'Fertiliser use down thanks to investment in research and development'

The use of nitrogen and phosphorus in Italy in the last 15 years has dropped by 7-8%, while the quantities of plant protection products sold in Italy in the last decade have decreased by 14%.

These are the main results that emerged from the Fertiliser Focus realised by the Agrofarma Observatory (the association of Italian industries producing technical means for agriculture) and presented at the Macfrut in Rimini. Results that outline the efficiency process underway in Italy in the use of chemical products in agriculture and this is thanks above all to technological innovation and the increasing sensitivity of farmers in following the prescriptions they are given on the correct use of technical means.

"All this is only possible," explain Agrofarma, "through major investments in research into increasingly innovative production tools and processes. Precisely for this reason, in the last five years, fertiliser companies have allocated 104 million euro (on average, therefore, around 20 million per year) to research and development and to making production processes more efficient, also from the energy point of view".

A commitment that goes hand in hand with that of the agropharmaceutical companies which, in Italy, invest around 3% of their annual turnover (around 32 million euro) in research and development. Of this, about 1/3 is allocated to the development of products that can also be used in organic farming. The increasing attention to the development of technical means that are also suitable for organic farming requirements also emerges from another data reported in the Fertilisers Focus: of the total amount of fertilisers registered in the last 9 years, more than 60% is also suitable for use in organic farming.

"As Agrofarma," commented the president of Agrofarma-Federchimica, Paolo Tassani, "we have always highlighted the importance of integration and correct use of all technical means for effective and sustainable crop management. This is why we decided to create this first thematic focus of the Agrofarma Observatory on the fertiliser sector, in collaboration with Assofertilizzanti. We believe, in fact, that nutrition and defence are two fundamental components of a healthy, productive and competitive agriculture, and it is essential that the efforts and results achieved so far are properly valorised".