If you're new here SUBSCRIBE to News RSS feed . Thanks for visiting!
The sector, which in Italy is 25% of GDP, lives in some global problems, such as those related to global warming and the instability of prices. On the occasion of World Food Day, held Monday at the National Research Council conference
Monday, October 31, on the occasion of World Food Day, held at the Aula Marconi National Research Council in Rome conference 'Food for all, between ethics and globalization', organized by Department food Entity ( Daa- CNR ). The agribusiness sector is one of the top Italian, with sales worth 25% of GDP, exports growing by 5% per year (the first European country) and a total of about 23 billion euros.
The context in which the conference refers, however, goes beyond national borders. "The food industry is characterized by an increasing scientific and technological content and requires substantial investment in research," says Domenico Pignone, director of the CNR-Daa . "But the present scenario presents some vulnerabilities - a growing demand for food with that energy, globalization of markets to climate change - could trigger unforeseen crises. The increase in areas used for production of plants for industry and energy production, for example. Or the weather linked to global warming, as the increase of Russian agricultural production by 64% to 2080 and the growth of demand for irrigation at low latitudes of 5-20%. "
A feature of recent years is also the strong price volatility . "In 2007-2008, the world market, there were increases of 320% for rice, 250% for corn and 210% for wheat. In 2010 came a sudden new surge. The increases have helped to trigger a series of protests, especially in North Africa, which have turned into real revolutions, bringing radical changes in the region. "
What are the causes of these increases? "Many: the strong growth in demand for raw cereals and vegetable oil from the market for biofuels , food demand in developing countries, events such as fires and floods of Russia in Australia, the fibrillation of the financial world, "answers Pignone. "To complicate the scenario there are changes in agricultural yields: Asia and Latin America increase agricultural productivity, Sub-Saharan Africa, Mediterranean and Middle East show a drastic reduction, which emphasizes the growing poverty of many people."
Three topics that will compete in the work, its global development sustainable in the long term, agriculture competitive in a global context, food security and the role of the National Research Council in the field. "Topics that are among the priorities of international politics," says the director of the CNR-Daa . "'L'Aquila Food Security Initiative', adopted at the G8 Summit of July 2009, emphasizes the urgent need for decisive action to free humanity from hunger and poverty by recognizing food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture as a key priority."
