From 18–20 June 2025, the 14th Conference of the Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA) took place in Pisa, Italy under the theme “Reconciling competitiveness and sustainability in the agrifood system: the role of knowledge and innovation”.
Within this framework, SHOWCASE partners from National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), University of Bologna (UniBO), University of Urbino (UniUrb) and University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) contributed to a dedicated session titled:
“Bridging Agriculture and Biodiversity: Designing Effective Incentives and Managing Risk in Agri-Environmental Schemes”
The session was organised and chaired by Monserrath Lascano (University of Bologna) together with Lena Schaller (BOKU) and Stefano Targetti (UniBO). Four presentations showcased new evidence and approaches for improving agri-environmental schemes (AES):
1. Why agrochemical reduction schemes remain unattractive
CNRS and BOKU
Researchers presented experimental evidence showing that, despite only modest impacts on farm income, perceived risks and opportunity costs discourage farmers from reducing agrochemical use. The findings underline the importance of designing AES that address risk perception, particularly in high-yielding areas.
2. The role of biodiversity monitoring technologies in result-based AES
UniUrb and UniBO
This presentation highlighted how new monitoring tools, including remote sensing and automated data collection, can lower uncertainty and compliance costs in result-based AES. Using a Bayesian modelling approach, the study showed that more reliable monitoring could increase farmer enrollment and improve policy efficiency.
3. Upscaling biodiversity impacts of flower strips in Andalusian orchards
CNR and CSIC
Fieldwork in intensive stone-fruit orchards in Andalucía assessed the biodiversity benefits of introducing flower strips. When scaled to the landscape level using spatial modelling, results revealed significant increases in pollinator abundance and richness, while impacts on spiders and plants were more modest.
4. Integrating ecological and economic analyses of incentive design
UniBO, CNR and UniUrb
Building on the ecological findings from Andalusian orchards, this contribution combined biodiversity modelling with economic cost analyses. Results showed that current flat-rate AES payments do not cover farmers’ costs, therefore limiting adoption. Scenario analyses suggested that targeted or results-based payments could achieve both ecological effectiveness and economic feasibility.
Together, these four perspectives demonstrated the value of combining ecology, economics and policy analysis to design agri-environmental schemes that are both effective for biodiversity and viable for farmers.