A delegation of the European Council of Young Farmers (Ceja) spent three days (9-11 April) in Romagna, on the invitation and organisation of Ceja Vice-President Matteo Pagliarani, who runs his family farm in Mercato Saraceno (Forlì-Cesena). The Ceja Council represents 2 million young farmers throughout Europe.
© Cristiano Riciputi | FreshPlaza.comMatteo Pagliarani
Over 50 delegates from 13 European countries met to debate the topic of a rational use of water in agriculture. On Thursday 10 April, a soiree was held at the Pagliarani family's 'La Clorofilla' farmhouse. Leading the delegation, in addition to 'host' Pagliarani, were president Peter Meedendorp (Netherlands) and councillor Elisabeth Hidén (Sweden).
© Cristiano Riciputi | FreshPlaza.comLeft to right: Matteo Pagliarani (Italy), Elisabeth Hidén (Sweden), and Peter Meedendorp (Netherlands)
"I am very pleased that such a large group of young farmers accepted the invitation and came to Romagna. We visited facilities that make water saving and proper management a daily reality, such as the Acquacampus of Canale Emiliano Romagnolo and a water pumping area of the Land Reclamation Consortium. As for businesses, we visited Orogel and Apofruit," explains Pagliarani.
The evening was also attended by the top management of CIA, the association of which La Clorofilla is a member: national president Cristiano Fini, regional president Stefano Francia, Agia Giovani agricoltori Emilia Romagna president Martina Codeluppi and Agia Abruzzo president Enrico Valentini attended.
© Cristiano Riciputi | FreshPlaza.comAt the centre: Cristiano Fini, CIA national president
"The theme of rural hills and mountain areas is also at the centre of attention, and that is why I chose to have our guests stay in local facilities, some of which are quite far apart, with the related logistical problems. I wanted to make my European colleagues understand what it means to live and be farmers in hilly areas."
President Meedendorp emphasised that only young people can contribute to an improvement in agriculture and increase public attention to real problems. Meedendorp's family farm manages over 300 hectares cultivated mostly with potatoes, onions and vegetables in the north of the Netherlands.
© Cristiano Riciputi | FreshPlaza.comPart of the delegation of young European farmers
As for fruit, Pagliarani grows a cherry orchard (Corniola variety), which is supplementary to extensive cultivation, and a multifunctional farm. In addition, he independently produces all the vegetables needed for the family farm. His farm covers a total of 180 hectares. "I have been a member of the European Youth Council since 2022, and over the years, I have realised that our role is very important to suggest ways forward to the Commission. And there are many issues to be addressed: risk management, water use, cutting back on pesticides, reciprocity between the European Union and other nations, packaging."
"On the day the British King Charles III visited Ravenna, the world of agriculture also had an event of international standing," concludes Pagliarani.