Small Farms in Italy: What Is Their Impact on the Sustainability of Rural Areas?

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

1. This paper uses principal component analysis and multiple linear regression analysis to discuss the sustainability of Italian small farms. The data source is "Farm Accountancy Data Network; FADN", which is the only database related to agriculture.

2. Line 18. What is the basis for the definition of a small farm as "standardized output less than 25,000 euros"?

3. Line 24-27. The farm net income in Italy is higher in the northern region than in the southern region. What is the basis?

4. Variables in Table 3 are missing descriptions.

5. Variables in Table 5 lack descriptions.

6. How can the results of principal component analysis in Table 3 be applied to the multiple linear regression analysis in Table 5?

7. How does the multiple linear regression analysis of farm net income correlate with farm sustainability?

 

Author Response

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Reviewer 2 Report

In the Article „Small farms in Italy: which is their impact on the sustainability of rural areas?” the Authors analyzed the role that small farms play for the preservation of the territory and for the economic development of local rural areas. The structural characteristics of small farms were defined, as well as the economic and financial situation. The analysis is performed through the Italian FADN data for the years 2018-2020 and using a set of structural and economic-financial indicators.

The article is an interesting study that fits in with current research trends related to rural areas.

The article is properly structured, containing all the elements that a good scientific article should contain.

I have only minor comments, the inclusion of which may enhance the quality of the article:

1 I miss the discussion of the results obtained, especially relative to other such studies conducted both in Italy and in other countries around the world. Adding such a discussion will also immediately improve another element - too few references. Additional references could also appear in the Introduction, where I suggest the authors refer to international publications on the issues analyzed.

2. What I miss is a map showing the area under study. A minimal addition would be a drawing showing the division of Italy into the studied Districts. Cartograms showing the spatial distribution of the results obtained would also be an interesting addition. This is nothing complicated, any GIS program allows it, and the results currently presented in the form of diagrams, would be much more attractive.

Please add units [ha, Euro, %] in the tables, not all data is evident.

After considering the above comments, I recommend the article for publication.

Author Response

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Reviewer 3 Report

1. It is a very interesting topic to study the impact of small farms in Italy on the sustainability of rural areas.

2. In the "Abstract" part, it is suggested to make a complete presentation according to the research purpose and significance, data sources, research methods, research results and conclusions.

3. The "Introduction" part, after all, as a commercial behavior, how to coordinate and balance the contradictions between small farms, agricultural modernization and low agricultural comparative benefits, so as to obtain stable economic benefits is the key to its sustainable development.

4. It is suggested to add "Discussion". Based on the existing research results and existing research literature, analyze, discuss and extrapolate 2-3 topics to put forward the basis for the research conclusion.

5. " Conclusion" should be a conclusion of general significance based on the case study. Suggestions to deepen.

6. It is also suggested to supplement the research deficiencies and further research directions.

7. Check text and grammar.

Author Response

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Reviewer 4 Report

Article review : Small farms in Italy: which is their impact on the sustainability  of rural areas?

The authors indicated the main objective of the study in lines 107-110. They wrote :

“While small farms make an important contribution to the agricultural sector and the food system, their potential may not be used optimally, so the overall goal is to help document and better understand their role played by small farms in the Italian agricultural and food system”.

Indeed, the role of small farms in rural development has been emphasized for some time.

 The authors also point out the role of these farms in Italy. The article is well written, the stages of the implementation of the study are described in detail , the authors repeatedly refer to the rich thematic literature as well as to the EU policy in this area. The analysis was carried out on the basis of the collected FADN data for the years 2018-2020 for Italy, In the analysis was performed simple analysis yak and complex analysis based on OLS regression model.  Previously, variables were rebuilt in principal component analysis (PCA). 

The article is supplemented with a number of drawings that allow a better reading of the results obtained The article has a correct structure. In order to make the article more attractive, I recommend.

1) Please add a map of the study area especially by the analyzed regions of Italy and briefly characterize the study area.  

2) Reading the article I noticed some repetition , is it necessary

Line 133-136

„The information used for the analysis proposed here is taken from the database of  the  Farm  Accountancy  Data  Network  (FADN)  which,  at  present,  represents  the  only  source of data at farm level on structures, production, and economic results, as well as a  range of infor-mation that goes beyond primary production”.  

 Line 117-119

The information necessary to carry out the aforementioned analysis will be obtained from  

the database of the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) which represents the only  source of data at farms level on structures, production and economic results, as well as a  

series of information that they go beyond primary production.

3) I am missing from 2-3 sentences about the variables obtained in the principal component analysis (PCA)- Section 3.3

4) Also lacks information in what software the analyses were performed.

Overall the article is correct , recommends its publication.

Author Response

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