Chamber of Deputies gives the green light to the ‘Coltiva Italia’ scheme: 1.1 billion for olive oil, cereals and beef
Around 970 million for livestock farming, olive oil and cereals, to boost production and reduce dependence on imports. Incentives are also being provided to support generational succession and female entrepreneurship
Key points
The Chamber of Deputies has given the green light (with no votes against) to the ‘Coltiva Italia’ bill, which will enable investment of over one billion euros (1,140 million) in agriculture. The bill, which has already been approved by the Senate, will return to the Senate between September and October – “securely approved”, as the Ministry of Agriculture assures – for final approval. “Immediately afterwards,” the Ministry of Agriculture adds, “implementing decrees will be drawn up with the aim of making the funds available for spending in the early months of 2027.”
The ‘Coltiva Italia’ initiative is, in a sense, the ‘flagship’ measure of the ministry headed by Francesco Lollobrigida, which aims to give substance to the concept of ‘food sovereignty’ – a term that was incorporated into the name of the Ministry of Agriculture at the start of this parliamentary term. The measure aims to strengthen certain key ‘Made in Italy’ supply chains which, over time, have lost their driving force, forcing Italia to become dependent on foreign imports.
Livestock farming, cereals and olive oil: around 970 million
The ‘Coltiva Italia’ programme is rolling out a ‘Food Sovereignty Strategy’ with a budget of 970 million. The ‘Allevamento Italia’ plan, the National Olive Growing Plan and the strategic supply chains will each be allocated approximately 300 million. Rounding off the package is 70 million to refinance the Food Sovereignty Fund, which will be directed in particular towards sectors in difficulty, identified as soft wheat, barley, maize, plant proteins and the cow-calf sector. The ‘Coltiva Italia’ Strategy therefore aims to strengthen the cereal and plant protein supply chains, as well as meat and olive oil production, sectors in which Italia is currently partly dependent on imports.
Lollobrigida: let’s invest where Italian agriculture needs it most
“Today, the Chamber of Deputies has approved the ‘Coltivaitalia’ bill,” commented the Minister for Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Francesco Lollobrigida, “the measure to invest an additional one billion euros in agriculture. Our primary sector has achieved remarkable results in recent years; we rank first in Europe for added value in agriculture, and we export 74.5 billion euros’ worth of agri-food products. We have achieved these results through a public investment plan totalling nearly 17 billion euros and thanks to the daily efforts of our farmers. Through the ‘Coltivaitalia’ programme, we are investing where agriculture needs it most, to reduce our dependence on foreign imports, and in high-potential sectors to make the primary sector even stronger. We are promoting generational renewal and research so that these results are merely the starting point for achieving new ones.”
Special Commissioner for Xylella appointed
However, the ‘Coltiva Italia’ programme also includes other noteworthy measures. A Special National Commissioner for Xylella is to be appointed (who will remain in post until 31 December 2028) and will have a budget of 3 million euros at their disposal.
