Agriculture in South Tyrol focuses on family farms, the environment and research – Chronicle

by time news

BOLZANO. Restore consensus between agriculture and society and lay the foundations for future-oriented measures for sustainable agriculture. This is the declared objective of the Strategic Plan for the future of agriculture in South Tyrol presented by the provincial councilor Arnold Schuler at Palazzo Widmann.

These are the main lines indicated in the plan:

  1. Support for family farms: to preserve what represents a specificity of our territory. South Tyrol must continue to be, in the future too, the territory par excellence of family-run farms.
  1. Balance between ecosystem and climate: to be able to live and produce in a healthy environment. Also in the future, South Tyrol will have to be the territory par excellence of biodiversity, characterized by clean waters and fertile soils.
  1. Strengthening research: to ensure that solid scientific knowledge is the basis of our activities. South Tyrol will have to become the center of research on mountain agriculture.

Finally, the plan provides for a new orientation to subsidies:

in the next few years they will be increasingly linked to environmental interventions.

The strategy is primarily aimed at farmers, because Schuler explains: “If we want to keep our family farms, we not only have to take change into account, but we must also actively contribute to defining it.” The project can only be implemented, according to Schuler, if society is clear about the role that agriculture intends to play in the future.

On the one hand, citizens have high expectations of agriculture, on the other hand too the population must be made responsible and involved with their daily behavior in the definition of sustainable agriculture. “Farmers and citizens must take another step towards each other. Social consideration must be strengthened towards peasants who carry out a very important and responsible job ”, said Schuler.

The product brochure contains specific information for the actions to be taken over the next ten years and analyzes the three sectors of fruit and vegetables, wine and dairy. Six sectors are also analyzed in which changes are expected in the coming years, including climate, CO2 reduction, biodiversity and society. Starting from the current situation, the objectives and concrete measures to achieve them have been defined. The brochure also highlights that much preparatory work has already been done. Sustainable development is a survival strategy for the future of agriculture. Councilor Schuler then concluded by reiterating that “in addition to the environment and climate protection, a secure income for farmers and the maintenance of family farms are essential”.

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