The impact of climate change on land productivity. A micro-level assessment for Italian farms

CONTEXT: Both long-term climate trend and interannual climate variability are projected to affect agricultural activities. Actually, major changes in climate patterns have already occurred, affecting crop yields and livestock productivity. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the effects of both interannual temperature and precipitation variability and long-term climate trend on the land productivity of Italian farms. Italy represents an interesting example, as the country is largely affected by the effects of climate change and climate variability, and its agricultural sector shows heterogeneous conditions, including climatic, topographical and socio-economic features. METHODS: The methodological approach considers the effects on land productivity of a set of farm structural and economic characteristics and climate-related variables, by considering farm-level data. A dynamic panel model is estimated via System Generalized Method-of-Moments using a constant panel of 2051 farms observed...