Agriculture, Mediterranean Passion: the first association of producer organizations recognized by the Region is born in Calabria

John

By John

Among the few currently active in Southern Italy, it will be the first to operate in Calabria, with the aim of networking the energies of producers and encouraging the promotion and marketing of Calabrian agricultural excellence on the markets.

Formally recognized by the Region with a provision of the Agriculture Department, managed by sector 4 directed by Domenico Ferrara, the producer organization association (Aop) called Mediterranean passionbased in Lamezia Terme, born from the union of 4 fruit and vegetable producer organizations, 3 from Calabria and one from Puglia.

In order: theOrthocalof Corigliano-Rossano, chaired by Franco Nicola Cumino (also designated president of the newly created company Mediterranean passion; there Copam Toc of Cinquefrondi (led by Francesco Scilipigni, councilor of the new Aop); there Fru.JT of Locri, captained by Francesco Macrì (Aop councilor) and, finally, the Ark Fruit of Bisceglie, coordinated by Sergio Curci, vice-president of Aop).

“Producer organizations – recalls the regional councilor for Agriculture, Gianluca Gallo – are legally constituted companies that support agricultural operators, freely and voluntarily associated, in the marketing and promotion of their fresh and processed production. The Aop is an association that places itself at a higher level, in order to promote the brands of its member organizations, as well as to market part of their production”.

A step forward, therefore, from the perspective of cooperation, to promote competitiveness and protection of quality production, since through the Associations of producer organizations, underlines Councilor Gallo, “it will be possible to concentrate the offer and improve the marketing of the production of the participating members by adapting production to demand, optimizing costs, promoting research, training and innovation and any other initiative suitable for protecting the legitimate interests of agricultural entrepreneurs, in the context of modern agriculture with respect to which the Calabrian companies increasingly tend to present themselves online, in order to better face the growing difficulties represented by the instability of global markets, the volatility of prices and the growing complexity of the relevant legislation”.

Specifically, Passione Mediterranea boasts a basket of products that embraces the best of Calabrian fruit and vegetable production (Bergamotto, Tropea PGI onion, PGI Clementine, kiwis, oranges, mandarins, lemons) and Apulian (table grapes, cherries).