Speakers emphasized the importance of advanced technology for precision agriculture

The Italian Pavilion discusses sustainable agriculture

Italy is heading to raise its level of interest in agricultural companies and organic agriculture, as part of its efforts to adopt green energy, innovation and advanced technology, and it owns the largest number of organic farming companies in Europe, according to what the participants confirmed during a panel discussion in the Italian pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, under the title "Sustainable and Safe Food for a Sustainable Life".

The Consul General of Italy in Dubai, Giuseppe Venociaro, stressed that the session comes to exchange knowledge and innovation, and to demonstrate best practices for a critical global role for the security and sustainability of the agri-food sector for a better life for future generations.

He added, "We see huge opportunities for cooperation with the UAE, as the UAE government works to increase and raise food security and the ability to face supply shocks by increasing local food production and using modern and sustainable agricultural technologies."

The owners of Italian agri-food companies told their individual stories, during the panel discussion, and their efforts to make sustainable agriculture a success, outlining their plans to promote Italy's name on the global agri-food map.

“Five years after preparing a roadmap for the agri-food sector, we have been able to reduce agricultural CO2 emissions,” said inalca CEO and member of the board of directors at filiera Italia Luigi Scordamaglia.

We were also able to achieve a 32% decrease in the use of pesticides, 15% in chemical fertilizers, and 30% in antibiotics within our food chain.”

He added, "The current model is very simple, as it produces more quality and quantity, but with fewer environmental resources and leaves the land more fertile than the previous year."

Speakers emphasized that through innovation and the use of advanced technology for precision farming, production becomes more sustainable, although Italian agri-food exports have exceeded 50 billion euros, and the country has set a target of doubling exports within two years.

Zanetti SpA General Manager Paolo Zanetti said: “Our company has adopted sustainable practices in all areas and has switched to 100% green energy.

We have also reduced the use of plastic and more than 88% of our dairy suppliers grow and produce special feed to feed livestock, and animal husbandry waste is reused as fertilizer.”