Sustainable agriculture means less land and water waste. And more healthy food for 10 billion people, the number of people we will have in 2050.

Sustainability in agriculture primarily concerns producers, men and women who cannot be strangled by the strong hand of buyers. The SAI platform and the Findus case promote respect for the land.

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SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

In economics, we always talk about the technology industry, services, manufacturing, and we often forget that over 60 percent of the world's population still depends onagriculture. Not only. Within the 2050, so in a few years, the population of the planet will reach almost 10 billions of people, and the demand for agricultural products will grow by at least 50 percent.

Who will be able to meet this enormous demand for food? And with what production techniques and methods will they be able to avoid becoming yet another opportunity for waste? one of the most important resources for man, the land in fact, and therefore nature? The game of sustainable agriculture is played around these questions, at the top of the objectives of the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, the editorial compass of this site.

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ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AGRICULTURE

When we talk about sustainable agricultureWe mean three fundamental things first. First of all, working to ensure that crops use more efficiently the inputs such as fertilizers, energy, and water. This is a way to achieve greater efficiency, less waste, and less pollution. As for water, waste and consumption can be reduced, for example, thanks to:introduction of effective irrigation systems, efficient and able to administer small volumes of water Calculating and administering the plants' actual water needs. The second cornerstone of sustainable agriculture is another equation: more fertile soil with less fertilizerA goal to be achieved, for example, by using appropriate crop rotations. In this case, for example, a crop can be returned to the same field only after a certain suitable period. Third, agriculture is truly sustainable when, even before the land, respect people, communities Those who work in the agricultural sector, the land where it is produced, with its own identity and specific characteristics. And respect for people, first and foremost, includes the fact that farmers cannot be forced, by the strong hand of the buyer, to lack clarity and balance in setting prices, quantities, and quality for each product.  

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THE FINDUS CASE

These principles have been adopted in recent years by companies operating in the sector that are increasingly investing in sustainable agriculture. One of these is Findus, a leader in the frozen food market, which has joined SAI Platform, the leading international initiative on sustainability in agricultureThis membership involves verifying Findus' vegetable production through an in-depth analysis covering all aspects of sustainability.

To apply these principles, and in compliance with a path undertaken years ago, Findus has begun to promote an agriculture that guarantees respect for the earth and protect farmers and their crops. In a sustainability not only environmental, but also social and economic.

In order to use less fertilizers and practice crop rotation, Findus carries out annually soil analysis To assess soil fertility and define fertilization protocols by accurately calculating nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content, allowing for targeted interventions and distributing only the nutrients necessary for proper plant growth. Finally, Findus has decided to focus a lot on relationships, which is why it supports the 672 Italian farms with which it collaborates locally with its own and third-party agronomists. This commitment, including through price setting before sowing, aims to promote sustainable agriculture in the area, from which the community can benefit socially, economically, and environmentally.

In addition to its commitment 'on the field', Findus also dedicates itself to telling its mission through the Findus Green Camp, a real journey towards sustainability in the company of Fabrizio, the Findus agronomist, and 4 young explorers who have the task of explaining the techniques, curiosities and principles of sustainable agriculture for the cultivation of vegetables. Findus Traditional Minestrone.

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SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND FINDUS VEGETABLES

Thanks to the efforts made, Findus aims to produce by 2019 90% of total volumes of vegetables according to the FSA (Farm Sustainability Assessment) sustainability standard, the verification scheme developed by SAI that allows for in-depth analysis of agricultural practices, covering all aspects of sustainable agriculture. The techniques used will be applied to products such as Minestrone Tradizione, Peas, and Spinach, and will be verified by a third-party audit.

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