable practices, or Germany, where cooperative farming models receive strong institutional backing [71,72]—Italy lags behind in providing effective assistance.

The findings strongly indicate a need for a more integrated policy approach, in which certification could serve as a crucial mechanism to align institutional interventions with farmers’ practical realities, thereby strengthening support for adaptation measures. Furthermore, fostering cooperative networks among farmers, research institutions, and policymakers could facilitate knowledge sharing and improve access to funding for climate-resilient agriculture. This, in turn, would enhance economic resilience and market competitiveness while ensuring compliance with certification standards. Given that quality certification is crucial for economic stability, strong institutional support is essential. Without it, farmers may struggle to maintain the required standards [73,74].

4.4. Impact of Environmental Degradation and Valorisation Strategies

As discussed in previous sections, the data collected in this study highlight producers’ significant concerns regarding the impact of environmental degradation and climate change on certified products. These concerns align with findings from other research conducted in various contexts [20,75,76]. Nearly all respondents believed that these factors jeopardised both the reputation and economic value of certified products and emphasised the importance of promoting sustainability and quality among consumers. The willingness to pay for sustainability and quality remains a highly debated issue in the literature. In practice, balancing the need for quantity, quality, and price regulation presents considerable challenges (e.g., [77,78]). This issue can be examined alongside the broader literature, which explores how environmental degradation threatens agri-food production and market competitiveness [79,80] and how consumer choices influence sustainability efforts [81,82].

In this context, the promotion and valorisation of agri-food certified products, the resilience and adaptation of local territories, and consumer awareness have been the focus of various studies, particularly in Mediterranean countries [83,84,85,86]. The selected literature highlights various strategies for enhancing products and territorial promotion. For instance, in France, the integration of smart agricultural technologies and precision farming has not only reduced environmental impacts but also provided an economic boost to certified products [87]. Similarly, in Spain’s wine and olive oil sectors, sustainability certifications have been leveraged to access international markets, demonstrating how environmentally friendly practices can enhance export potential and economic resilience [88]. First and foremost, reinforcing institutional support and policies to promote active certification within public–private partnerships [89,90] should be closely linked to the implementation of stricter environmental regulations and monitoring.

This is particularly relevant given that, despite ‘the growing number of legal instruments at international, European, and national levels, the actual enforcement of environmental laws remains insufficient, significantly undermining their effectiveness’ [91]. Additionally, financial incentives, such as subsidies and tax reductions for sustainable agricultural practices, should be integrated into these policies [92,93]. At the same time, the valorisation of local knowledge is an essential component in strengthening the connection between production and consumer awareness [94,95,96,97]. The economic burden of choosing a more sustainable option should not fall on the consumer. Since certified products already receive incentives, purchasing decisions should be based on quality rather than cost [98].

The competitive advantage of these products should therefore lie in their certification, which can be reinforced through educational and marketing campaigns that emphasise their environmental benefits. Promoting digital traceability tools, for instance, can enhance transparency and strengthen consumer trust in certification systems. As Firoozzare et al. [99] highlight, analysing consumer habits in purchasing healthy and sustainable food provides valuable insights for businesses, policymakers, and marketers to encourage healthier food consumption [99]. Addressing concerns about consumer trust and implementing strategies to enhance credibility can help overcome scepticism and increase consumers’ willingness to trust and purchase healthy products. Additionally, reasonable pricing plays a crucial role in boosting demand. Raising awareness empowers consumers to make informed dietary and purchasing decisions. When they understand the impact of their food choices on their health and well-being, they are more likely to opt for healthier options.

In sum, while this study could present some limitations in term of geographical extension and sample, its initial findings provide valuable insights into the impacts of climate change on agriculture by highlighting the interplay between environmental risks, policy gaps, and farmer resilience strategies. First, although the research is based on stakeholder perceptions—which may introduce subjective bias—this adds a valuable layer of empirical depth to the analysis. Second, since the study is limited to Calabria, its findings are not fully generalizable; broader policy conclusions would require further modelling and comparative empirical assessments.

Nevertheless, although this research focuses on climate change impacts in a specific Mediterranean region, it is clear that the challenges identified are of global relevance. Furthermore, the integration of both innovative and traditional agricultural practices as mitigation strategies underscores the need for policies that combine local knowledge with scientific innovation to strengthen resilience in agricultural systems. While regional specificities may not be directly comparable across contexts, Calabria serves as a representative example of a ‘riskscape’ that can inform similar cases—particularly in terms of potential responses to climate-related threats.

This can be achieved through enhanced awareness and coordination among all stakeholders in the high-quality agri-food chain, which is increasingly threatened by both environmental degradation and the projected impacts of ongoing climatic and meteorological changes.

5. Conclusions

Conversations with stakeholders conducted during our study highlight major environmental threats to high-quality production in Calabria [100]—a region whose agri-food specificities and associated environmental risks had already been historically categorised, notably in Benedetto Marzolla’s Atlas of Food Products (1856) and its preliminary works (1828 and 1833) [101,102].

Among the most pressing risks are soil erosion, wildfires, hydrogeological instability from flooding, declining water tables, and soil and water pollution. If left unaddressed, these threats jeopardise not only agricultural productivity but also environmental stability and food security, such as quality and Terroir [103,104]. To mitigate these risks, farmers have implemented various adaptation strategies. Common practices include controlled grazing to reduce soil erosion, increasing soil organic matter, adopting precision irrigation techniques such as micro- and subirrigation, transitioning from conventional to organic agriculture farming, and protecting riparian zones along watercourses. Additionally, efforts to enhance biodiversity—such as planting hedgerows and shrubs to create ecological niches—help provide shelter for wildlife and support environmental resilience. Despite farmers’ individual efforts, institutional support remains insufficient. At the municipal level, a lack of regulatory implementation hinders effective land management. At the regional level, delays in European funding and inadequate financial support fail to meet the sector’s real needs. Additionally, risk prevention and mitigation policies are lacking, and farmers receive limited access to crucial information [105]. Agriculture faces increasingly complex environmental challenges that demand sustainable resource management and stronger institutional commitment. While the adoption of innovative, eco-friendly practices is a vital step, ensuring the sector’s long-term resilience requires decisive political and administrative intervention [106]. Targeted policies, adequate incentives, and a comprehensive environmental risk prevention strategy are essential to safeguarding both agricultural productivity and ecological stability [107].

This analysis contributes to the literature on climate change adaptation in agriculture by highlighting the complex relationship between environmental risks, institutional shortcomings, and the resilience strategies adopted by certified agri-food producers. Addressing the first research question, the study identifies drought, water scarcity, and extreme weather events as the main climate-related threats perceived by Calabrian farmers. In response, and in line with the second and third research questions, producers are developing adaptive strategies—such as diversification, soil conservation, and the recovery of traditional practices—despite feeling largely unsupported by institutions, as 64.10% reported a lack of adequate policy support.

These findings underscore the need for multilevel governance approaches (RQ4) that integrate local knowledge and community-based solutions with broader policy frameworks and international best practice [108,109,110,111]. Importantly, producer networks and consortia emerge as key intermediaries in enabling these bottom-up adaptations. Strengthening these networks through targeted support and incentives is therefore essential to enhancing adaptive capacity.

With regard to the fifth research question, the study suggests that quality certifications (such as PDO, PGI, etc.) are not only tools for valorising local agri-food heritage but also potential levers for climate resilience—provided they are linked to environmental sustainability criteria and supported by appropriate governance mechanisms. In this sense, the promotion of certified products could offer a viable pathway for sustainable and climate-resilient food systems in vulnerable rural regions.

In conclusion, the analysed case highlights the importance of reinforcing measures to implement resilience in the regional policy of quality products in the face of climate change. Firstly, the revision of disciplinary regulations is necessary, followed by the introduction of sustainability norms to promote more sustainable agricultural practices.

It could also be crucial to enhance measures that foster cooperation among actors (including farmers, processors, distributors, and consumers) to share local knowledge and best practice. In this regard, offering educational programmes to enhance the capabilities of sector workers to address climate change appears essential. Economic support (in the form of subsidies or facilitated loans) for sustainable activities should also be provided.

Finally, measures to increase the market visibility of quality products should be implemented to make the quality and sustainability of products more recognisable, also through the creation of traceability platforms.