We are talking about the difficult situation of small farmers in Puglia, the beating heart of agriculture in this region, who, despite their daily commitment, risk being left on the margins of rural development policies.
In the “International Day of Peasant Struggle“, Coldiretti Puglia has raised a significant problem: 78% of Apulian farmers, who contribute significantly to the local economy, do not find adequate support in current development strategies. These “little ones” not only cultivate the land, but are also custodians of traditions and innovators in the organic sector and in the production of products Dop And PGI.
The current rural development policy seems to ignore the varied texture of these small agricultural realities, which find themselves struggling daily not only against bad weather and market uncertainties, but also against a system that evaluates efficiency in too narrow and quantities. It is the paradox highlighted by Disclose in his recent study, commissioned by Coldiretti Puglia: a policy that does not recognize the added value of multifunctionality and eco-sustainability.
But what are the proposed solutions? Coldiretti Puglia does not limit itself to denouncing, but also suggests a change of direction that can be implemented through more agile tools, such as simplified business plans and ongoing consultancy services, which can truly support the needs of small farmers.
In view of future rural development programs, it is crucial that a real debate opens on how to structure interventions that are truly inclusive. Only in this way will it be possible to prevent the abandonment of agricultural land, especially in the most marginal areas, and guarantee a sustainable future for those small companies that are the soul of the Apulian countryside.
Coldiretti Puglia’s peasant struggle is not just a cry of alarm, but an appeal to recognize and enhance the essential role that small farmers play not only for agriculture, but for the entire socio-economic fabric of rural areas. It is a theme of justice, equity and, above all, vision for a possible and desirable future.
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Tags: Peasant struggle challenge Coldiretti Puglia Pugliapress
