Italy is one of the European countries at greatest risk of desertification. According to the National Research Council (CNR), 70% of Sicily is at risk, 58% of Molise, 57% of Puglia and 55% of Lucania, while in other regions like Sardinia, Campania, Abruzzo, Umbria, Marche and Emilia Romagna), the areas at risk of desertification range from 30% to 50%.

As shown clearly by the weather patterns in the first half of this year, increases in average temperatures are now being accompanied by climatic extremes, alternating between long periods of drought and sudden, violent precipitation.

Agriculture is clearly among the sectors worst hit by these weather patterns, so it is urgent to develop a series of counter-measures to be implemented both regionally and on the level of the single farming estates.

For the Italian agri-food sector, the picture described can truly become a critical issue. Potentially it could wreak havoc with the supply of the raw materials needed for our protected products. For the same reason, discussing these themes, seemingly remote from people’s everyday lives, will be a way to stimulate debate and find practical solutions.

Significantly, desertification will be one of the hot topics focused by the next Watec Italy, the trade fair to be held in Cremona from 23 to 26 October, where industry experts will discuss how to deal with the management of water as a resource in an intelligent and sustainable way.

Stay tuned.