© 2025 Author(s). Open access article published, except where otherwise noted, by Firenze University Press under CC-BY-4.0 License for content and CC0 1.0 Universal for metadata. Firenze University Press | www.fupress.com/bae Bio-based and Applied Economics BAE Bio-based and Applied Economics 14(2): 3-4, 2025 | e-ISSN 2280-6172 | DOI: 10.36253/bae-18640 Editorial Reflections and new directions: An editorial retrospective and the launch of our new Policy Paper section Fabio Bartolini, Silvia Coderoni Over the past two years, Bio-based and Applied Eco- nomics (BAE) has consolidated the journal role as a plat- form for rigorous and innovative research at the inter- section of economics, sustainability, agriculture, and bio- based systems. In a period marked by significant global transitions, ranging from climate change and biodiver- sity loss to disruptive technological shifts and geopoliti- cal instabilities, our community of scholars has provided crucial insights into how bio-based economies can adapt, evolve, and contribute to sustainable development. As a result of this commitment, we also received two important recognitions of the quality of the works pub- lished by the journal: BAE is now ranked Q1 in several subject categories and has been included in the list of “class A” journals for economics and political economy scientific sectors in Italy. This editorial aims to offer both a retrospective overview of the journal’s main contributions over the last two years and a prospective look at new directions. Since our appointment as Editors in Chief, BAE has hosted a rich variety of contributions, spanning theo- retical analyses, empirical applications, and interdiscipli- nary approaches. Among the most recurring themes we want to mention: 1. Sustainability and Agricultural Economics – Numerous papers have examined how farming sys- tems can balance productivity with ecological stew- ardship. Topics such as agroecological transitions, carbon farming, and sustainable business models have been central. 2. Circular and Bio-based Economies – Research has increasingly focused on the transition towards circular models, with attention to waste valorisation, renewable bio-resources, and innovations in supply chains. 3. Technological Innovation and Agriculture 4.0 – Several studies have addressed the adoption and socio-economic impacts of precision agriculture, digitalisation, and smart farming technologies, espe- cially in Mediterranean and European contexts. 4. Food Systems and Consumer Behaviour – The journal has published relevant work on the trans- formation of food systems, including consumer atti- tudes towards sustainability labels, alternative pro- teins, and value chain governance. 5. Climate and Resource Economics – Contributions have deepened our understanding of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, the economics of soil and water management, and policy instru- ments to support resilience. 6. Trade and Food Security – contribution on inves- tigating how the evolving trade dynamics, supply chain vulnerabilities, and geopolitical tensions shape the capacity of agri-food systems to ensure availabil- ity, accessibility, and stability of food supplies, with particular attention to both global interdependencies and local resilience. 7. Agricultural and Rural Development Policies –con- tributions have emphasised the role of agricultural and rural development policies in balancing productivity and sustainability, and supporting farmers’ livelihoods within the broader transformation of rural areas. Collectively, these research lines illustrate the breadth and relevance of BAE’s mission: fostering knowledge that bridges economic science with pressing societal challenges. Beyond thematic contributions, BAE has also been a space for methodological innovation. Authors have employed diverse approaches, from advanced econo- metric models to participatory scenario building, from experimental economics to multi-criteria decision analy- ses. These methods have enriched our ability to capture the complexity of bio-based and agricultural systems. Equally important has been the increasing interna- tionalisation of the journal. In the past two years, BAE has attracted submissions from across Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa, reflecting the global relevance of bio-based transitions. The diversity of contexts-from European Union policy frameworks to local farm- https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode https://www.fupress.com/bae https://doi.org/10.36253/bae-18640 4 Bio-based and Applied Economics 14(2): 3-4, 2025 | e-ISSN 2280-6172 | DOI: 10.36253/bae-18640 Fabio Bartolini, Silvia Coderoni ing practices in emerging economies-has offered fertile ground for comparative analysis and cross-learning. The growing engagement of early-career researchers has further expanded the vibrancy of our community. Their contributions, often interdisciplinary and problem-oriented, have underscored the evolving character of applied econom- ics in addressing twenty-first-century challenges. INTRODUCING THE NEW POLICY PAPER SECTION IN BIO-BASED AND APPLIED ECONOMICS The global challenges surrounding climate change, biodiversity loss, food security, and sustainable rural development have increasingly highlighted the need for a stronger dialogue between academic research and poli- cymaking. BAE has traditionally provided a platform for scholarly contributions that advance our understanding of agricultural, food, resource, and environmental eco- nomics. As these fields continue to expand and evolve, also the channels through which research is communi- cated, interpreted, and applied should. With this issue, we are pleased to launch a new sec- tion of the journal dedicated to Policy Papers. This section is designed to bridge the gap between academic research and policy relevance, offering a space for concise, rigorous, and practice-oriented contributions that speak directly to current policy debates. The section will provide a venue for evidence-based, timely, and practice-oriented analyses with direct implications for decision-making. While traditional research articles remain the back- bone of scholarly communication, their structure and orientation often limit their accessibility to policymakers, practitioners, and wider stakeholders. Policy Papers pro- vide a complementary format, explicitly tailored to high- light the implications of economic research for policy design and evaluation. They aim not only to report find- ings, but also to translate them into actionable insights that can inform real-world decision-making processes. The agricultural and bio-based sectors are at the forefront of major societal transitions: the decarbonisa- tion of economies, the digitalisation of production sys- tems, the sustainable management of natural resources, and the pursuit of food system resilience. In all these areas, evidence-based policy support is indispensable. Policy Papers published in BAE will provide an oppor- tunity for researchers to directly engage with these pressing challenges, while ensuring that scientific rigour remains the foundation of the journal’s reputation. Scope and characteristics Policy Papers are expected to be shorter than research articles, typically ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 words, and should prioritise clarity, accessibility, and rel- evance over technical detail. While empirical evidence and methodological robustness are valued, the primary focus lies in the articulation of policy problems, the syn- thesis of available evidence, and the identification of fea- sible policy options. Submissions may take different forms, including: – Policy analyses, which assess the effectiveness of existing policies and highlight opportunities for reform. – Evidence syntheses, which bring together insights from multiple studies to inform ongoing policy debates. – Forward-looking perspectives, which explore new policy challenges emerging from technological, envi- ronmental, or social transitions. – Comparative evaluations, which examine how differ- ent policy approaches perform across contexts and jurisdictions. By launching the Policy Paper section, Bio-based and Applied Economics reinforces its mission of sup- porting both academic excellence and societal impact. We view this initiative as a contribution to a broader knowledge exchange ecosystem, in which researchers, decision-makers, and practitioners engage in a produc- tive dialogue. Our aim is to stimulate a culture of evi- dence-informed policymaking, grounded in applied eco- nomics but open to interdisciplinary collaboration. We hope that our readership will find in the Policy Paper section a source of inspiration, practical knowl- edge, and critical reflection on the directions of agricul- tural, environmental, and bio-based policy. In establishing this new section, we reaffirm the belief that research must not remain confined to aca- demic circles but must actively contribute to shaping a more sustainable, fair, and resilient future. The Policy Paper initiative represents a concrete step in this direc- tion, and we look forward to the contributions and debates it will generate in the coming years. The first paper of the section is published in this same issue and is the synthesis of the study day, which took place in Rome on 3rd April 2025, when more than twenty researchers have discussed the relevance and the implications of the Commission’s Communication A Vision for Agriculture and Food” for Italy (Arfini et al., 2025). As we look back with pride at the journal’s recent trajectory and forward with ambition, we remain grate- ful to our authors, reviewers, and readers. Their dedica- tion and engagement are the pillars of BAE’s success. We invite the community to embrace this new phase, con- tributing not only new research but also impactful policy insights for a sustainable bio-based future. https://doi.org/10.36253/bae-18640 Reflections and new directions: An editorial retrospective and the launch of our new Policy Paper section Silvia Coderoni, Fabio Bartolini Where is the Italian agriculture heading? A discussion in light of the prospects for the future CAP Filippo Arfini1*, Fabio Bartolini2, Anna Carbone3, Tatiana Castellotti4, Silvia Coderoni5, Raffaele Cortignani6, Raffaele D’Annolfo4, Giovanni Dara Guccione4, Michele Donati1, Francesca Galli7, Roberto Henke4, Giampiero Mazzocchi4, Alessandro Monteleone4, Towards the knowledge and innovation system for the bioeconomy? Giacomo Maria Rinaldi*, Davide Viaggi Impact of weather variability on crop yields and land use dynamics in Eastern India: Short- and long-term effects Pratap Kumar Jena1, Kirtti Ranjan Paltasingh2, Souryabrata Mohapatra3,,*, Ashok Mishra4 Rebuilding strategies for food self-sufficiency: Portugal’s past patterns and future ambitions Alexandre Macedo João1, Dulce Freire2, Humberto Rocha3, Joana Dias4 From subsidy to land rent: how production-linked payments shape factor remuneration in agriculture Adrian Sadłowski Expenditure allocation for Rural Development interventions: main trends and patterns in the choices of the Italian Regions under the CAP 2023-2027 Tobia Minuzzo, Francesco Pagliacci*