The Adoption of Landraces of Durum Wheat in Sicilian Organic Cereal Farming Analysed Using a System Dynamics Approach

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The article, The Adoption of Landraces of Durum Wheat in Sicilian Organic Cereal Farming Analysed Using a System Dynamics, provides a useful and important case study contribution to the literature on profit drivers influencing adoption of cereal cropping.

I have a few minor comments and issues below for the authors’ and the editor of Agronomy to consider. My main concern is with the introduction. Otherwise, the paper presents solid research questions and a solid case study approach.

The introduction needs more work, including a good copy edit, to provide more clarity and a greater focus on the paper’s motivation and its contributions to the literature. At present, the motivations are too spread and too vague.

Line 32 suggests that developed countries are undergoing change due to several factors including ‘food security’. I would suggest that food security (and even more nutrition security) are driving changes in global food value chains, but not really so much food security in developed countries. Reading the two references linked to this statement, I did not find food security. And references 3, 4, and 5 are addressing food security and biosecurity, but not in the context of the individual developed country cases. It may be more useful to rephrase away from developed countries and substitute, Globally, agricultural production is undergoing…….

The reconciliation mentioned line 38 seems better to mention key actors along the food value chain. This might focus the paper better towards its discussion and conclusions on the drivers influencing regional landrace systems in the analysis and presented in Table 2. The market chain, the regulatory environment and how information is generated, spread and adopted.

What is meant or what is the difference between traditional crops, line 44 vs modern cultivars line 75? Does traditional refer to the ‘traditional mix of crops grown and modern refer to the variety? A bit confusing, best to qualify.

The first research question about the drivers of spreading and enhancement of the above-mentioned varieties. Are these the best words to use in the existing literature? Is spreading the same as adopting (the widely used verb in the literature over the past five decades). Is this about spreading or expanding the adoption? And enhancement of what in the context of the research question? Enhancement of the resilience or the qualities or management practices of the Sicilian durum landraces? While the meaning do become clearer later in the article, it is important for the introduction and research questions to be clear and well understood by a broader audience.

I would suggest the authors give a short and direct answer to each of these RQs in the Discussion Section.

A few specific suggestions for consideration.

Line 57, change ‘first’ to largest area among regions?

Line 77, Today not nowadays.

Unclear what is meant by ‘key factors’ line 304, organic farming and certified seed availability are the most relevant key factors on which landraces production system is based. Does key factors mean the necessary practices?  Certified seeds availability sounds like a limitation to landrace production system vs a necessary part of the production system. Are they unable to obtain certified seeds?

Probably need to cite evidence for the higher health statement (line 306).

Should line line 311 include ‘traceability’?

Unsure of the statement, line 346, As far as the authors know, this would be among the first scientific studies in economic field focused on conservation varieties in the literature concerning Italian organic farming. This statement is too specific and not needed in any case. I would suggest that to something like, ‘this study makes an important contribution to the relatively limited research on conservation varieties and organic farming in Italy.

Author Response

Thank you for your revision and suggestions.

Kindest regards

Giovanni Dara Guccione

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

I find the article to significant in deepening the debate around enhancement of functional agrobiodiversity. 

The authors have gone along way to present a sound motivation, methodology and good findings. 

I would suggest the following improvements: 

1. A proper description of how the sampling was carried out. As it were now, it is difficult to identify how the sampled farms and other staeholders were identified.
2. The study has the following research questions: What are the main drivers which affect the spreading and enhancement of the above-mentioned (durum) varieties? How do these drivers interact each other in influencing farm profitability? Does the return to the Sicilian “ancient varieties” of durum wheat represent a win-win strategy to meet the needs of local farmers, as well as of biodiversity conservation? I suggest that the results and discussion section be organized around these themes (as sub headings). The current presentation is not informative ... for example the results in in 3.1 Case study: the Simenza Association - does not provide a clear understanding of what exactly is being described. Same as in section 3.2 Case study: Causal loop diagram ... it would be better to provide answers to the three question in three clear subsections. 
3. I highly suggest that a clear conclusion section be presented separate from discussion section.  

Author Response

Thank you for your revision and suggestions.

Kindest regards

Giovanni Dara Guccione

Author Response File: Author Response.docx