"There are great opportunities for agriculture in this historical phase, but operators risk being squeezed by a system that is larger than them," stated Gianluca Bagnara (economist, member of Copa-Cogeca and Fao for the working group on soil biodiversity) on Thursday 24 October during the "Is there still hope for agriculture in Romagna" conference held in Longiano (Forlì-Cesena) and organised by the 'Siamo Longiano' group.
"Large investment funds are almost obliged to look to agriculture, because every choice they make must be accompanied by 'green' policies to protect the environment, so they often buy land or enter into agricultural companies. But this does not mean that the returns for farmers are always positive."
The biggest obstacle in the agricultural world lies in the average age of farmers. "Only 10% are under 40 years old, and this affects the whole system. Moreover, in the last 10 years, Italian agriculture (independent research data) has lost 1% productivity every year, with a peak of 2% in 2023. By now the problem is no longer selling, but rather producing."
This is a total paradigm shift compared to a few years ago, when there was talk of contributions for uprootings, for the withdrawal of surpluses, and for the market. "These contributions have only created distortions, feeding a parallel universe of those who live off practices, but they have certainly not been useful for companies. Producing, selling, controlling costs: this is the only way a company can survive. Never aim for contributions."
In front of an audience about thirty agricultural entrepreneurs, there was also a discussion with some testimonials. Andrea Farabegoli, 33 years old, produces stone fruit on 9 hectares. "We market it on our own, and we focus on varieties with a good flavour. Harvesting at the right time is pivotal, because only then will consumers appreciate the fruit and buy it again. Prices have been good this year, but we always have to deal with production costs and with the weather."
Left to right: Andrea Farabegoli, Pierluca Turchi, Gianluca Bagnara, Matteo Pieri, Orazio Strada
Another testimony came from Matteo Pieri, who cultivates three hectares of cherry trees in the hills and is a member of Aproccc (the Cesena hills cherry producer association): "Producing is increasingly difficult. This year the market has paid quite well, but we go to war without weapons every day, and the enemies are Drosophila suzukii, the Asian bug, and other various diseases."
On the active ingredient front, Orazio Strada, a technician boasting extensive experience, explained how his father set up a technical means business in the village of Calisese (Forlì-Cesena) in 1955. "It is inconceivable for the European Union to eliminate active ingredients without first giving farms the chance to use valid alternatives. Unfortunately, also because of these choices and market distortions, our territory is being increasingly abandoned. We have seen one of the consequences recently with the various floods, as a land without farmers is more fragile."
Together with Pierluca Turchi (owner of an oil mill founded in 1450), Orazio Strada has created a group that gathers about local 600 farmers ,with continuous updates and technical advice on olive cultivation, one of the few crops that is increasing in hectares both in the hills and on the plains.