On Saturday 14th March 2018, strong winds exceeding 100 km/h hit the area between Gela (CL) and Scicli (RG). It's the umpteenth episode of extreme weather that has affected the entire agricultural sector.
Many early table-grape greenhouses were destroyed in Mazzarrone (CT). The area had already been hit by a few tornadoes in November 2017 and March 2018, not to mention the serious crisis that is affecting the entire segment.
"Once again, we have to deal with extreme bad weather, we don't know what to do anymore. Combined with the tax pressure and debts affecting most of us, many will probably have to shut down this year. Many small and medium entrepreneurs don't have the strength to face this campaign and only managed to go on over the past few years thanks to the determination typical of Sicilian producers," explains Angelo Giacchi, coordinator of Comitato Anticrisi Agricoltura Sicilia.
"Although many think we constantly receive public funds, day after day we have to deal with problems ignored by most: pressing diseases, price increases of agricultural products and materials as well as tax and bank pressure. I firmly believe that no other sector has to deal with the same situation, but I truly hope the Institutions will finally do something about it."
"On 13th April 2018, there was a technical round table with Regione president Musumeci to find a solution for this market crisis. In the meantime, we've had to witness a further blow to producers. The strong winds coming from North-East have damaged greenhouses considerably, destroying the crops. It's still to early to assess the damage, though," explained Gianfranco Cunsolo, Coldiretti provincial president.
In the meantime, Regione Sicilia has declared the state of natural disaster, which could lead to possible forms of support.
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"Incomes are heavily affected, as well as the chances to have financial resources to invest for next year. The sector had already been brought to its knees by the prolonged crisis. I have been reassured by councillor Edy Bandiera that the damage is currently being assessed so that funds can be distributed," explained ARS member Giorgio Assenza.
"The entire Sicilian fresh produce sector is facing difficulties. The capability of producers to re-plant for the next campaign is seriously compromised. Almost 2,000 companies (out of 5,000) are at risk, as well as 12,000 workers (out of 27,000), over 1 and a half million working days (out of 3 million) and 30% of the GDP. Measures lasting at least five years are needed: extraordinary events must be dealt with with extraordinary measures. National and regional governments must have the courage to take decisions even at the cost of risking infringement proceedings," commented Sandro Gambuzza, member of the Giunta Nazionale di Confagricoltura.