In the general crisis, agriculture is holding up. By the end of the year, the sector will see its added value increase by 1,2%, while as far as employment is concerned, a real boom has already occurred, with a 6% increase in hiring. The value of exports, on the other hand, marks an increase of 11%, in sharp contrast with the general trend of the economy. The data was released by the president of Coldiretti, Sergio Marini, during the association's annual meeting. The numbers were calculated on the basis of Istat surveys relating to the first quarter of 2011.
Marini explained that “areas of serious difficulty remain, such as that of pig breeding. The effects of the emergence of the killer bacterium on fruit and vegetables are also being discounted. But the sector shows great vitality and has conquered firsts in terms of quality”.
The president of Coldiretti also announced the birth of the first farmers' sales chain called Botteghe di campagna amica: "It is a new and modern commercial channel for the direct sale of agri-food products - explained Marini - which joins the large-scale distribution and proximity shops. From July to September, hundreds of shops will open with a single format in all the Italian provinces, where it will be possible to buy a wide range of farmers' products exclusively with the Campagna amica brand".
