Challenges and Perspectives of Social Farming in North-Eastern Italy: The Farmers’ View

Abstract

In the European framework of multifunctional agriculture, Social Farming (SF) has constantly been spreading. In Italy, these practices are legally connected to Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI), creating new perspectives and challenges for farmers and their territories. In this paper, we report the results of a pilot study conducted in the Veneto Region to understand farmers’ opinions about the opportunities and challenges of SF and AAI. Participants were convened by the Italian farmers’ trade organization Coldiretti. All of them provide social/healthcare services on their farms, including human–animal interaction, and have attended the regional training courses for Social Farming providers. Data were collected during two focus groups that were videotaped and subsequently analyzed by two researchers to categorize and dope out relevant topics. Results show a mismatch between what is stated by national and regional laws and the current situation reported by farmers. They are faced with many economic challenges as well as barriers in their relationship with traditional healthcare services. However, farmers have a strong motivation and believe in the benefits that AAI and SF offer to society in rural and urban areas.

Management of Donkeys in Assisted Interventions: A Snapshot

“…Referential and care-related activities are proposed for both species; however, in the case of horses, riding work often plays a central role, given its motor, balance, and proprioceptive benefits. Conversely, with donkeys, ground-based relational work is typically preferred [ 7 , 11 ].…”

“…Lastly, Animal-Assisted Therapies (AATs) are highly structured individual interventions with specific therapeutic objectives [6]. Donkey-Assisted Interventions (DAIs) represent one of the possible variations of what is known as Social Farming or, in a broader sense, Greencare [7]. Their common goal is to enhance the quality of life for individuals, whether with or without vulnerabilities, through contact and care of donkeys, within a typical rural setting [8,9].…”

“Mapping Out” Sustainable Social Farming Paths in Italian Municipalities

“…It involves the use of agricultural resources for rehabilitation and social inclusion, depending on the local circumstances and the territorial specificities [3][4][5][6]. Social agriculture encapsulates a variety of responses to specific local problems and needs [7][8][9]. In general, as identified by Dalla Torre et al (2020) [10], Italian social farms are oriented towards social and healthcare services, education, work inclusion and co-therapy.…”

“…Moreover, SF is connected to a large number of issues related to rural development such as the organisation of local services, the evolution of farmers' attitudes in their relationships with local communities, the reputation of farmers, the re-organisation of the local economy and the introduction of new elements of solidarity and reciprocity [7]. The theme of multifunctional agriculture should, therefore, also be seen in terms of these lesser-known aspects.…”