Sustainability and inclusiveness”. These are – according to Mattia Biondi, coordinator of the regional Work and Business table of Italia Viva – the main factors that emerged from the Macfrut fair which ended a few days ago in Rimini.
“In particular – explains Biondi – this year there was a lot of talk about the ‘Mattei Plan’ for local agriculture in which Romagna appears to be at the forefront in terms of cooperatives and technological innovations. Unfortunately, however, the spaces at the Cesena fair would not be sufficient to accommodate the operators”.
“Macfrut recorded attendance from all over the world – explains the representative of Italia Viva – there were many opportunities for the countries involved, in particular for the African states, rich in raw materials but with the need to develop know-how. For this reason they represent a great opportunity for our agricultural businesses too. But, as usual, to seize the opportunities, a widespread involvement of companies is needed in the various control rooms and, for this reason, it is necessary to adapt the rules for development in Africa by providing for tax simplification and standardization of regulations. Cesena can also make its contribution and become a strategic player but, as always, all decisions must be taken together with agricultural producers and therefore together with our Agricultural Council which must direct expenses going well beyond its ordinary consultative tasks. The public system will have to take care of the rest, whose support will be fundamental if we want to grow internationally. But – according to Biondi – a change of method is also needed, focusing on the creation of provincial centers for the production of local fruit varieties, on the creation of knowledge transfer and promotion centers and on realities that support female leadership in decision-making processes”.
But every change cannot be decontextualized from the scenario: “Financial support for development – continues Biondi – remains fundamental. Instead, we are witnessing an inexorable banking desertification: in the province of Forlì-Cesena, from 329 branches in 2013, the number has gone down to 197 at the end of 2023. Furthermore, based on the latest data from the Bank of Italy, at the end of 2023 in the province of Forli-Cesena , loans granted to businesses fell by 8.1%. In the medium to long term, public but also private associations and consultancy services, which can mediate between companies and banks, will therefore be increasingly important. A topic on which to start working immediately, also as an opportunity – concludes Biondi – to prevent it from turning into a problem to be solved in the coming years”.
