Italian Agriculture’s Future Rests on Innovation in Cereals and Industrial Crops
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Italy’s agricultural sector, deeply rooted in the cultivation of cereals and industrial crops, is undergoing a period of critical change, demanding innovative solutions to ensure future competitiveness and sustainability. According to projections from the European Commission, the nation’s cereal production is estimated to reach 13.5 million tonnes by 2025/2026, cultivated across approximately 2.8 million hectares. this underscores the vital role these crops play in the country’s economy and food security.
The Backbone of Italian Agriculture
Cereals are not merely a significant part of Italy’s agricultural landscape; they are,as one senior official stated,”the backbone of our agriculture,” both in terms of land use and production volume. This centrality extends to the nation’s renowned agri-food chains, moast notably the wheat-pasta industry. In 2024 alone, Italy exported over 2.57 million tonnes of pasta, generating nearly 4 billion euros in revenue, with over 60% destined for international markets.
Italy currently holds a leading position in durum wheat production, anticipating between 4 and 4.5 million tonnes in 2025 – a considerable increase from the 3.5 million tonnes produced the previous year. This output substantially contributes to the European Union’s overall production of 8 million tonnes. Beyond wheat, corn remains crucial for Italy’s livestock sector, supporting the production of protected designation of origin (PDO) and protected geographical indication (PGI) products.
However, the sector faces significant challenges, including declining productivity, and the stagnation of yields coupled with intense international competition and price pressures.
To navigate these hurdles, notably for small and medium-sized enterprises, a shift towards more professional business management is essential. This includes embracing technology, implementing robust industrial planning, and fostering continuous innovation. Strengthening product quality and traceability, investing in income stabilization mechanisms, and promoting supply chain contracts are also critical steps. Industrial crops face similar pressures, exacerbated by foreign competition and volatile pricing.
Though, opportunities exist. The evolution of consumer preferences, growing demand for novel applications like biomass and functional foods, and the increasing emphasis on sustainability are reshaping the competitive landscape. .
CREA’s Role in Shaping the Future
The CREA cereal and Industrial Crops Research Center is positioned at the forefront of addressing these challenges and capitalizing on emerging opportunities. Building on a long-standing scientific tradition inherited from historic experimental stations, the Center is dedicated to developing solutions that enhance crop yields and resilience in a changing climate.
Its approach is inherently integrated and multidisciplinary, encompassing genomics, genetic improvement, agronomy, plant pathology, food technologies, and chemistry. This holistic methodology facilitates the creation of new crop varieties that are more productive, resistant to disease, and environmentally sustainable. The Center leverages cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence for analyzing digital phenotypes, predictive genomic selection, and Assisted Evolution Technologies (TEA), to unlock the potential of diverse genetic resources and bolster the competitiveness of the national seed sector. These innovations are already being applied to key species like durum wheat and rice, aiming to reduce resource consumption, increase yields, improve quality, and minimize environmental impact.
The Center’s work extends across the entire supply chain, from developing new varieties – including those for specialized applications like medicinal hemp and seed flax – to creating novel molecules with health benefits and implementing sustainable agricultural practices such as conservative agriculture and non-chemical defense strategies.
As one analyst noted, “Public research is more critical than ever to drive change and offer concrete solutions.” CREA is committed to supporting the transformation of Italy’s agri-food system, ensuring that cereal and industrial production remains competitive, sustainable, and central to the nation’s economy and cultural identity.
