EIMA International: Lollobrigida Announces New Funds for Agricultural Mechanics
07 November 2024, Bologna: The 46th edition of EIMA International opened today in Bologna with a discussion among institutions, professional agricultural organizations, and agromechanical industries on the themes of technological innovation, market development, and public support for the sector. Supporting investments in new-generation machinery is necessary even in the face of an unfavorable economic situation. The strategic role of training and cooperation is crucial not only to promote Italian-made products in global markets but also to overcome the “two- or three-speed” model of agriculture.
Technological innovation, training, support for investments in the latest-generation machinery, and the promotion of Made in Italy products on global markets – these were the topics at the center of the conference entitled “Agromechanical Industry Technologies, Professional Skills, and Markets: New Challenges for the Agricultural Enterprise”, which opened the 46th edition of EIMA International, the world exhibition of agricultural mechanization being held in Bologna until November 10th. The meeting, held immediately after the ribbon-cutting ceremony that inaugurated the Bologna event and moderated by Piero Fachin, co-editor of Quotidiano Nazionale, was attended by Mariateresa Maschio, President of FederUnacoma; Francesco Lollobrigida, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forests; Valentino Valentini, Deputy Minister for Business and Made in Italy; Matteo Zoppas, President of the ICE Agency; Cristiano Fini, President of CIA (Italian Farmers Confederation); and Luca Brondelli, Vice-President of Confagricoltura.
“For the Italian agricultural economy, devoted to excellence and with a growing specialization in high value-added crops”, it was explained during the conference, “investments in technology are a key factor in increasing yields, optimizing the use of production factors, and improving the quality of foodstuffs. However, these investments are held back by the sector’s low profitability”.
“Our farms have to reduce inputs and at the same time counteract the loss of soil fertility. It is a very complex challenge that has environmental and social implications. To overcome it, we must focus on innovation and mechanization, which have already enabled us to navigate complex economic phases in the past. However, reiterated Cristiano Fini, low farm incomes do not facilitate investment in advanced machinery, which must instead be made accessible to operators”.
The increase in production costs is due in particular to rises in raw materials, especially energy. On this front, Deputy Minister Valentini confirmed the government’s commitment to the launch of second-generation nuclear power. “We reiterate that we are in favor of this solution. It is on the EU agenda”, Valentini said, “and it is an objective for the Italian government. We are working to arrive at concrete proposals soon”. The topic of innovation is closely tied to that of training. “The latest generation of mechanical equipment has very advanced features that increase productivity and safety levels at work but at the same time require highly specialized skills. I am thinking, for example, of the enormous amount of data collected by the machines. These data”, explained Luca Brondelli, “are essential for our daily work, but they must be studied, analyzed, and shared based on specific know-how”. Training is also of strategic importance for the promotion of Made in Italy products on global markets, as emphasized by the President of the ICE Agency.
“We are able to guarantee technology, assistance, and training in all countries. Our competitors are not able to do the same. Just today, together with FederUnacoma, we are signing a protocol with Uganda, represented at EIMA by its Minister of Agriculture, with the aim of promoting a path of growth and development for the agricultural and agri-food system of the African country”.
Technical cooperation between industries of the Western world and those of emerging countries is also essential to avoid the coexistence of quality agricultural systems – with high technological intensity and low environmental impact – and systems of lower technological and environmental quality. “The scenario of agriculture and agricultural mechanization developing in the world at two or three different speeds”, added Mariateresa Maschio, “and addressing environmental issues inconsistently from one territory to another, conforming to the logic of economic and trade blocs, is not desirable”. “This is a very important event. Here, I had the opportunity to understand many of the demands of the sector. Today we have provided concrete answers with the 100 million euro call from the Innovation Fund, through which we have intervened to support the sector and companies producing innovative machines capable of sustainable agriculture in economic and environmental terms. I believe that walking among the stands at this event, one can feel what Italy is able to achieve. As a government”, concluded Francesco Lollobrigida, “we are aware of our role: to open new paths and allow many around the world to purchase Made in Italy products”.
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