Sustainability assessment of blood orange production in sicily through the application of the SAFA framework

The Sicilian blood orange, a Protected Geographical Indication product, represents a significant production sector for the Sicilian territory. In this context, the objective of this paper was to conduct a sustainability assessment comparing the organic and the conventional production systems with the aim to identify their respective strengths and weaknesses. In order to achieve this objective, the Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture systems (SAFA), a framework developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2012 for the evaluation of sustainability across the agri-food value chain, was employed. No notable differences were identified between the organic and conventional production systems, although the organic farms demonstrated a better performance in the environmental dimension. This initial approach to the sustainability assessment of the Sicilian blood orange PGI ( Protected Geographical Indication ) represents a valuable foundation for promoting Sicilian blood oranges as a high-quality product, associated with the commitment to sustainable production. In evaluating the potential of the SAFA for sustainability assessment, this framework, with its holistic approach, offers a valuable tool for understanding the multifaceted aspects of sustainability. Indeed, this assessment enabled the formulation of recommendations for the enhancement of the overall sustainability performance of the citrus farms. However, the SAFA framework appears too complex to measure the sustainability performances of small and medium-sized farms, particularly with regard to the collection of quantitative data. Accordingly, certain adaptations were always required to more accurately assess this particular context. • The SAFA framework provides a first approach to assessing the sustainability of the Sicilian citrus sector. • Blood orange is a high-quality product for the Sicilian area, with a satisfactory sustainability performance. • Sicilian citrus farms, whether organic or conventional, have made a concrete commitment to sustainability.