Title: Understanding limits to data informative power for sustainable food policies in transition and post-transition countries

Authors: Mariantonietta Fiore; Irene Monasterolo; Aled Jones; Francesco Contò

Addresses: Department of Economics, University of Foggia, Largo Papa Giovanni Paolo II, 1 71121, Foggia, Italy ' The Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future, Boston University, 67 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215, USA ' Global Sustainability Institute, Anglia Ruskin University, Coslett 309, Cambridge, UK ' Department of Economics, University of Foggia, Largo Papa Giovanni Paolo II, 1 71121, Foggia, Italy

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to investigate the agri-environmental sustainability whereas statistical improvements provide a considerable backbone for understanding the three E's balance rule, environment, equity, economy. Then, access data to key resources such as food and water are still not fully available and comparable between countries. This opens several questions in terms of what kind of policy measures we effectively need and where to support climate smart agriculture and build resilience to climate change. By analysing food data, we identify gaps and bottlenecks which may affect the understanding of the magnitude of the food security challenge. We study a post-transition country, Serbia, chosen for the relevance of the agricultural sector on the living conditions of rural population, and the opportunities for the transition to sustainable farming and food production. Finally, we give insights for optimisation of the use of statistical info by highlighting informative power and limits of available statistical sources.

Keywords: agribusiness; food security; data quality; data availability; policy making; post-transition economies; sustainable food policies; transition economies; sustainability; sustainable development; climate change; food data analysis; Serbia; living conditions; rural communities; sustainable farming; sustainable agriculture.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGSB.2015.072694

International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, 2015 Vol.7 No.3/4, pp.300 - 317

Received: 27 Feb 2015
Accepted: 28 Jul 2015
Published online: 24 Oct 2015 *

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