Agrofarma: a 25 per cent reduction in chemical use on farmland over 10 years, but a boom in second-hand tractors
The optimisation of plant protection products must contend with the erosion of farm incomes, which in turn is hampering investment in innovation
Key points
A virtuous cycle of progressive optimisation (and, consequently, a reduction in the use of chemicals in agriculture) which, however, must now contend with the erosion of farm incomes, which in turn is hampering investment in innovation. This is the picture that emerges from the latest data from the Agrofarma Observatory (the association bringing together 30 Italian companies in the agrochemicals sector), which will be presented on the morning of 11 November as part of the Eima in Bologna.
Less chemicals, more organic farming, but yields are falling
Data from the Agrofarma Observatory confirm, first and foremost, the trend towards the progressive optimisation of the use of crop protection products. Sales of plant protection products in Italia have fallen by a total of 25 per cent over the course of a decade. The reduction in the volumes of active ingredients was even more pronounced over the same period. This trend goes hand in hand with the growth of lower-impact solutions: active ingredients, including those of biological origin, have in fact seen a 130 per cent increase.
A positive trend in environmental terms, but one which is, at the same time, showing signs of difficulty on the production front. According to data released by Areté, a data analytics firm in the agri-food sector and a partner of the Observatory, yields of 8 of the 11 main crops grown in Italia have been falling over the last decade. Among the most significant declines are those for wine grapes (-11 per cent), alfalfa (-11 per cent) and durum wheat (-11 per cent).
Against the backdrop of these developments, however, there are clear signs of the difficulties facing agricultural businesses. On the production front, a comparison of the average yields for the three-year period 2023–2025 with those for 2015–2018 for the 11 main crops analysed shows a decline . Among the most significant declines are those for wine grapes (-11 per cent), alfalfa (-11 per cent) and durum wheat (-11 per cent).
Scaglia (Agrofarma): public support for innovation is needed
“The Observatory’s new data,” commented Massimo Scaglia, President of Agrofarma-Federchimica, “paint a picture of an agricultural sector that is making significant progress towards an increasingly efficient and sustainable use of crop protection products. At the same time, however, the difficulties faced by agricultural businesses are clearly evident; they operate in an increasingly complex environment, characterised by growing pressure on production costs, falling yields and reduced investment capacity. “Our companies are committed to providing the agricultural sector with innovative, effective and sustainable solutions. It is, however, essential that national and European policies create the conditions for this innovation to continue reaching the market and be genuinely accessible to farms. Innovation, sustainability and competitiveness must go hand in hand.”
