The present study explores how visual and textual elements on food packaging jointly shape consumers' perceptions of product sustainability, with specific attention to the colour green and the type of environmental claim (regulation-compliant vs. vague). A national sample of 1004 Italian household food purchasers participated in a Best-Worst Scaling (BWS) evaluation. Respondents evaluated seven food categories differing in packaging colour and sustainability claims. Psychographic constructs such as environmental concern, trust in the food system, and consumer expertise were also measured to explain preference heterogeneity. Results show that green-coloured packaging systematically enhances perceived sustainability, even when claims are vague. Compliant claims are preferred overall, yet the green colour amplifies perceived environmental friendliness independently of textual accuracy. The colour effect persists across product categories but weakens or reverses for culturally emblematic products such as pasta and tomato sauce, where authenticity and familiarity shape perception. Latent class analysis revealed limited heterogeneity, suggesting that heuristic reliance on green cues is widespread rather than segment-specific. The study integrates behavioral and policy perspectives to explore how visual heuristics may limit the effectiveness of purely textual regulatory approaches in shaping consumer perceptions. Findings suggest the potential value of complementing textual regulation with behavioral instruments that account for the perceptual dimensions of sustainability communication, alongside consumer education to enhance critical interpretation of sustainability cues.

This study evaluates the impact of nitrogen recommendations provided by a Decision Support System (DSS) on soft wheat production and technical efficiency in specialized Italian cereal farms. Employing a Stochastic Frontier Analysis, the research evaluates the relationship between adherence to DSS recommendations and farm performance. The analysis relies on real farm data from the Barilla Farming platform, agrarian year 2022/2023, covering 487 farms and 1,664 fields, including suggested and actual nitrogen applications and observed yields. Findings indicate that compliance with DSS recommendations enhances productivity and efficiency, particularly for medium and large farms, whereas deviations, especially over-application, reduce efficiency with potential increase of costs and environmental risks. Notably, small farms maintain efficiency despite lower nitrogen applications, indicating the need for tailored DSS calibration. Results highlight the importance of site-specific nitrogen management strategies to optimize both economic and environmental outcomes. While promoting DSS adoption is essential, our findings suggest that ensuring farmers' compliance with DSS recommendations is equally—if not more—critical to realizing its full benefits. Policymakers and extension services should not only encourage the uptake of DSS but also focus on strategies that enhance farmers' adherence to recommended practices. Additionally, ensuring the adaptability of DSS to different farm structures is key to maximizing its impact across varying production scales.

Cite: Cappella, M. T., Nerozzi, L., Benini, M., Detti, P., & Blasi, E. (2025). Evaluating the economic and land use consequences of sustainability-driven CAP reforms: Insights from an optimization approach in Italian cereal farms. Land Use Policy, 158, 107720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2025.107720

This Volume, written by CREA researchers, analyses the different dimensions that characterise interventions to support tourism by rural development policies. It also includes contributions from the Department for Cohesion Policies (Presidency of the Council of Ministers), on tourism and SNAI, and from ISMEA on agritourism.

The forestry sector was excluded from the scope of European Agricultural Policy (CAP) until the mid-1980s, but today around 90% of the Union's funds for forests and the forestry sector come from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), dedicated to the second pillar of the CAP. Resources indispensable to give effect to national and regional forest policies. But how have these resources been used over time? This report offers a first analysis of the results obtained over the last 20 years by Italy.

The article provides an overview of the current status and development potential of agroforestry systems in Italy. It examines existing practices, regional disparities, regulatory barriers, and emerging opportunities linked to climate adaptation, biodiversity protection, and rural development policies. While adoption remains limited, the analysis highlights growing interest among farmers and policymakers and outlines the conditions needed to scale agroforestry as a viable and sustainable land-use option.