XXXVII CICLO | Angeloni Annalisa

Accomplished, motivated and versatile person with focus on Agri-food policies. Sound technical knowledge and skills in agriculture politic evaluation. Sound knowledge of European government administrative systems and procedures. I’ve been working as a researcher at Centre for Policies and Bioeconomy of the National Council for Agricultural research and economics for the last 14 years.

Title

“Biofertilizers, circular economy and short supply chain in rural communities. A comparison between the case of Friuli Venezia Giulia and that of Flanders”

Abstract

The general objective of interest of my research is to implement circular chains of bio-based nutrient valorisation, paying particular attention to the residues of the fruit and vegetable agri-food system. With reference to the research methods, Business Model – Agent Based (ABM) will be developed for the two case studies (Macal and North, 2010). The methodology is based on the need to link the ecological-environmental system to the economic system and to set the conditions for a subsequent assessment of the impacts of decisions and policies (Hare and Deadman 2004; Matthews et al. 2007). The heterogeneity of the agents involved in the economic system will therefore be analysed by means of models that are able to integrate the ecological component, to capture the characteristics of the actors and the relationships between them. In particular, these models, based on a bottom-up approach, will consider the interactions of the individual actors in the system (Grimm, 1999; Grimm et al., 2006; Marceau, 2008). 

Keywords

multi-actor network, agriculture, market solutions, stakeholders, agri-food system, business model

JEL code

Q1; Q13; Q57

Introduction 

The general objective of interest of my research is to implement circular chains of bio-based nutrient valorisation, paying particular attention to the residues of the fruit and vegetable agri-food system. With reference to the research methods, Business Model – Agent Based (ABM) will be developed for the two case studies (Macal and North, 2010). The methodology is based on the need to link the ecological-environmental system to the economic system and to set the conditions for a subsequent assessment of the impacts of decisions and policies (Hare and Deadman 2004; Matthews et al. 2007). The heterogeneity of the agents involved in the economic system will therefore be analysed by means of models that are able to integrate the ecological component, to capture the characteristics of the actors and the relationships between them. In particular, these models, based on a bottom-up approach, will consider the interactions of the individual actors in the system (Grimm, 1999; Grimm et al., 2006; Marceau, 2008). 

Methodology

In general, a cooperative approach for multidisciplinary projects is of high relevance as it extends the benefits from individual levels to more of a collective level, which could serve ongoing research and development processes. Therefore, a diverse group of stakeholders is needed to closely cooperate throughout the whole research project period while focusing on real problems or opportunities that end users are facing. Ideally, the diversity of participating stakeholders provides knowledge complementarities at both scientific and practical levels (LIAISON-H2020, 2018).  

The project will use a multi-actor approach, considering the knowledge and experience of different stakeholders to co-create socio-economic and technological knowledge that will contribute to the definition of ABMs at regional level. 

Methodology in brief

• Business Model – Agent Based (ABM) will be developed for the two case studies (Macal and North, 2010) 
• To create a linkage between the ecological-environmental system and the economic system 
• To set the conditions for a subsequent assessment of the impacts of decisions and policies (Hare and Deadman 2004; Matthews et al. 2007)
• The expected models, based on a bottom-up approach, will consider the interactions of the individual actors in the system (Grimm, 1999; Grimm et al., 2006; Marceau, 2008)
• To use a multi-actor approach to co-create socio-economic and technological knowledge finalized to the definition of ABMs at selected regional level

Results

In the study of market solutions, the project aims to involve relevant stakeholders at each stage of the research progress in order to ensure the development of marketable end-products for the fruit and vegetable sector with a high replication potential also for other agricultural sectors.  

Main challenges of my proposal are:

• to describe the state of art of multi-actor network theme behind a literature review;
• to consider multi-actor network as a data provider, both for the technological work and for the work related to the socio-economic topics;
• to develop multi-actor business models for the valorisation of the regional fruit and vegetable waste streams tailor made for 2 regional case studies: Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Flanders.

Discussion

The main goal of setting up regional multi-actor networks of my proposal is to help the regions co-develop practical circular bio-based business models that allow them to implement the optimal cascade of the technologies, given their local conditions and their waste streams available. These networks can also create other possibilities, for example, to have a stronger voice in political decision-making.  

The relevance of the question and the expected contribution of originality of the research are:

• Research and adapt viable and feasible technical solutions to convert organic waste from the fruit and vegetable sector into high-quality biofertilizers (bio-based fertilizers) to meet the needs of modern agriculture.
• Building a Circular Business Model that can be replicated into European regional complexities.
• Testing the regional model of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Flanders Regions.