Underutilized Crops for Diversified Agri-Food Systems: Spatial Modeling and Farmer Adoption of Buckwheat in Italy

Marta Verza ^1* Luca Camanzi ¹ Luca Mulazzani ¹ Antonio Giampaolo ² Santiago Rodriguez ³ Giulio Malorgio ¹ Konstadinos Mattas ⁴

• ¹ University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
• ² Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economy Analysis | CREA, Rome, Lazio, Italy
• ³ Idener (Spain), Seville, Spain
• ⁴ Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece

The widespread standardization of agri-food systems through monoculture practices has resulted in biodiversity loss and reduced ecosystem resilience. Incorporating underutilized crops such as buckwheat into crop rotations offers a viable strategy to enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, and foster more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems. This study examines the potential adoption of buckwheat in Italy using a spatial agent-based model that simulates farmers’ decision-making based on profit maximization and peer influence. The study evaluates two diffusion scenarios (traditional and expansion) alongside two levels of willingness to adopt (high and low), comparing the profitability of traditional crop rotations with rotations that include buckwheat across nine Italian regions. Results suggest that while increased contract prices can incentivize buckwheat adoption, financial incentives alone are insufficient to generate widespread adoption, particularly when the willingness to adopt is low. Peer influence and intrinsic motivation emerge as key drivers, highlighting the need for strategies beyond monetary incentives. Policies should combine financial support with initiatives that foster knowledge-sharing, educational outreach, and improved supply chain integration. The study offers a framework for evaluating the adoption of other underutilized crops and highlights the need for further research on risk aversion, environmental variability, and broader supply chain interactions to refine adoption strategies.