The Agro Katina report and shopping guide for customers, has been launched by Friends of the Earth Malta, during a round table event.

The launch brought together NGOs, academics, farmers and hospitality stakeholders to discuss the findings and recommendations.

The FoE Malta report, is the result of their research into the local vegetable and fruit supply chain and the agricultural sector in Malta.

The Organisation said that this research was conducted in the context of the Supply Cha!nge project, which strives to find solutions to the growing challenge of reducing environmental impacts and improving working conditions along the supply chain of supermarkets.

Friends of the Earth Malta project coordinator Suzanne Maas, said, “Friends of the Earth Malta strongly believes in shorter supply chains, as these have a positive impact on local farmers, strengthen local economies and small business and bring the public closer to their food sources.”

A series of recommendations are contained in the report targeted at stakeholders in the agricultural sector: producers, retailers, customers and policy makers.

FoE Malta said that these recommendations are aimed at improvements in terms of adding value, through tapping into higher value products, better presentation and marketing, and processing produce; quality products, such as alternative higher revenue crops, focusing on niche markets, and grading of produce.

On education and information, the report suggests “investing in agricultural education, lifelong learning, and labelling and campaigning; environmental issues, through a focus on integrating water efficiency measures, protection of biodiversity and increase in renewable energy, while tapping into RDP funding for agri-environmental measures.”

Report recommendations for the tourism sector include the “creation of a strategy for agritourism and better marketing of local produce in the tourism sector.”

It also recommends from a markets prospective – “improvements at the wholesale market, better preservation of produce and tapping into online markets; and farmer’s organisation & cooperation, by organising in cooperatives and a union, creating a mechanism for young and new farmers to access land, and working on a strategy to target part-time farmers.”

Director at Friends of the Earth Malta Martin Galea De Giovanni, said, “Friends of the Earth Malta hopes the Agro Katina research, and this report in particular, can contribute to a deeper appreciation of local produce and agriculture, and a stronger integration of agricultural policies with interlinked topics, such as water, biodiversity, natural habitats, health and better quality of life.”

The report and further details can be found here.

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