(Finance) – For the 64% of Italians agriculture embodies the future more than the pastoverturning the stereotype of rural traditionalism that has characterized past years, so much so that the most ardent supporters of the countryside are those who live in large cities with over 500 thousand inhabitants. Not by chance 75% of adults and elderly people would be happy if their children or grandchildren chose to work in the fields. The data comes from the Coldiretti/Censis report on the occasion of the final day of the Agriculture and Food Forum at Villa Miani in Rome organized by Coldiretti in collaboration with The European House – Ambrosetti, with a panel dedicated to “Italy and ‘social self-propulsion’ with Giuseppe De Rita, president of Censis and Giuliano Amato, president emeritus of the Constitutional Court.
The appeal of agriculture among increasingly large segments of the population is well evidenced by the fact that as many as 89% have trust in farmers. At the time of the collapse of faith in expert knowledge – notes the Census – in the skills and various professions, farmers have managed to build their own specific recognition capital. A phenomenon at the origin of which there is undoubtedly the sharing of farmers’ battles in recent years for traceable, safe, healthy and sustainable food. Just think of the Coldiretti mobilizations for origin labeling on all foods, to shed scientific light on artificial food, to vindicate the principle of reciprocity of production rules.
The farmers’ request, made in institutional places and in the squares to always make food recognizable to consumers, has allowed them to become fully in tune with the deepest needs of Italians. It should therefore not be surprising that battles of this type have been taken up by 87% of Italians. High (83%) also the percentage of citizens – concludes Coldiretti – according to which Italian agriculture represents and defends very current and positive values such as sustainability, quality and the protection and promotion of good health.