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2018-2020

ACTION PLAN

FOR ORGANIC

AGRICULTURE

IN PUGLIA

REGION

(ITALY)

Authors

Al Bitar Lina, Bteich Marie Reine, Callieris Roberta, Cardone Gianluigi, Di Terlizzi

Biagio, Jawhar Jocelyne, Marti Giorgio, Pugliese Patrizia, Scivetti Laura (CIHEAM Bari),

Ciaula Maria, Genchi Angela, Orlando Pasquale, Trotta Luigi, Veneziano Walter,

(Puglia Region)

Acknowledgements

The Organic Action Plan of Puglia Region 2018-2020 is the main final output of the

first phase of the SME-Organics Project in the framework of the Interreg EU

Programme, resulting from the valuable Partnership between Puglia Region and

CIHEAM Bari.

We are very grateful to the selected group of stakeholders involved in the Project

(annex 3) who supported us for the success of this activity. Our deepest appreciation

goes to the stakeholders who participated in the stakeholder workshop for approving

the SWOT analysis, for scoring and ranking the priorities of the regional organic

sector, and for taking part in the field visits in the European regions of the Project

partners.

Special thanks go to all the Project Partners for their collaboration, involvement and

support in the activities, particularly for their encouragement and appreciation of the

good practices of Puglia, which contribute to the development and promotion of the

regional territory, and to Elvira Lapedota and Marina Marini for the interpretation and

translation services provided during the project

Disclaimer

This Organic Action Plan is the output of joint work of the two Project Partners of

SME Organics for Puglia Region: the Managing Authority of OP ERDF-ESF 2014-

2020, and CIHEAM Bari. The document is the result of several regional stakeholder

and consortium meetings, and could represent an orientation for future planning

policies of Puglia Region in its support to the sector.

2

Acronyms and abbreviations

CIBi: Consorzio Italiano per il Biologico (Italian Consortium for Organic Farming)

CIHEAM: Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes

EAFRD: European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development

ERDF: European Regional Development Fund

ESF: European Social Fund

FEDERBIO: Federazione Italiana Agricoltura Biologica e Biodinamica (Italian

Federation of Organic and Biodynamic Agriculture)

FiBL: Research Institute of Organic Agriculture

Ha: Hectare

MiPAAF: Ministero delle Politiche Agricole, Alimentari e Forestali dell’Italia (Italian

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies)

MOAN: Mediterranean Organic Agriculture Network

OAP: Organic Action Plan

OBAR: Official Bulletin Apulia Region

RDP: Rural Development Programme

ROP: Regional Operational Programme

SIB: Sistema Informativo Biologico (Organic Information System)

SINAB: Sistema Informativo Nazionale per l’Agricoltura Biologica (National

Information System for Organic Agriculture)

SMART: Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic, Time-related

SWOT: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats

UAA: Utilised Agricultural Area

3

List of contents

FOREWORD ................................................................................................................... 4

PREFACE .......................................................................................................................... 6

1. SME-Organics process for an Organic Action Plan in Puglia Region ........... 8

2. Organic agriculture in Puglia Region: facts and figures ................................ 11

2.1 Statistic context ............................................................................................... 12

2.2 Policy context ................................................................................................... 14

2.3 Good Practices ................................................................................................. 24

2.4 SWOT analysis per thematic area ................................................................ 28

3. Looking ahead exploiting available opportunities: a roadmap ................... 33

3.1 Needs and policy gaps .................................................................................... 33

3.2 Aims, strategic objectives and targets ......................................................... 34

3.3 List of action points and identification of policy instruments ................ 40

3.4 Follow-up and outlook ................................................................................... 48

References ..................................................................................................................... 51

Annexes .......................................................................................................................... 54

4

FOREWORD

In Italy, Puglia is one of the leading regions in the organic sector both in terms of

cultivated areas and of number of operators, mainly agricultural producers.

In the decade 2006 – 2016, the cultivated area increased by 123% while the number

of operators showed a positive trend of about 94%. For the years 2015 and 2016, the

same data show an increase of about 42% and 56% respectively compared to the

previous year.

These are important data that require consideration not only from the point of view

of production but also from the perspective of all those value-added services that

contribute to improving the positioning of Apulian products on the markets.

The Action Plan for Apulian organic farming represents a significant opportunity to

promote an integrated and coherent approach for the consolidation and development

of organic businesses in the region of Puglia; it may contribute to the creation of a

general strategy for the sector that can successfully address the challenges and

opportunities related to the evolution of markets.

In this sense, the participation in the SME Organics project of the Managing Authority

of the ERDF-ESF Operational Programme 2014-2020, as partner, has favoured the

implementation of the principle of concentration of the efforts of the European

cohesion policy where research and innovation, information and communication

technologies and strengthening of the competitiveness of enterprises represent the

added value that can enable the Apulian sector to be more easily recognised and

integrated into the delivery systems of organic products.

The initiatives illustrated in the Action Plan go in the direction of encouraging the

growth of organic holdings in Puglia in a global context in which the daily attitudes of

consumers are increasingly oriented towards health and environmental protection.

The increased awareness of consumers towards safe and natural products requires a

joint effort by national and regional policies, which must look at the integration of

actions by promoting organic farming, which is also a real opportunity for the

development of youth employment.

5

The Region of Puglia, also through the initiatives of excellence already recognized

within the SME Organics Project, including the Regional Observatory for Organic

Farming which is an important tool to ensure a secure dynamic source of data in the

sector, aims to consolidate and promote the organic sector not only through the

actions supported by EAFRD, but also through further experience related to one of

the outputs of the SME Organics Project, the Action Plan, which has opened a virtuous

dialogue between the Managing Authorities of the Funds (EAFRD and ERDF-ESF) and

the regional economic partnership.

Data are encouraging; they confirm the need to strengthen, in the appropriate fora

and in the light of the definition of post-2020 cohesion policies, an integrated action

of the Funds. This allows organic producers to recognize the role of the public

authority able to ensure competitiveness and sustainability for the agri-food system

in Puglia and Italy.

The Managing Authority

of the Operational Programme Puglia ERDF-ESF 2014-2020

Dr. Pasquale Orlando

6

PREFACE

Over the last 20 years, CIHEAM Bari has firmly committed itself to foster the organic

agriculture sector in the Mediterranean Region by favouring the exchange of technical

expertise and harmonising the actions and goals of the various institutions to design

a common action policy catering for the interests and needs of all the regional

stakeholders.

Within this scope, CIHEAM Bari has undertaken the following actions:

• launching a Master of Science programme in “Mediterranean organic agriculture”

providing technical and scientific training and support to technicians, academics

and trainers for an in-depth knowledge of organic agriculture;

• setting up a research, investigation and experimentation programme focusing on

the main commodities and needs characterizing the Mediterranean organic

agriculture;

• implementing international cooperation programmes;

• setting up a Mediterranean organic agriculture Network (MOAN).

MOAN is a platform for decision-makers to exchange data, knowledge and experience

for the development of Mediterranean Organic Agriculture. It was created to become

a tool for 23 Euro-Med Ministries of Agriculture (including MiPAAF) to promote

cooperation and policy dialogue for sustainable production and consumption patterns

in changing Mediterranean communities and territories, through the diffusion of

organic agriculture’s lasting values and innovative practices.

I would like to point out that the initial drive behind the involvement of CIHEAM Bari

in Organic Agriculture came with a project entitled 'Biopuglia: demonstrative action

to develop and spread the organic production method in agriculture' sponsored by the

Apulian regional government within the Apulian Multi-fund Operational Programmes

1994-99.

Since then, partnership between CIHEAM Bari and Regione Puglia has generated

knowledge and technical assistance necessary to promote the development of organic

agriculture that CIHEAM Bari transfers to Mediterranean institutions and that

Regione Puglia makes available at regional level.

Among the various initiatives developed by CIHEAM Bari and Regione Puglia to

promote organic agriculture at local level, mention shall be made of the Regional

7

Observatory for Organic Agriculture at the Department of Agri-food Resources of

Regione Puglia.

The Observatory, established in the framework of the "Regional Programme for the

Development of Organic Agriculture in Puglia", is aimed at improving the knowledge

of agricultural and agri-food operators on organic farming techniques and at

promoting the "organic system" approach by the citizens, both as consumers and

users, for a more informed consumption of organic products. Specifically, the

Observatory has made the use of the "Biobank Open Project” mandatory for all

organic operators in the Region. This is the regional portal on www.biologicopuglia.it

website in which organic holdings can enter and update data enabling the on-line

notification of the organic control system. This site is currently used by all operators

with the presentation of notifications made mandatory by Action 1 of Measure 214

of the Rural Development Programme.

The European SME-Organics project, in which CIHEAM Bari and Regione Puglia are

involved, has strengthened the collaboration between these institutions. In fact, this

Action Plan was produced by CIHEAM Bari and validated by Regione Puglia and all

the regional stakeholders for the promotion of the organic agriculture sector in Puglia.

This twenty-year collaboration experience will certainly be enhanced in a broader

institutional context.

CIHEAM Bari Director

Dr. Maurizio Raeli

8

1. SME-Organics process for an Organic Action Plan in

Puglia Region

The Organic Action Plan (OAP) of Puglia region was developed between 2016-2018,

in the framework of SME Organics project following specific methodology and

guidelines drafted by the project coordinator, in collaboration with FiBL and IFOAM

EU.

Through the project-guided stepwise approach, the two regional Project Partners -

the Managing Authority of OP ESFR-ESF 2014-2020 of Puglia Region and CIHEAM

Bari - have been working at the regional OAP in close collaboration with a mixed

group of nineteen Regional Stakeholders.

A key member of the regional stakeholder group is the Puglia Region-Agriculture,

Environment and Rural Development Department. It manages, with CIHEAM Bari’s

support, the Regional Observatory of Organic Agriculture which has been actively

fostering and monitoring the development of the regional organic sector since 2007.

The department gave an important contribution to the drafting of the regional OAP.

The stakeholder group also included a number of other relevant actors, some with a

distinct organic specialisation, others operating in other segments too: two other

public actors, namely a regional park authority and the University of Bari; the

Regional Agency for Economic Development that technically supports the regional

authority in the design, management and monitoring of programs for economic

development and innovation; five private enterprises and two producer

organizations working in the most important agri-food supply chains of Puglia

organic sector (olive oil, wine, cereals & pasta, dairy, fresh and processed vegetables);

the most important organic certification body at the regional level; a specialised

organic distributor & retailer, three regional organic associations playing different

roles in the current evolving governance of the regional organic sector; the

professional agronomist organization of the region capital city; a fourth association

working on sustainable tourism the regional platform of the social innovation

movement that share values with the organic sector and, with it, are jointly

promoting various initiatives and trying to build up strategic alliances.

1

9

Diversification in the composition of the regional stakeholder group has contributed

to bringing a multi-perspective approach in the process.

The basis for the regional OAP has been the definition of the regional sector’s needs

and potential. A SWOT analysis has been carried out to investigate the strengths and

weaknesses of the organic sector and the opportunities and threats that impact on

the current state and future development of the regional organic sector. In particular,

the needs of SMEs were identified across four thematic areas (the same also

considered in the identification of the regional stakeholder group), namely: 1)

Production and processing; 2) Commercialization and marketing; 3) Training and

advice; 4) Organic value chain efficiency and governance.

The SWOT analysis represents a key pivotal component of a thorough Regional

Diagnosis which also produced a snapshot of the latest regional organic statistics and

allowed to review the existing policy support measures (funds) and programmes and

identify relevant “Good Practices”, many of which are implemented by members of

the regional stakeholders group.

The Regional Diagnosis including SWOT, current regional context and Good

Practices, is presented in section 2 of this document.

On the basis of SWOT outcomes and available opportunities offered by the regional

policy context, the regional Organic Action Plan was developed navigating the

standard hierarchical path, starting from top-level aims, moving to more clearly

defined strategic objectives and action points and specifying, in the end, details on

targets and activities. These are presented in section 3 of this document.

The interplay between regional project partners and stakeholders was at the heart

of the OAP development which also benefitted from the interregional learning

process fostered by the project among partner and stakeholders from the different

SME Organics regions. Such experience sharing was mainly carried out through

regional field visits.

Puglia Region hosted the third Field Visit project which took place on 6-8 February

2017. The field visit represented a valuable opportunity to present and promote

Puglia organic products, values, and practices which also inspired participants’

discussion in thematic exchange groups.

The finalisation of OAP marks the end of the first phase of SME Organics project.

The second phase, to be carried out between 2018-2020, will be devoted to OAP

10

implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Some challenges and recommendations

concerning such critical steps are briefly presented in section 4.

Figure 1: Timeline and key steps of OAP development in Puglia Region

11

2. Organic agriculture in Puglia Region: facts and figures

Figure 2: Key stats of the organic sector in Puglia Region (2016)

2

12

2.1 Statistic context

According to the data published starting from 2001 by the national information

system for organic agriculture SINAB (Sistema d’Informazione Nazionale sull’Agricoltura

Biologica), and the regional Biobank Open Project, Puglia region has been and

continues to be one of the leading regions in the Italian organic sector in terms of

cultivated surfaces and number of operators, who are predominantly agricultural

producers. The trend of the organic surfaces and number of operators between 2006

and 2016 in Puglia is reported in Figure 2; it clearly shows the continuous evolution

of the sector and the large growth registered in the last year.

Table 1 briefly describes the organic sector in Puglia from 2012 to 2016 in terms

of structural (surfaces by crop type and operators by activity) and market (products

type and market values) data.

Organic agricultural production is prevalent. Organic agriculture in Puglia region

has been characterized since its beginning by the predominance of agricultural

producers compared to other types of operators; with time, the presence of

producers-processors has become significant though less important.

As shown in table 1, the most cultivated crops are arable land (mainly durum wheat), olives and vineyards.

Organic animal husbandry is still limited although it has registered a slow growth over the years.

Organic processing is mainly concentrated on extra virgin olive oil and wine.

13

Table 1 – Key data of the organic sector in Puglia, 2012-2016

REGIONAL DATA 31.12.2016 31.12.2015 31.12.2014 31.12.2013 31.12.2012

Number of organic producers

8,824 5,102 4,845 4,398 5,377

Number of organic agricultural producers

8,499 4,902 4,666 4,282 5,260

Number of organic livestock producers

319 198 173 114 117

Number of aquaculture producers

6 2 6 2 0

Number of organic processors

705 668 568 461 462

Number of organic importers

0 0 0 0 0

Number of producers-processors

1,337 1,246 1,194 1,266 262

Number of processors-importers

6 2 1 1 0

Number of producers-processors-importers

0 0 0 0 0

Total organic acreage (ha)

273,584 192,239 186,007 171,459 171,122

Organic arable land (ha) 121,784 91,987 89,385 81,399 72,340

Organic grassland (ha) 27,226 14,703 14,247 13,573 12,015

Organic permanent crops (ha)

119,969 84,219 81,107 75,178 75,341

Of which olive trees (ha) 85,939 60,458 58,604 54,695 54,663

Of which vineyards (ha) 14,187 10,080 9,597 8,328 10,173

Of which grapevines (ha) 3,965 2,483 2,398 2,324

Of which citrus (ha) 2,817 1,948 1,760 1,708 1,565

Of which other permanent crops (ha)

13,060 9,251 8,748 8,124 8,940

Nurseries (ha) 68 52 51 47 n.a.

Other UAA (ha) 4,538 1,278 1,217 1,262 11,429

Total Apulian farmland acreage (ha)

1,555,913

1,555,913 1,502,286 n.a. n.a.

Organic share of farmland acreage (%) (including conversion)

17,6% 12,4% 12,4% n.a. n.a.

Sources: Structural data from BIOBANK Open Project

14

2.2 Policy context

The national and regional policy, that may affect the Puglia organic sector, are

described as follows.

Italian Strategic Plan for organic agriculture

On 23 March 2016, the State-Regions Conference approved the National Strategic

Plan for organic agriculture. The plan, the result of an activity carried out by the Italian

Ministry of Agriculture (Mipaaf) along with all the sector players, includes a set of 10

actions and promotes the growth of the sector to be reached by 2020.

This is a long-term strategy aiming at providing clear lines of organic farming

development with a view to coordinating support policies and offering concrete

responses to agricultural operators.

The Strategic Plan is established on four principles:

1. Coordination in development efforts

2. Consumer protection

3. Simplification

4. Research

A list of the most important actions follows:

ACTION 1 - ORGANIC IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS – Development of

coordination among the different Italian Regions to bring into alignment the application

rules of the Rural Development support measures for organic farming. Particular

attention is given to promoting a specific agro-ecological approach.

ACTION 2 - SUPPLY CHAIN POLICY - Encouraging the aggregation of producers and

stable relations with the other players of the sector, including processors, distributors

and traders, through the implementation of specific association forms.

ACTION 3 - ORGANIC “MADE IN ITALY” AND INSTITUTIONAL

COMMUNICATION - Introduction of a logo for the Italian organic products and

promotion of international information campaigns also through the web.

ACTION 4 - ORGANIC AND GREEN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT - Encouraging the

use of organic products in hospital catering and in school canteens, applying organic

agriculture methods also in the management of public green areas.

15

ACTION 5 - SIMPLIFICATION OF THE ORGANIC LEGISLATION - A simplification

of the rules governing the sector, involving regional administrations, also following the

EU legislation updating.

ACTION 6 - EDUCATION, INFORMATION AND TRANSPARENCY - Organization

of organic farming training courses at university level and of training courses for high

school teachers. Strengthening of SINAB (the National Information System on Organic

Farming) services to improve the availability of information on the sector.

ACTION 7 – “PAPER LESS” ORGANIC - COMPUTERISATION – Development of

SIB - the Italian Organic Computerised System to facilitate the connection with other

databases useful for the sector, with the aim of simplifying the operators’ procedures .

ACTION 8 - REVIEW OF CONTROL RULES – The aim is to improve the effectiveness

of the Italian control and certification system, as a guarantee for organic operators and

consumers (legislative decree n° 220/95).

ACTION 9 - CONTROL ON IMPORTS – Improvement of control activities on

products imported from third countries also through a deeper involvement of customs

and with the use of advanced IT tools so to facilitate the rapid exchange of information

at all levels.

ACTION 10 - PLAN FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN ORGANIC FARMING

– Drawing up of a national plan for research and innovation in organic farming,

establishing a permanent coordination committee for research in organic and

biodynamic farming, involving the institutions supervised by Mipaaf, the Regions and

representatives of the organic sector

(http://www.sinab.it/node/20503 http://www.reterurale.it/).

Currently, the above actions are not operative, but in the next months, the MiPAAF

should draft and adopt the implementing regulations, and define the financial

resources.

Current regional support measures The regional measures (Programmes, Projects, Actions, etc.) to support the development of the organic sector have been analysed within the following two main thematic issues: 1. Agriculture and rural development (Table 2) 2. Economic development and sustainable agri-food industry (Table 3)

http://www.reterurale.it/

16

Table 2 -Agriculture and rural development

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RDP 2014-2020 Puglia: M01 “Knowledge transfer and information actions”1

Regional Management Authority

Professional training body for farmers and their associations, agri-food SMEs (Priority to environmental issue)

EAFRD and Italian Government

x x x x x x

RDP 2014-2020 Puglia: M02 “Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services”1


Education/ training and extension services to farmers and their associations (Priority for environmental issue)


x X x x x x

RDP 2014-2020 Puglia: M03 “Quality schemes for agricultural products, and foodstuffs”1


Farmers and their associations


x x X

RDP 2014-2020 Puglia Sub-M 4.1: “Investments for the improvement of performance and sustainability of agricultural holding”


Farmers and their associations (Priority to organic farmers)


x x x x

RDP 2014-2020 Puglia Sub-M 4.2: “Investment for the processing/ marketing and/or development of agri-foods”1


SMEs and LEs (Priority to organic operators)


x x x x

17

RDP 2014-2020 Puglia Sub-M 4.4: “Non-productive investments linked to the achievement of agri- environment -climate objectives”1


Public and private bodies (Priority to bodies that apply organic method)


x

RDP 2014-2020 Puglia: M09 “Setting -up of producer groups and organisations”1


Farmers and their associations (Priority to farm increasing the re-use of waste for the production of organic products)


x x x x

Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 Puglia: M11 “Organic farming”


Organic farmers and their associations


x

Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 Puglia: Sub-M 16.1 “Cooperation: Support to setting-up Operational Groups of EIP”1


Operational Groups (being established) of farmers, research centres, private companies, etc.


x x x

Puglia: Sub-M 16.2 “Cooperation: Support to pilot project, and development of new products, processes, practices, and technologies”1


Operational Groups (established) of farmers, research centres, private companies, etc.


x x x

Regional Programme: “Agricoltura & Qualità” for “Prodotti di Qualità” Puglia1

Director of Department of Agriculture, rural development and environment of Puglia Region

Farmers, Agri-Food businesses

Regional budget (Puglia Region) and CIHEAM Bari

x x x

Regional Programme: Network of educational traditional farm houses1

Director of Department of Agriculture, rural development and environment of PR

Farmers and their associations, students and guests

Regional budget (PR) and private budget

x x x x x

18

Regional Action Programme for Organic Agriculture: Project “Biologicopuglia” (2012-2014)1

Department of Rural Development Policies of PR

Farmers and their associations

Regional budget of Puglia Region by MiPAAF

x x x x x

Note: *Refer to relevant European Investment or Structural Funds e.g. ERDF, EAFRD or national fund if applicable, details in Focus Box;** Refer to relevant managing authorities e.g. EU, national, regional if applicable; *** Refer to relevant EU, national, regional co-financing; (1) Not only for organic operators; PR: Puglia Region; SME: Small Medium Enterprise; MSME: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise; LE: Large Enterprise; EAFRD: European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development; ERDF: European Regional Development Fund; M: Measure; Sub-M: Sub-Measure.

19

FOCUS 1 Regional Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 of Puglia Region

Regione Puglia (Puglia’s Regional Government) has published its regional Rural

Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020, in accordance with the objectives

and strategic framework of Community rural development policy in line with Reg.

(EU) 1305/2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural

Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

The priority of RDP “Restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems related to

agriculture and forestry” aims at contributing to the sustainable development of

rural areas, with a strong spin-off on organic agriculture. Measure M11 “Organic

farming” (article 29) plays a vital role in promoting sustainable development of

rural areas balancing the pressure resulting from agricultural activities and

interacting positively with environmental factors such as water, soil, air,

biodiversity and landscape. Commitments under this measure shall be made for

a period of almost five to seven years. Support is granted to new organic

operators for conversion to organic farming (a short and initial period

corresponding to the period of conversion), and to organic operators for the

maintenance of organic farming.

Other measures of the regional RDP 2014-2020 are useful to the development

and enhancement of organic farming and products:

M01 – “Knowledge transfer and information actions” (article 14) to support

organic operators for vocational training and skills acquisition, specific

demonstration and information actions including training courses, workshops and

coaching.

M02 – “Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services” (article 15)

to help organic farmers and SMEs by using advisory services for the improvement

of the economic and environmental performance as well as the climate

friendliness and resilience of their holding, enterprise and/or investment.

M03 – “Quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs” (article 16) to

support new participation by farmers and groups of farmers in quality schemes

established under the Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007.

M04 – “Investments in physical assets” (article 17) whose support shall cover: the

improvement of the overall performance and sustainability of the agricultural

holding, (ii) the processing, marketing and/or development of agricultural

products covered by Annex I to the Treaty, except fishery products, (iii)

20

infrastructure related to the development, modernisation or adaptation of

agriculture and forestry, (iv) are non -productive investments linked to the

achievement of agri- environment -climate objectives.

M06 - “Farm business and development” (article 19) – Investments in creation

and development of business start-up i.e. non-agricultural activities

M09 – “Setting -up of producer groups and organisations” (article 27) to adapt

production and output of producers to market requirements, to jointly place

goods on the market, to develop business and marketing skills and organize and

facilitate innovation processes.

M11 – “Organic farming” (article 29) to boost, on a voluntary basis, the

conversion to or the maintenance of organic farming practices and methods as

defined in Regulation (EC) No 834/2007.

M16 – “Co-operation” (article 35), particularly to support the European

Innovation Partnership by establishing operational groups for agricultural

productivity and sustainability in order to:

• promote a resource efficient, economically viable, productive,

competitive, low emission, climate- friendly and resilient agricultural and

forestry sector, working towards agro-ecological production systems and

in harmony with the essential natural resources on which farming and

forestry depend;

• help deliver a steady and sustainable supply of food, feed and biomaterials,

including the existing and new types; improve processes to preserve the

environment, adapt to climate change and mitigate it.

http://psr.regione.puglia.it/

http://psr.regione.puglia.it/

21

Table 3 - Economic development and sustainable agri-food industry

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Regional Programme Contract1


Large enterprises (LE)

ERDF x

x

x

x

Integrated Incentives Packages ME1


Medium enterprises (ME)

ERDF x

x

x

x

Integrated Incentives Packages SE1


Small enterprises (SE)

ERDF x

x

x

x

Article II1 Regional Management Authority

Micro and SME (MSME)

ERDF x

NESTS New initiatives of enterprises (micro)1


Micro Enterprises (ME)

ERDF x x x

Microcredit1 Regional Management Authority

Micro Enterprises (ME)

ERDF x

Training Programme for enterprises1


MSME ERDF-FSE

x x x

Programme TECHNO-NESTS1


SME ERDF x x x

Programme “The Apulian lifestyle for a happy long life”1

Regional Health Agency

Consumers, Trainer

Regional Action funded by autonomous regional budget

x x x

Note: *Refer to relevant European Investment or Structural Funds e.g. ERDF, EAFRD or national fund if applicable;** Refer to relevant managing authorities e.g. EU, national, regional if applicable; *** Refer to relevant EU, national, regional co-financing; (1) Not only for organic operators; PR: Puglia Region; SME: Small Medium Enterprise; MSME: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise; LE: Large Enterprise; EAFRD: European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development; ERDF: European Regional Development Fund.

22

FOCUS 2 The Regional Operational Programme ERDF-ESF 2014-2020 The Apulian Operational Programme ERDF-ESF 2014-2020 is the regional

programming document, which contributes to the Europe 2020 strategy for

smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and to the achievement of economic,

social and territorial cohesion. The programme is a multi-fund Regional

Operational Programme (ROP) based on the integration between ERDF and ESF.

It arises in an institutional and programmatic context in rapid evolution and

evolves in the paths traced by the strategy "Smart Puglia 2020" and the "Digital

Agenda Puglia 2020”, which directed resources towards three areas of

specialization: 1) sustainable manufacturing, 2) human and environmental health,

3) digital, creative and inclusive communities.

The programme has allocated funds, 50% from ERDF and 50% co-financed (35%

by the Italian government and 15% by the Apulian regional government). The

strategic articulation of the Programme concentrates on 13 main mutually

consistent and integrated priority axes. Each of these axes has one or more

specific objectives (SOs) with the outcomes expected for each SO; the actions to

be co-financed by the Programme are related to these SOs.

Although the programme does not regulate the organic sector directly, it supports

investments in the agri-food sector which may indirectly affect the development

of organic businesses. Not all the instruments financed by the Programme will be

presented in this plan, but only those having a potential benefit for organic

operators.

With reference to Axis 3 “Competitiveness of small and medium enterprises”,

organic companies may give special consideration to the activities for the

relaunch and investment of the production system (3.1) which aim at reinforcing

the industrial policy by supporting innovation (Smart Puglia 2020) and

competitiveness of local productions. Hereinafter is an overview of specific

instruments, which might be of interest for organic operators.

Regional Programme Contracts (Regional Reg. 17/2014 Title I Article17)

represent the primary grant scheme in support of major capital investment

projects for investors who create new jobs and safeguard existing jobs,

contributing to the consolidation or recovery of industrial activities and/or to the

creation of new businesses in the region to support investment projects. Funding

is available for investment projects, with overall eligible expenditure and costs, of

23

Large Enterprises already located in Puglia, until the resources are available.

Investment projects are aimed at the following types of initiative: a) setting up a

new production unit; b) expanding an existing production unit; c) new product

development within an existing production unit; d) introducing substantial

changes in the overall production process within an existing production unit.

Integrated Incentives Packages for Medium Enterprises (Regional Reg. 17/2014

Title II Article26) support integrated investments projects, for existing medium

enterprises, until resources are available.

Integrated Incentives Packages for Small Enterprises (Regional Reg. 17/2014

Title II Article27) support integrated investments projects, for existing small

enterprises, until resources are available.

Article II-Investment aid for SMEs (Regional Reg. 17/2014 Title II – Chapter 3

Article34) supports business investments, in numerous sectors, for: a) creation of

a new production unit; b) expansion of an existing production unit; c)

diversification of the output of an establishment to get products never made

before; d) fundamental change in the overall production process of an existing

production unit.

NESTS-New Initiatives of Enterprises (Official Bulletin Puglia Region n.90/2017),

for the creation of a new micro-enterprise in several sectors.

Microcredit provides funding to operating micro enterprises aiming at making

new investments in the region and presenting economic and asset indicators to

be considered as “non bankable” holdings.

Training Programmes for Enterprises (Official Bulletin Apulia Region n.79/2016)

finance training plans for enterprises (ESF), from 11 July 2016 until resources are

available.

Pass Enterprise (Official Bulletin Apulia Region n.68/2017) provides a voucher

for training for enterprises (ESF) from 17 July 2017 until resources are available.

TechnoNETS (Official Bulletin Apulia Region n.95/2017) support innovative

projects, of start-up and innovative small enterprises active for less than 5 years,

from 19 September 2017 until resources are available.

24

2.3 Good Practices

One of the objectives of carrying out a regional diagnosis of the organic sector

within the framework of SME Organics project is the identification of Good

Practices within each participating region. With the support of the

stakeholders, and on the basis of the regional diagnosis, partners have

conducted the required analysis for identifying the most suitable Good

Practices to be transferred from other regions, including possible synergies and

complementarities for the development of systemic Regional Organic Action

Plans covering all steps of the regional organic value chains.

Good Practices include existing support measures, methods, programmes,

management and governance models to back up the development of the

organic sector in the region (e.g. within CAP, RDP, School Fruit Scheme,

programme for milk for pupils, procurement of food – public canteens, schools,

hospitals, local authorities, etc.).

Good Practices and lessons learned have been analysed in the following main

thematic areas:

Production

Processing

Commercialization and marketing

Training and advice

Education

Organic value chain efficiency and governance

Consumption

Public procurement

The Regional Diagnosis has therefore facilitated the identification of suitable

Good Practices, as well as their synergies and complementarities for the

development of systemic Organic Action Plan.

The Good Practices are briefly described in table 4.

25

Table 4 - Good Practices in the framework of SME-Organics Project

GOOD PRACTICE DESCRIPTION LOGO

BIOL Prize has been a global benchmark for the olive oil sector since 1996 through the initiative of the “Italian Consortium for the organic farming” (CIBi) and the technical staff of the “Oil and Quality” programme. CIBi is the promoter and owner of brands such as BIOL, the most important international event related to the environmental quality of food, BIOLMIEL, international event on organic honey, BIOLWINE a brand linked to wine from organic grapes. Every year, more than 300 producers from more than 17 different countries, and from five continents, submit their best oils.

MEDAB is the Mediterranean incubator for business creation promoted by CIHEAM Bari in 2014 and specialized in the agri-food sector. MEDAB has until now "backed up" about 120 young innovators, representatives of 40 business projects also in the organic sector.

Rete Utile “Buono e Bio” brings together organic producers who can sell their products via the online platform. It offers online ordering service, home delivery and point of sale with bio-easy restaurant in Bari where customers can eat, knowing what they eat, thanks to the traceability of the local products and the selection of organic operators, members of CIBi, the promoter of this initiative.

http://www.buonoebio.1200.it/?

26

EcorNaturaSì is the greatest organic specialized retail group operating in Italy founded in January 2009. EcorNaturaSì is specialized in the entire production and distribution process and serves one thousand specialty shops throughout Italy. From producers to organic shops, or supermarkets, EcorNaturaSi values & standards are applied along this path.

The educational farm houses (Masserie didattiche) show a face of Apulian history as they put together the knowledge traditions, typical products, land flavours, and hospitality. Education on the farms empowers the agricultural practice, giving it a pedagogical role that fosters the rural multi-functionality. Around 180 regional SMEs have benefited from this initiative, including 80 certified organic operators.

Finoliva Global Service checks and processes the products supplied by the members (Cooperatives, Organization of producers, Associations) of the Olive oil producers’ National Consortium (CNO). The olives are sourced from the best growing regions in Italy, including Tuscany, Puglia, Calabria and Sicily. The average production of CNO members represents approximately 20% of the Italian national production. CNO fosters the Organic Extra Virgin Olive oil PDO “Terre del Sole”.

27

FederBio Integrity Platform (FederBio-FIP) is based on the sharing of data gathered by the different organic actors (organic farms, but also control bodies, professional firms, institutions, and stakeholders) in order to allow a quick check of all the certificates and the fairness of transactions. The advantage of FIP is to verify in real time, thanks to a "traffic light" system, if the transaction has been adjusted with respect to the operators involved and "certified fair" compared to the potential production of the supplier.

Pastificio Attilio Mastromauro Granoro combines a family tradition of pasta fostering the local high-quality products, experience and innovation. It is visible in both its range of organic pasta as well as in its range of pasta produced with 100% local wheat varieties.

BioBank Open Project – Regional Observatory for Organic Farming The Regional Observatory was set up to simplify the coordination among the players in the organic sector in Puglia region, including about 11,000 regional organic operators, the inspectors of Puglia region, 2,000 technicians/consultants of farmers, 12 certification bodies, and the consumers. The project is paperless, provides the necessary information to the players in the organic sector in real-time, and is synchronized with SIB system of MiPAAF as well as with certification bodies at national level. The platform offers to the farmers the opportunity to display and promote their products, thereby playing the role of a virtual “showcase”.

http://fip.bio/

http://www.granoro.it/en

28

Regional Social Farming Forum was established in 2016 as a direct offshoot of the National Social Farming Forum. It promotes regional participation, exchange of experiences, activities, training and information; it also follows or triggers the legislative process in the area of SF. The Regional Forum will work both to create a platform for sharing good practices and disseminating the themes of social agriculture, and as a political interlocutor with the Puglia Region and with the Local Authorities in order to draw up and present the Regional Law of Social farming.

2.4 SWOT analysis per thematic area

A SWOT analysis is a classic strategic planning tool. Using a framework of internal

strengths and weaknesses, and external opportunities and threats, it provides a

simple way to assess how a strategy can best be implemented. The tool helps

planners to be realistic about what they can achieve, and where they should focus

on.

The outcomes of the SWOT were discussed, revised and validated in the framework

of a regional stakeholders’ workshop, and the scoring exercise was carried out

through face-to-face or on-line interviews to stakeholders.

In the following paragraph, a selection, based on the score and ranking exercise, of

the main Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats for each of the 4

thematic areas addressed by the project is reported. Annex 2 shows the detailed

SWOT outcomes for the main regional supply chains and the scoring expressed in

the ranking exercise.

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Strengths

Production and processing:

o Low impact on the environment for the non-use of synthetic chemicals,

increasing the mobilization of carbon in the soil, favourable energy balance and

maintenance of biodiversity, preservation of natural cycles, rationalization of water

resources

o Computerized management of notifications and the Plans of Annual

Production (PAP)

o Certified and tracked system through control bodies and control plan

o Maintaining the fertility in the soil through the addition of organic matter,

recovery and reuse of waste biomass business, closing of the carbon cycle

Commercialization and marketing:

o Development of local, national and international organic market

o Increasing of organic agro-food share

o Development of sales channels (large retail chains and specialty stores)

o Propensity to export

Training and advice:

o Presence of specialized research institutes able to use the funds on research

o More attention to the EU research policy

Organic value chain efficiency and governance:

o Presence of the Regional Observatory for Organic Farming in Puglia Region

o Increasing attention to the organization of the organic supply chain

o Approved National Strategic Plan for the development of the organic sector

Weaknesses


o Strategies in favour of the organic sector focused almost exclusively on the

RDP Puglia 2014-2020

o Lack of nurseries that produce seeds and seedlings with the organic method

(missing search and selection), and weakness of the indigenous germplasm

maintenance system (in situ and ex situ)

30

o Scarce presence of local processors of organic products

o Strong dependence of organic farms on public support


o Lack of "almost" total organic catering or public distribution systems

o Fragmentation of bio tourist offer

o Low domestic consumption of local organic products

o Shortage of incentives to the marketing of organic products


o Insufficient training and specialized structures for operators / consultants

o Insufficient training and assistance to organic operators to respond to the lack

of information on organic farming in real time (type of production, import and

export, sales channels, sales, retails, ...)

o Plurality of information sources not organized in a coherent and coordinated

system


o Lack of cooperation and collaboration among producers to improve the supply

of organic products

o Low presence of organic products in catering

o Few, embryonic regional initiatives that put around a table regional decision

makers and the representatives of the organic sector in order to develop organic

farming

o Insufficient investments on dissemination, information, promotion, national

communication of Bio Puglia image

o Ineffective communication and dissemination of the implemented actions that

could benefit the entire organic chain

o Low ability of the primary sector to get a fair share of the value added

o Lack of standards for organic certification in catering

Opportunities


o Abundance of ecotypes that promote biodiversity in the region

31

o EU Policies (Interreg-Europe, Horizon 2020, etc.) very careful to the

development of environmentally sustainable production practices

o Priorities in the support to organic farming in Protected Natural Areas, Natura

2000 areas

o Existence of standards concerning the containment of CO2 emissions, the

reduction of nitrates and pesticides

o Improving irrigation efficiency and optimizing use of water resources

o Commercialization and marketing

o Growing attention by consumers and policy makers to healthy nutrition

sustainability

o Growing attention by consumers and policy makers to environmental

sustainability (i.e. biodiversity)

o Growing attention by consumers and policy makers to socio-cultural

sustainability (i.e. employment, living conditions, social inclusion)

o Growing attention by consumers and policy makers to economic sustainability

(i.e. profitability)


o Activated measure 01 "Knowledge transfer and information actions" in the


o Activated measure 02 "Consulting services, relief and assistance to farm

management" in the RDP Puglia 2014-2020


o Policies of RSF and ERDF to support the creation and consolidation of micro-

enterprises and internationalization, social enterprise

o Growing demand for quality goods and services for local rural economies,

multifunctionality of agriculture (social, educational farms, local crafts, farm

holidays, catering, etc.), in particular organic, growing awareness of the

multidisciplinary nature of agriculture

o Activated measure 16 "Cooperation" in the RDP Puglia 2014-2020 for the

establishment of the Operational Groups of EIP with regard to productivity and

sustainability

o Activated measure 02 "Consulting services, relief and assistance to farm

management" in the RDP Puglia 2014-2020

o Setting up of productive districts

o Enhancement of the Mediterranean Diet

32

THREATS


o Loss of local knowledge on the techniques of cultivation and processing of

agricultural products

o Impact of climate change

o Difficulties in agronomic management and plant health in the field for the

spread of new pathogens


o Purchase of retail systems unfavourable to the spread of organic products

(product diversification, continuity of supplies, etc.)

o Competition on international markets for agricultural and even organic

products


o Little collaboration between research / innovation and production

o Concrete opportunity to obtain qualifications without an appropriate

knowledge of the organic sector


o Scarce integration of agricultural and forest supply / low attitude associations

o Insufficient integration in agricultural and forest ecosystems in the various

production phases, as well as modest presence of non-agricultural phases with

higher added value (services, export, marketing, research)

o Increasing illegal and improper activities (scams and frauds)

o Lack of awareness / knowledge of the positive effects of the organic method

on the environment

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3. Looking ahead exploiting available opportunities: a

roadmap

3.1 Needs and policy gaps

According to the methodology, strategic objectives and corresponding action

points should be identified and selected for the Regional Action Plan taking into

account that they should: (1) respond to the sector’s needs and policy gaps - as

defined by the “weaknesses” and the “threats”- and (2) exploit the sector’s

potential - as defined by the “strengths” and the “opportunities”.

In other words, the SWOT analysis is very useful to generate needs and policy gaps

as defined by the “weaknesses” and the “threats”.

The most important needs and policy gaps identified for Puglia are as follows:

Support the production of organic seeds and seedlings, and the maintenance

of indigenous germplasm

Foster the increase of local processors of organic products

Promote domestic consumption of local organic products

Encourage the development of organic catering or public distribution systems

(including the setting-up of regional standards for organic certification)

Promote the marketing of organic products

Support investments in dissemination, information, promotion, national

communication of Bio Puglia image that could be beneficial to the entire

organic chain

Organize and coordinate the plurality of information sources

Increase the capacity of the primary sector to benefit from a fair share of the

value added

Diversify the organic support policies currently almost exclusively focused on


Further aggregation of bio-tourist offer

Improve training and advice structures and services for operators / consultants

Foster cooperation and collaboration among operators to improve the supply

of organic products

Encourage coordination and collaboration of decision makers and the

representatives of the organic sector

3

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Improve knowledge and dissemination of agronomic practices and pest

management for the control of new pathogens

Improve resilience to climate change

Raise awareness of environmental positive effects of the organic method

Support the preservation of local knowledge on techniques of cultivation and

processing of agricultural products

Foster the development of favourable conditions of the spread of organic in

retail system

Support the capacity of operators to compete on international markets for

agricultural and even organic products

Encourage the collaboration between the producers and research / innovation

actors

Promote appropriate knowledge of the organic sector in the education system

Strengthen activities to control frauds and scams

3.2 Aims, strategic objectives and targets

Once the needs for developing the organic sector, relevant to policy makers and

beneficiaries (organic farmers, food businesses and citizens), are identified, it is then

possible to define the aims and objectives of the Action Plan. Aims (Table 5) and

objectives can be considered in a hierarchical context, where the top-level aims

represent the overall aspirations and vision for the programme, but may be less clearly

defined, with strategic objectives and action points (operational objectives) providing

more specific details on targets and activities.

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Table 5 – Aims

1. Organic sector development and improvement – expected impacts

1.1 More integration of different funds, not only support by EARDF (RDP), but also by ERDF and ESF (OP), for more financial resources

1.2 Increase local processors of organic products

1.3 Development of the organic catering or public distribution systems

1.4 More investments in dissemination, information, promotion, communication (marketing) of Bio Puglia image that could be beneficial for the entire organic chain (also more local consumption)

1.5 More competitiveness on international markets

1.7 Improvement of training and advice services for operators/consultants

1.8 Better organization of the plurality of information sources in a coordinated and coherent system

1.9 Efficient collaboration between producers and research / innovation actor 1.10 Efficient activities to control frauds and scams

2. Contribution to regional/national/EU polices for business/market development

in the food and agriculture sector1 and the rural economy – expected impacts:

2.1 Job creation by organic production, processing, and commercialization

2.2 Improve competitiveness of SMEs through organic farming and products

2.3 Increase the internationalization of SMEs through development of organic products

3. Contribution to regional/national/EU policies for health, environment and other societal/public benefits2:

3.1 Improve the awareness of environmental and health sustainability through the organic method

3.2 Improve the resilience to climate change by increasing the environmentally- friendly and healthy products

3.3 Improve the social conditions in the marginal communities by organic farming (social farming)

1 e.g. Europe 2020 Strategy; National/regional agriculture, food and forestry sector strategies, European Regional Policy, Common Agricultural Policy, EU Policy for the promotion of farm products, research and innovation policies, national/regional sustainable development plan - green growth, job creation, etc.

2 e.g. European Regional Policy, Common Agricultural Policy, EU Water Framework, Birds and Habitats Directives; EU Promotional policy; Research and innovation polices; EU Green public procurement policy; EU School Fruit, Vegetables and Milk Scheme, EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity 2014-2020; Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD); UN Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests, etc.

36

The SWOT has been analysed combining the identified strengths and weaknesses

with opportunities and threats to identify possible strategies and corresponding

actions for the development of the sector. Some specific SO/ST/WO/WT

combinations to illustrate the reasoning behind the analysis that has been carried out,

are reported as follows:

• SO-strategy (expand): Taking advantages of existing opportunities using its

own strengths

• ST-strategy (secure): Using strengths to reduce existing threats

• WO-strategy (catch up): Eliminate weaknesses to take advantage of existing

opportunities

• WT-strategy (remove): Eliminate weaknesses to overcome upcoming threats

For the development of the regional organic sector, it is required to eliminate the

weaknesses to take advantage of the existing opportunities. Some more relevant

examples are presented below.

The threat to the organic value chain efficiency and governance “Increasing illegal and

improper activities (scams and frauds)” can be reduced by the strength “Presence of

the Regional Observatory for Organic Farming”.

The opportunity “EU Policies very careful to the development of environmentally

sustainable production practices” must foster the policies for the development of the

organic sector, not exclusively linked to RDP Puglia 2014-2020 (weakness point).

About commercialization and marketing thematic area, the weaknesses “Low

domestic consumption of local organic products” and “Lack of almost/total organic

catering or public distribution systems” can be eliminated using the opportunity

“Growing attention by consumers and policy makers to environmental, economic,

socio-cultural, healthy nutrition sustainability”.

The weakness “Insufficient training and assistance to organic operators” can be

eliminated by the opportunities of the available measure 01 "Knowledge transfer and

information actions" in RDP Puglia 2014-2020, and measure 02 "Consulting services,

relief and assistance to farm management" in RDP Puglia 2014-2020.

Regarding the organic value chain efficiency and governance, the weaknesses

“Insufficient investment on Bio Puglia image” and “Lack of specific incentives for

37

opening retail stores of regional organic products” can be eliminated using the

following opportunities:

• Policies of RSF and ERDF to support creation and consolidation of micro-

enterprises and internationalization, social enterprise;

• Growing demand for quality goods and services for local rural economies,

multifunctionality of agriculture;

• Application of measure 16 "Cooperation" in the RDP Puglia 2014-2020 for the

establishment of the Operational Groups of EIP;

• Setting up of productive districts.

The “Lack of cooperation and collaboration among producers to improve local supply”

can be eliminated using the opportunities “Activated measure 09 "Setting up of

associations and producers' organizations in RDP Puglia 2014-2020”, “Activated

measure 16 "Cooperation" in the RDP Puglia 2014-2020 for the establishment of the

Operational Groups of EIP”, “Development of social agriculture”, and “Setting up of

productive districts”.

The “Scarce capacity of the supply chain actors to attract funding over RDP” can be

eliminated by the opportunities “Setting up of productive districts”, “Policies of RSF

and ERDF to support creation and consolidation of micro-enterprises and

internationalization, social enterprise”.

The weaknesses “Lack of standards for organic certification in catering”, “Low

presence of organic products in catering”, “Few regional initiatives put around a table

decision makers and representatives”, “Ineffective communication and dissemination

of the implemented actions” can be eliminated particularly using the opportunity

“Policies of RSF and ERDF to support creation and consolidation of micro-enterprises

and internationalization, social enterprise”, and, in some cases, by the opportunity

“Enhancement of the Mediterranean Diet”.

Important efforts are needed to eliminate the weakness in commercialization and

marketing issues “Low domestic consumption of local organic products” and

overcome the following threats “Competition on international markets for agricultural

and even organic products”, and “Purchase of retail systems unfavourable to the

spread of BIO”. Equally important is to eliminate the weaknesses “Insufficient training

and assistance to organic operators” and “Insufficient training and specialized

structures for operators / consultants” to overcome the following threat “Little

collaboration between framework of research / innovation and production”.

38

The weaknesses “Lack of cooperation and collaboration among producers to improve

local supply”, and “Scarce capacity of actors of supply chain to attract funding over

RDP” must be eliminated to overcome the following threat “Scarce integration of

agricultural and forest supply / low attitude associations”.

The Organic Action Plan can include a multitude of objectives, and the process of

agreeing objectives will inevitably lead to a compromise between the varying and

sometimes competing interests of stakeholders according to their needs, the internal

strengths/weaknesses and the external opportunities/threats.

Table 6 shows the main strategic objectives and targets.

39

Table 6 - Strategic objectives and targets

Objectives (SMART1)

Target (if any)

By date? Priority2 Relates to aims3

A. To improve the knowledge base in the operators and their advisors of the organic sector (n° operators/advisors trained)

1000 2020 High 1.7

B. To strengthen the links between agri-food production, research and innovation within the organic agri-food chains (n° operators, research centres, companies, involved in partnerships: Association, Innovation European Partnership, Consortium, etc.)

5 2020 High 1.9

C. To improve the competitiveness and profitability of organic operators increasing productivity, decrease costs, increase revenues, etc. (qualitative survey)

> 2020 High

1.5, 2.1, 2.2

D. To increase local and international consumption of Apulian organic products

n° new organic shops,

increase expenditure of consumers,

n° exporters,

n° purchases weekly

ITC tool for actors of supply chain and consumers

24

>

10

>

1

2020 High 1.4, 1.5,

2.3

E. To foster the effective and efficient public support for the organic sector (i.e. Regional Observatory for Organic Farming)

budget,

n° employers involved

>

4

2018 High 1.8, 1.10

F. To increase the bio tourism as well as a link between organic farming, environment, tourism, landscape (n° new organic holiday farms)

50 2020 Medium 2.1, 3.1

G. To start up organic canteens (public and private) after the setting-up of regional standards for organic certification (n° organic canteens)

6 2020 High 1.3, 1.4, 2.1

H. To increase the local processors (n° organic processors) 50 2020 High 1.2, 1.3, 2.1

1 Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-dependent 2 1 = priority, 2 = second priority (i.e. High, Medium, Low) 3 Refer to numbers of reasons in answer to section 3.1, e.g. 1.1, 2.2 na = not applicable, nd = no data available

40

3.3 List of action points and identification of policy instruments

Actions were defined by the working group involved in the Project and were shared

by the stakeholder group. Their implementation is based on the time-frame (2018-

2020) to achieve the strategic objectives in Section 3.2. Furthermore, the

implementation of OAP will strongly depend on the regional government, and this will

be crucial to undertake the identified actions. For each action, exact deadlines and the

source are identified. The detailed list of actions, including the planned outputs, focus

area and target group, is shown in three tables for each financial source (Tables 7, 8,

9).

Table 7 - Actions co-funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural

Development (EAFRD)

Action (title, short description, detail

about policy instrument1)

Expected outputs 2

By when?

Delivered

by?

Focus area3 Target group(s)4 Relates to objectives5

1. Increase the knowledge transfer and information actions (M01 of RDP 2014-2020)*

10,000 organic participants (1.1)

2018 2020 Training/ Education

Trainers for operators in agriculture, agro-food and forest sectors, manager of territory, rural SMEs (Priority for organic issue)

A, E

2. Improve the advisory services, farm management and farm relief services (M02 RDP 2014-2020)*

10,000 organic participants (2.1), and 100 advisors of organic enterprises (2.2)

2018 2020 Training/ Advice

Trainers (2.1) and advisors (2.3) of operators in agricultural, agro-food, forest sector, managers of territory, rural SMEs (Priority for organic issue)

E, A

1 Measure (M) or Sub-Measure (Sub-M) inside the RDP of Apulia Region (Reg. UE n° 1305/2013) 2 na = not applicable, nd = no data available 3 information, training/education, research, advice, production, processing, market development, consumer promotion/information, certification/inspection, administration, capacity building, etc. 4 producers, processors, consumers, advisers, researchers, trainers, policy implementers, etc. 5 refer to letters used in Section 3.2 above

* Not dedicated only for organic farming

41



Expected outputs 2

By when?

Delivered

by?


3. Implementation of quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs (Sub-M 3.1 RDP 2014-2020)*

1,000 farmers Ongoing 2020 Certification Farmers with priority to systems of quality, including BIO

C, D

4. Promote organic products in local market and increase the awareness on their quality (Sub-M 3.2 RDP 2014-2020)*

100 min – 500 max associations of farmers

Ongoing 2020 Market development, consumer promotion/information

Associations of farmers with priority to systems of quality, including BIO

C, D, F

5. Foster investments in physical assets, improve the overall performance and sustainability of the agricultural holding (Sub-M 4.1 RDP 2014-2020)*

2,228 farmers Ongoing 2020 Production Farmers with priority to organic farmers

C

6. Foster investments in physical assets, concerning processing, marketing and/or development of agricultural products (Sub-M 4.2 RDP 2014-2020)*

23 min - 450 max enterprises

Ongoing 2020 Processing/Market development

SMEs (REC 2003/361/CE) and LEs with priority to organic operators

C, H

7. Foster investments in creation and development in non-agricultural activities”(i.e.

250 farmers /family co-workers

Ongoing 2020 Market development/Consumer promotion

Farmers/family co-workers

F, D

42



Expected outputs 2

By when?

Delivered

by?


holiday farms) (Sub-M. 6.4 RDP 2014-2020)*

8. Setting-up of producer groups and organisations (M09 RDP 2014-2020)*

10 min organizations

2018 2020 Marketing development

Producer groups and organisations with priority to farm increasing the re-use of waste for the production of organic products

C

9. Development of land cultivated in organic farming (M11 RDP 2014-2020)

50,000 ha (Sub-M 11.1) + 88.667 ha (Sub-M 11.2)

Ongoing 2025 Production Farmers E

10. Development of Co-operation, particularly to support the European Innovation Partnership by operational groups for agricultural productivity and sustainability (Sub-M 16.1-16.2 RDP 2014-2020)*

60 Operating Groups

Ongoing 2020 Research/Capacity building

Operating Groups including farmers, research centres, advisory services and agri-food company involved in the agriculture and food sector

B, C, E, H

11. Development of Co-operation among small operators in organising joint work processes and sharing facilities and resources and for the development and/or marketing of tourism services related

30-100 beneficiaries

Ongoing 2020 Market development, Consumer promotion/information

Consortium, Cooperative, Association of farmers established in net contract

C, B, F, D

43



Expected outputs 2

By when?

Delivered

by?


to rural tourism (Sub-M 16.3 RDP 2014-2020)*

12. Development of horizontal and vertical Co-operation, among supply chain actors for the establishment and the development of short supply chain and local markets (Sub-M 16.4 RDP 2014-2020)*

na 2018 2020 Market development, Consumer promotion /information

Organization of farmers, Associations of OP, Enterprises network

C, B, F, D

44

Table 8: Actions funded by the Regional autonomous budget of Puglia Region

Action (title and short description,

detail about policy

instrument)

Outputs expected

By when?

Delivered by?

Focus area6 Target

group(s)7

Relates to objectives

8

1. Dissemination and promotion of a sustainable model of local nutrition (local high quality agri-food products as well as organic products ) within the Mediterranean diet in terms of health, environment, economy, and welfare (Programme “The Apulian lifestyle for a happy long life” - Regional action financed by Regional autonomous budget)*

1,050 promoters

Ongoing 2020 Consumer promotion/information

Consumers, Trainers

D, E, F, G

2. Strengthening and development of the Regional Observatory for the organic agriculture (Regional action financed by Regional autonomous budget)

10,000 organic operators, and consumers

Ongoing 2020 Information, training/education, advice, market development, consumer promotion/information, certification/inspection, administration, capacity building

Producers, processors, consumers, advisers, policy implementers

E, A, D

Table 9: Actions co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and the European Social

Fund (ESF)

6 information, training/education, research, advice, production, processing, market development, consumer promotion/information, certification/inspection, administration, capacity building, etc. 7 producers, processors, consumers, advisers, researchers, trainers, policy implementers, etc. 8 refer to letters used in Section 3.2 above

* Not dedicated only to organic farming

45

Action (title, short

description, detail about

policy instrument9)

Outputs expected

By when?

Delivered by?

Focus area10 Target

group(s)11 Relates to

objectives12

1. Facilitate business investments (“Regional Programme Contract”, Reg 17/2014 Title II, Chapter 1, Art.17, OP ERDF-ESF 2014-2020)*

25 million euros for investments by Large Enterprises (LE)

Ongoing Until resources are exhausted

Processing, market development, training and advice, Research & Innovation

Processors, retailers, researchers

C, D

2. Setting up integrated incentives packages, to a new production unit, expanding an existing production unit, for development of new products (PIA Medium and Small Enterprises - “Integrated Aid Programme”, Reg. 17/2014 Title II, Articles 26-27, OP ERDF-ESF 2014-2020)*

18 million euros for investments by MSEs


Processing, market development, training and advice, Research & Innovation

Processors, retailers, researchers

C, D

3. Supporting

business

investments,

contributing to

consolidation or

creation of new

production unit

(“Article II-

Investment Aid

1000 Micro and MSEs


Market development Processors, retailers, food service, wholesalers

C, D

9 Reg., Fund, Programme, etc. inside the ROP – ERDF-ESF 10 information, training/education, research, advice, production, processing, market development, consumer promotion/information, certification/inspection, administration, capacity building, etc. 11 producers, processors, consumers, advisers, researchers, trainers, policy implementers, etc. 12 refer to letters used in Section 3.2 above

* Not dedicated only to organic farming

46



policy instrument9)

Outputs expected

By when?

Delivered by?

Focus area10 Target


objectives12

for SMEs”, Reg.

17/2014 Title

II-Chapter 3,

OP ERDF-ESF

2014-2020)*

4. Starting a new

business, and

facilitating self-

employment

(Programme

“NETS-NEW

Initiatives of

Enterprises”,

OBAR

n.147/2017,

OP – ERD-ESF

2014-2020) *

300 Start up and Micro Enterprises (ME)


Production, Processing, Market development

Processors, retailers

A,B,C,D,F,G

5. Finance training

plans for

enterprises

(“Training

Programme for

enterprises”,

OBAR

n.79/2016, OP

ERDF-ESF

2014-2020)*

14-50 MSMEs 11 July 2016

Until resources are exhausted

Training Processors, retailers

A

6. Give a voucher

for training for

enterprises

(Programme

“Pass

enterprises”,

OBAR

n.68/2017, OP

ERDF-ESF

2014-2020)*

2,000-2,857 MSMEs

17 July 2017

31 July 2018

(Until resources are exhausted)

Training Processors, retailers

A

7. Implementation innovative projects for biotechnologies to agriculture, and to food security (health) and supply chain in agro-food systems (Programme “TECHNO-

20 Innovative Startups and small enterprises (SE)


Processing, administration

Processors, e-commerce, social networks

B, C, H

47



policy instrument9)

Outputs expected

By when?

Delivered by?

Focus area10 Target


objectives12

NESTS”, OBAR n.95/2017, OP ERDF-ESF 2014-2020)*

8. Foster

instruments of

financial

engineering to

secure funding

to operating

enterprises

(“Microcredit”,

OP ERDF-ESF

2014-2020) *

200 Micro

Enterprises (ME)

Ongoing Until resources

are exhausted

Production,

Processing, Market

development,

Administration

Producers,

processors,

retailers

C,D,F,G

48

3.4 Follow-up and outlook

The regional policy context positively contributes to the development and

implementation of the Organic Action Plan of Puglia region, particularly, the

production sector. In fact, the regional policies have been favouring the growth of

the organic sector in terms of surfaces and number of operators for about twenty

years, primarily through the measure for organic farming of the Rural Development

Programmes (RDP); thanks to this, Puglia is one of the leading regions in the Italian

organic sector.

In RDP 2014-2020, measure 11 includes subsidy for the conversion from

conventional to organic farming, which is fostering a major growth of the surfaces

and number of operators.

In some measures of RDP, there are priorities for organic operators in the selection

criteria, in particular:

Sub-measure 3.1 “Support for accession for the first time to quality schemes”.

Sub-measure 3.2 “Support for information and promotion activities carried out

by producer groups in the internal market”.

Sub-measure 4.1 “Investments in physical assets which improve the overall

performance and sustainability of the agricultural holding, single and associated”.

Sub-measure 4.2 “Investments in physical assets which concern the processing,

marketing and/or development of agricultural products in SMEs and LEs”, operating

in the processing / marketing of organic agricultural products in Puglia (referred to

in Annex I of the Treaty -TFUE- both in and out of the production process, excluding

fishery products, as better specified in Annex I to Reg. (EU) 1308/2013); therefore,

some holdings cannot be eligible for this measure, such as cheese factories, bakeries,

pasta factories, meat processing centres, etc., which process organic raw material

and certify their foodstuffs.

Sub-measure 4.4 “Support for non-productive investments linked to the

achievement of agri-environment-climate objectives”, offers priority to public or

private beneficiaries that manage holdings which cultivate following the organic

farming method.

Sub-measure 9.1 “Setting-up of producer groups and organisations” offers

priority for producers who make the greatest contribution to the efficient and

rational use of agricultural waste and residues for the production of renewable

energy or for products from organic farming.

49

The activities of ROP ERDF, while allocating potential financial opportunities to

improve processing and marketing processes, also provide important resources to

SMEs for research, promotion and training, but unfortunately do not give specific

priority to those enterprises that process organic products. It should be noted that

also agricultural and agri-food SMEs (agricultural enterprises, agricultural production

cooperatives, etc.), although producing products in Annex I, could use the funds

made available by OP ERDF 2014-2020, but for their ATECO code, they are not

directly eligible for financing. More generally, concrete opportunities concern people

who are able to join in non-agricultural holdings and consortia, such as service

companies for training, research, promotion (in this context, agricultural enterprises

could receive advantageous development opportunities as members or customers of

the same companies).

The recommendations for regional policymakers to improve the current policy

environment can be synthetized as follows.

The experience gained in the past two years has highlighted the relevance and the

effectiveness of a participatory approach of all stakeholders involved in the regional

development policies. This is instrumental for establishing actions and measures for

the promotion of training, knowledge, research, innovation, internationalization,

competitiveness and sustainability in SMEs.

Particularly, it would be desirable that other RDP measures might give the priority in

the selection criteria to agricultural and agri-food enterprises when they convert to

organic farming method, and certify their products (see the measures that meet the

priority 4 of RDP that aim to improve the biodiversity, eco-sustainable cultivation

techniques, rationalization of the use of natural resources, such as the measure 5.2 "

Investments for the restoration of agricultural land and production potential

damaged by natural disasters, adverse climatic events and catastrophic events.", and

the measure 16 "Cooperation").

Puglia Region should keep on supporting the current actions for the ordinary

management of the Regional Observatory for the Organic Farming, guaranteeing its

continuity over time; moreover, in the medium term, Puglia Region could foster the

financing of pilot projects for the implementation of new activities (software for the

organic farm management and traceability, regional innovation network, fairs and

exhibitions for the promotion of organic products, cooking events and demo field

50

visits to students, BIO territorial brand, etc.) to fulfil the broad mission of the

Regional Observatory.

In the medium term, it would be a good suggestion that OAP be generally utilized by

policy makers as good model or driver for the drafting of the new regional

programme post-2020.

It is also recommended to establish a new work table composed of all stakeholders

who represent the organic sector. It shall include the social-economic partnerships

of the main European funds (ERDF and EAFRD), the stakeholders of the Project, the

managers of the involved Departments of the Regional Administration, with the aim

of working together to draft a new integrated and shared Programme using the

European, National and Regional funds at best while respecting the process of

demarcation and of efficiency of various funds in compliance with the guidelines

proposed by the EU Commission.

Finally, a relevant recommendation directed to policy makers is to implement a

specific action of dissemination and promotion of the opportunities offered by the

EU, National and Regional Programmes, which are not well known by the economic

operators who therefore, at present, loose opportunities for improving the

competitiveness and the sustainability of their enterprises.

51

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http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docgener/guides/blue_book/blueguide_en.pdf

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http://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture

http://tporganics.eu/organic-operational-groups

http://tporganics.eu/organic-operational-groups

http://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/EN/Publications/OrganicFarmingLookingForwards.pdf?__blob=publicationFile

http://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/EN/Publications/OrganicFarmingLookingForwards.pdf?__blob=publicationFile

http://www.ifoam.bio/sites/default/files/ifoam_norms_july_2014_t.pdf

52

• IFOAM (2015). Transforming food & farming – An organic vision for Europe in 2030. Brussels : IFOAM EU. www.ifoam-eu.org/sites/default/files/413-ifoam-vision-web.pdf

• IFOAM (2016). Organic 3.0: For truly sustainable farming & consumption. 2nd updated ed. Bonn: IFOAM, Organics International. www.ifoam.bio/sites/default/files/organic3.0_v.2_web_0.pdf

• IFOAM (2017). Transforming food & farming – Making It Happen: An organic roadmap to sustainable food and farming systems in Europe. Brussels: IFOAM. www.ifoam-eu.org/sites/default/files/ifoameu_vision_making_it_happen_leaflet_final_201708.pdf.

• Lampkin N.H, Schmid O., Dabbert S., Michelsen J., Zanoli R. eds. (2008). Organic Action Plan Evaluation Toolbox (ORGAPET). Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth and Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Frick. orgapet.orgap.org

• Meredith S., Lampkin N., Schmid O. (2018), Organic Action Plans, development, implementation and evaluation, A resource manual for the organic food and farming sector. 2nd ed. In the framework of Interreg Europe SME-Organics, IFOAM EU Group, Brussels ISBN: 978-3-03736-081-1.

• Osservatorio Regionale per l’Agricoltura Biologica della Regione Puglia, https://agri.iamb.it/agri16/

• MiPAAF (2016). Piano strategico nazionale per lo sviluppo del sistema biologico. https://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/10014

• Regione Puglia (2014). Programma di Sviluppo Rurale Puglia FEASR 2014-2020. http://psr.regione.puglia.it/

• Regione Puglia (2014). Programma Operativo Regionale Puglia FESR-FSE 2014-2020. http://por.regione.puglia.it/

• European Union (2013). Regulation No 1300/2013 on the Cohesion Fund. eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1300&from=EN

• European Union (2013). Regulation No 1301/2013 on the European Regional Development Fund and on specific provisions concerning the Investment for growth and jobs goal. eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1301&from=EN

• European Union (2013). Regulation No 1304/2013 on the European Social Fund. eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1304&from=en

• European Union (2013). Regulation No 1305/2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1305&from=EN

• European Union (2013). Regulation No 1307/2013 establishing rules for direct payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the common agricultural policy. eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1307&from=EN

• European Union (2013). Regulation No 1308/2013 of establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products. eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1308&from=EN

• European Union (2013). Regulation No 508/2014 on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32014R0508&from=EN

• Sanders J. Stolze M., Padel S. (eds.) (2011). Use and efficiency of public support measures addressing organic farming. Braunschweig: Thünen Institut,.

http://www.ifoam-eu.org/sites/default/files/413-ifoam-vision-web.pdf

http://www.ifoam.bio/sites/default/files/organic3.0_v.2_web_0.pdf

http://orgapet.orgap.org/



https://ifoameu.sharepoint.com/sites/intranet/advocacy/Other/Organic%20Action%20Plan/SME%20organic%20method%20guide/eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1301&from=EN


http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1304&from=en

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1304&from=en








53

ec.europa.eu/agriculture/sites/agriculture/files/external-studies/2012/organic-farming-support/full_text_en.pdf

• Sanders J. (ed.) (2013). Evaluation of the EU legislation on organic farming. Braunschweig: Thünen Institute. ec.europa.eu/agriculture/sites/agriculture/files/evaluation/market-and-income-reports/2013/organic-farming/fulltext_en.pdf

• Schader C., Lampkin N., Christie M., Nemecek T., Gaillard G., Stolze M. (2013). Evaluation of cost-effectiveness of organic farming support as an agri-environmental measure at Swiss agricultural sector level. Land Use Policy, 31: 196-208

• Schmid O., Dabbert S., Eichert C., Gonzalvez V., Lampkin N., Michelsen J., Slabe A., Stokkers R., Stolze M., Stopes C., Wollmuthová P., Vairo D., Zanoli R. (2008). Organic Action Plans. Development, implementation and evaluation. A resource manual for the organic food and farming sector. Brussels: Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Frick and IFOAM EU. www.orgap.org

• Schmid O., Padel S., Lampkin N., Meredith S. (2015). Organic Action Plans: A guide for stakeholders. Brussels : IFOAM EU. www.ifoam-eu.org/sites/default/files/ifoameu_organic_action_plans_guide_report_2015.pdf

• Scotland Government (2016). Organic Ambitions: An Action Plan for organic food and farming in Scotland 2016-2020. Edinburgh: Scotland Government. www.sruc.ac.uk/info/120636/scottish_organic_action_plan

• Stolze M., Sanders J., Kasperczyk N., Madsen G., Meredith S. (2016). CAP 2014-2020: Organic farming and the prospects for stimulating public goods. Brussels : IFOAM EU. www.ifoam-eu.org/sites/default/files/ifoameu_study_organic_farming_cap_2014_2020_final.pdf.

• Stolze M., Zanoli R., Meredith S. (2016). Organic in Europe: expanding beyond a niche. In: Meredith S., Willer H. (eds.). Organic in Europe. Prospects and developments 2016. Brussels: IFOAM EU, and Frick: Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), p. 12-19.

• Willer H., Lernoud J. (eds.) (2018). The World of Organic Agriculture. Statistics and Emerging Trends 2018. Frick: Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL); Bonn: IFOAM, Organics International.

https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/sites/agriculture/files/external-studies/2012/organic-farming-support/full_text_en.pdf

https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/sites/agriculture/files/external-studies/2012/organic-farming-support/full_text_en.pdf

https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/sites/agriculture/files/evaluation/market-and-income-reports/2013/organic-farming/fulltext_en.pdf

https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/sites/agriculture/files/evaluation/market-and-income-reports/2013/organic-farming/fulltext_en.pdf

http://www.orgap.org/

http://www.ifoam-eu.org/sites/default/files/ifoameu_organic_action_plans_guide_report_2015.pdf

http://www.ifoam-eu.org/sites/default/files/ifoameu_organic_action_plans_guide_report_2015.pdf

http://www.ifoam-eu.org/sites/default/files/ifoameu_study_organic_farming_cap_2014_2020_final.pdf

http://www.ifoam-eu.org/sites/default/files/ifoameu_study_organic_farming_cap_2014_2020_final.pdf

54

Annexes

Annex 1. Actions for the development of the organic sector in the Region of

Puglia

Annex 2. Complete SWOT analysis

Annex 3 – Puglia’s regional stakeholders list

56

Annex 1. Actions for the development of the organic sector in the Region of Puglia

Actions

Focus areas Target groups

Info

rmat

ion

Tra

inin

g/e

du

cati

on

Re

sear

ch

Ad

vic

e

Pro

du

ctio

n

Pro

cess

ing

Mar

ke

t d

ev

elo

pm

en

t

Co

nsu

me

r/p

rom

oti

on

Ce

rtif

icat

ion

/in

spe

ctio

n

Ad

min

istr

atio

n

Cap

acit

y b

uild

ing

Pro

du

cers

Pro

cess

ors

Co

nsu

me

rs

Tra

ine

rs

Ad

vis

ers

Re

sear

che

rs

Re

taile

rs

Po

licy

imp

lem

en

ters

1. Increase the knowledge transfer and information actions*

2. Improve the advisory services, farm management and farm relief services*

3. Implementation of quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

4. Promote organic products in local market and to increase the awareness of their quality*

5. Foster investments in physical assets, improve the overall performance and sustainability of the agricultural holding*

6. Foster investments in physical assets, concern the processing, marketing and/or development of agricultural products*

7. Foster investments in creation and development in non-agricultural activities”(i.e. holiday farms)*

8. Setting-up of producer groups and organisations *

9. Development of land cultivated in organic farming

10. Development of Co-operation, particularly to support the European Innovation Partnership by operational groups for agricultural productivity and sustainability*

11. Development of Co-operation among small operators in organising joint work processes and sharing facilities and resources and for the development and/or marketing of tourism services relating to rural tourism*

12. Development of horizontal and vertical Co-operation, among supply chain actors for the establishment and the development of short supply chain and local markets*

57

Action

Focus areas Target groups

Info

rmat

ion

Tra

inin

g/e

du

cati

on

Re

sear

ch

Ad

vic

e

Pro

du

ctio

n

Pro

cess

ing

Mar

ke

t d

ev

elo

pm

en

t C

on

sum

er/

pro

mo

tio

n

Ce

rtif

icat

ion

/in

spe

cti

on

A

dm

inis

trat

ion

Cap

acit

y b

uild

ing

Pro

du

cers

Pro

cess

ors

Co

nsu

me

rs

Tra

ine

rs

Ad

vis

ers

Re

sear

che

rs

Re

taile

rs

Po

licy

im

ple

me

nte

rs

1. Dissemination and promotion of a sustainable model of local nutrition (local high quality agro-food products as well as organic products) inside of Mediterranean diet in term of healthy, environment, economy, and welfare*

2. Strengthening and development of the Regional Observatory for the organic agriculture

1. Facilitate business investments*

2. Setting up integrated incentives packages, to a new production unit, expanding an existing production unit, for development new product*

3. Supporting business investments, contributing to consolidation or creation

new production unit*

4. Starting a new business, and facilitating self-employment *

5. Finance training plans for enterprises *

6. Give a voucher for training for enterprises*

7. Implementation innovative projects for biotechnologies to agriculture, and to food security (health) in agro-food systems by technology investments*

8. Foster instruments of financial engineering to secure funding to operating enterprises*

* Not dedicated only for organic farming

Act

ion

s fu

nd

ed b

y th

e R

egio

nal

auto

no

mo

us

bu

dge

t o

f A

pu

lia R

egio

n

Act

ion

s co

-fu

nd

ed b

y th

e ER

DF

and

the

Euro

pea

n S

oci

al F

un

d (

ESF)

58

Annex 2. Complete SWOT analysis

SWOT analysis of Puglia’s organic sector for thematic area and supply chain

STRENGTHS

Average value (1-5)*

Thematic area Item

Pro

du

ctio

n a

nd

pro

cess

ing

Ge

ne

ral

Low impact on the environment for the non-use of synthetic chemicals, increasing the mobilization of carbon in the soil, favourable energy balance and maintenance of biodiversity, preservation of natural cycles, rationalization of water resources

4,3

Reducing CO2 emission into the atmosphere 3,6

Maintaining the fertility in the soil through the addition of organic matter, recovery and reuse of waste biomass business, closing of the carbon cycle

4,1

Soil protection by hydrogeological risk, erosion phenomena and risk of desertification

3,7

Certified and tracked system through control bodies and control plan 4,2

59

Computerized management of notifications and Plans of Annual Production (PAP)

4,3

Increasing transformation of microenterprises into small enterprises 3,5

Agricultural production structure historically consolidated, strong and growing importance in the national context

3,7

Rural landscape protection policies careful to organic 3,3

Enabled the measure 11 "Organic Farming" of the RDP 2014-2020, with payments per hectare often at the maximum level allowed by the CAP

3,5

Fo

r su

pp

ly c

ha

in

Cereals Consolidated primary production 4,2

Fruit and vegetables

High sales of organic products 4,2

Presence of some excellences in the processing 3,6

Olive oil

High organic olive oil quality 4,4

Existence of excellence production areas 4,4

Wine Over the last 4-5 years, growing knowledge and experience of Puglia’s processors on the pro duction techniques

3,9

60

Dairy

Co

mm

erc

iali

zati

on

an

d m

ark

eti

ng

Ge

ne

ral

Enhancement of the chain through the recognition of a premium price

3,9

Ongoing trial of a traceability system from production to consumption (Federbio Integrity Platform)

3,3

Increasing organic share of agri-food 4,3

Development of sales channels (large retail chains and specialty stores)

4,3

Increasing transformation of microenterprises into small enterprises 3,7

Development of local, national and international organic market 4,4

Propensity to export 4,2

Development of organic holiday farm 3,1

Fo

r su

pp

ly c

ha

in

Cereals


Supply chain agreements that guarantee the sales 3,8

Olive oil Events for the quality enhancement: Biol International Prize 3,8

Wine Increased awareness of the organic wine market potential 3,7

61

Increasing spread of certification on the whole organic supply chain reported on the label as distinctive feature (besides the corporate brand)

4,3

Dairy

Tra

inin

g a

nd

ad

vic

e

Ge

ne

ral

Presence of specialized research institutes able to use the funds on research

3,7

More attention to the EU research policy 3,3

Fo

r su

pp

ly c

ha

in

Cereals


Olive oil

Wine

Dairy

62

Org

an

ic v

alu

e c

ha

in e

ffic

ien

cy a

nd

go

ve

rna

nce

Ge

ne

ral

Presence of the Regional Observatory for Organic Farming in Puglia Region

3,9

High public financial support for the OF since 1994 (EU funds, national and regional) well used by the actors of the agro-food supply chain

3,4

Approved National Strategic Plan for the development of the organic sector

3,6

Increasing attention to the organization of the organic supply chain 3,7

Fo

r su

pp

ly c

ha

in

Cereals Supply chain agreements that guarantee reliable producer price 4,0


Olive oil

Wine

Dairy

Note: * The highest importance according to a scale from 1 to 5

63

SWOT analysis of Puglia organic sector for thematic area and supply chain

WEAKNESSES


Thematic areas Item

Pro

du

ctio

n a

nd

pro

cess

ing

Ge

ne

ral

Difficulty in the management of fortuitous chemical contamination by pesticides from a neighbouring farm

3,6

Difficulty in conversion to organic farming from a technical and economic point of view

3,2

Scarce presence of local processors of organic products 3,9

Limited certified production volumes 3,6

Poor soil fertility due to insufficient organic matter in the soil 3,2

Higher cost for the conversion of conventional farm in organic, in particular, for the certification and business management

3,6

Strong dependence of organic farms on public support 3,9

Strategies in favour of the organic sector focused almost exclusively on the RDP Puglia 2014-2020

4,3

64

Lack of nurseries that produce seeds and seedlings in organic (missing search and selection), and weakness of the indigenous germplasm maintenance system (in situ and ex situ)

4,1

Fo

r su

pp

ly c

ha

in

Cereals Limited specialized processing 3,4

Very few excellences in processing 3,2


Lack of specialization in processing 3,8

Chain of winter vegetables saturated and undiversified 3,7

Olive oil Dispersion of the mills in the area 4,3

Wine

Dairy Lack of fresh and processed production 4,3

Poor development of organic livestock 4,8

Co

mm

erc

iali

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ark

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Ge

ne

ral

Deficient and insufficient logistics 3,9

Low capacity on local, national and international markets 3,6

Low domestic consumption of local organic products 4,2

Lack of "almost" total organic catering or public distribution systems 4,3

Fragmentation of bio tourist offer 4,3

Misalignment between agricultural production and demand for consumption

3,9

Shortage of incentives to the marketing of organic products 4,2

Poor diversification of quality and prices of products 3,8

65

Pe

rFo

r su

pp

ly c

ha

in

Cereals


Little or no enhancement, outside of the local market, of certified fresh product

3,3

Olive oil

Small-sized companies that promote excessive production fragmentation; poor marketing potential of the supply chain companies

4,4

Little or no attention to organic production sector of the associations or organizations of regional producers

3,8

Low level of vertical coordination and lack of efficiency and effectiveness of the distribution network

4,3

Existence of too many corporate brands that are not well skilled on quality

4,0

Wine Organic production competitors from neighbouring countries (as well as Spain, France and Greece) with the most competitive prices but without the fragmentation of the Italian market

3,6

Dairy

Tra

inin

g

an

d

ad

vic

e

Ge

ne

ral

Insufficient training and assistance to organic operators to respond to the lack of information on organic farming (type of production, import and export, sales channels, sales, retails, ...)

4,3

66

Plurality of information sources not organized in a coherent and coordinated system

3,9

Insufficient training and specialized structures for operators / consultants

4,5

Fo

r su

pp

ly c

ha

in

Cereals


Olive oil

Wine

Dairy

Org

an

ic v

alu

e c

ha

in

eff

icie

ncy

an

d

go

ve

rna

nce

Ge

ne

ral

Insufficient investments on dissemination, information, promotion, national communication of Bio Puglia picture

4,3

Lack of specific incentives for the opening of retail stores of regional organic products

3,8

Lack of cooperation and collaboration among producers to improve the supply of organic products

4,5

Shortage of staff dedicated to the supervision 3,2

67

Low ability of the primary sector to benefit in a fair share from the value added

4,2

Scarce capacity of actors of supply chain to attract public and private funding sources over RDP

4,1

No immediate closure of the validation procedure of Plan of Annual Production before issuance of the certificate produced by the CB

3,3

Impossibility of access of all stakeholders to the Regional Data Bank Biobank (Observatory)

3,8

Lack of standards for organic certification in catering 4,2

Low presence of organic products in catering 4,5

Few, embryonic regional initiatives that put around a table regional decision makers and the representatives of the organic in order to develop the organic sector

4,5

Ineffective communication and dissemination of the implemented actions that could benefit the entire organic chain

4,3

Scarce political role of representatives of players of the supply chain 3,9

Fo

r su

pp

ly c

ha

in

Cereals


Olive oil

68

Wine

Dairy


69


OPPORTUNITIES


Thematic areas Item

Pro

du

ctio

n a

nd

pro

cess

ing

Ge

ne

ral

Abundance of ecotypes that promote biodiversity in the region 4,8

Improving irrigation efficiency and optimizing use of water resources 4,1

EU Policies (Interreg-Europe, Horizon 2020, etc.) very careful to the development of environmentally sustainable production practices

4,6

Priorities in the support to organic farming in Protected Natural Areas, Natura 2000 areas 4,6

Existence of standards concerning the containment of CO2 emissions, the reduction of nitrates and pesticides

4,4

Fo

r su

pp

ly c

ha

in

Cereals

Growth of the cultivation of indigenous varieties and retrieved 4,5

Environmental conditions favourable to organic farming (large areas of extensive agriculture)

4,5

Public funding of the ERDF for the food industry of the chain (pasta, bakery products, food preparation, etc.).

4,1

70


Public funding of the ERDF for the food industry of the chain (plates preparation, preserves, etc.).

4,2

Olive oil Important role of the cooperative/associational system in olive-oil supply chain in Puglia 3,8

Wine

Land consolidation process characterized by a significant increase in medium-sized enterprise

3,7

Qualitative improvement and progressive integration of wines with geographical indications

4,2

Dairy

Excellent quality of fresh and processed products 3,9

Growth of demand for quality and organic production 4,0

Environmental conditions favourable to organic farming (large areas of extensive agriculture)

4,6

Co

mm

erc

iali

zati

on

a

nd

ma

rke

tin

g

Ge

ne

ral

Growing attention by consumers and policy makers to environmental sustainability (i.e. biodiversity)

4,7

Growing attention by consumers and policy makers to economic sustainability (i.e. profitability)

4,1

Growing attention by consumers and policy makers to the socio-cultural sustainability (i.e. employment, living conditions, social inclusion)

4,2

Growing attention by consumers and policy makers to healthy-nutrition sustainability 4,8

71

Fo

r su

pp

ly c

ha

in

Cereals

Growth of high nutritional value productions (e.g. gluten) 4,1

Public funding of the ERDF for the food industry of the chain (pasta, bakery products, food preparation, etc.).

3,8


Relevant export of fresh vegetables and preserved quality 4,2

Public funding of the ERDF for the food industry of the chain (plates preparation, preserves, etc.).

4,0

Olive oil

Wine

Internationalization process, shown by an increase in exports, thanks also to the support given by the CMO resources for the promotion of wine on non-EU markets

4,2

Large companies that complement the offer of wines including organic ones 4,0

Dairy

Tra

inin

g

an

d a

dv

ice

Ge

ne

ral Activated measure 01 "Knowledge transfer and information actions" in the RDP Puglia

2014-2020 4,0

Activated measure 02 "Consulting services, relief and assistance to farm management" in the RDP Puglia 2014-2020

3,9

72

Fo

r su

pp

ly c

ha

in

Cereals


Olive oil

Wine

Dairy

Org

an

ic v

alu

e c

ha

in e

ffic

ien

cy a

nd

g

ov

ern

an

ce

Ge

ne

ral

Activated measure 02 "Consulting services, relief and assistance to farm management" in the RDP Puglia 2014-2020

4,1

Policies of RSF and ERDF to support the creation and consolidation of micro-enterprises and internationalization, social enterprise

4,3

Growing demand for quality goods and services for local rural economies, multifunctionality of agriculture (agricultural social, educational farms, local crafts, farm holidays, catering, etc.), in particular organic, growing awareness of the multidisciplinary nature of agriculture

4,3

Activated measure 09 "Establishment of associations and producers' organizations in the RDP Puglia 2014-2020

3,9

Activated measures 16 "Cooperation" in the RDP Puglia 2014-2020 for the establishment of the Operational Groups of EIP with regard to productivity and sustainability

4,3

Setting up of productive districts 4,1

73

Dissemination of short chain and KM 0 production 3,8

Adoption of the compliance regime for imports 3,9

Interprofessional agreements 3,6

Enhancement of the Mediterranean Diet 4,0

Capacity of production system to derive more value-added using the trademark "Quality Products" of Puglia as a voluntary quality system in accordance with EU Reg. N.1305/2013

3,6

Development of the social agriculture 4,0

Growing attention to the introduction of sustainability budget in the supply chain 3,7

Fo

r su

pp

ly c

ha

in

Cereals


Olive oil

Wine

Dairy


74


THREATS


Thematic areas Item

Pro

du

ctio

n a

nd

pro

cess

ing

Ge

ne

ral

Difficulties in agronomic management and plant health in the field for the spread of new pathogens

3,8

Impact of climate change 4,0

Loss of local knowledge on the techniques of cultivation and processing of agricultural products 4,1

Competition of the RDP 2014-2020 measures for other environmentally sustainable production systems

3,1

Fo

r su

pp

ly

cha

in

Cereals

Wheat milling industry and Apulian pasta Industry needs to resort to the supply of durum wheat from foreign markets to cover its raw material requirements

4,0

High degree of fragmentation of the production system and discontinuity of supply; Not always are the Apulian farms able to guarantee the quantity and quality of raw material required

3,8

75

In the phase of processing and marketing, structural limits do not allow to achieve economies of scale, low concentration of supply, qualitative shortage of storage facilities (which are often not suitable to store the raw material in a differentiated manner depending on the quality, resulting in a poor product homogeneity and limited differentiation of the lots), and over-capacity of the mill grinding with respect to the real national needs which leads to underutilization of milling facilities

4,2


Olive oil

Wine Declining trend of areas under vines 3,9

Dairy

Co

mm

erc

iali

zati

on

an

d

ma

rke

tin

g

Ge

ne

ral Competition on international markets for agricultural and even organic products 4,0

Maintaining the equivalence regime for imports 3,9

Purchase of retail systems unfavourable to the spread of organics (product diversification, constant supplies, etc.)

4,1

Fo

r su

pp

ly

cha

in Cereals Few chain agreements on supply of high quality standards products 4,2


Growing expansion of modern distribution as the main marketing channel of vegetables that finds the supply chain unprepared for inefficient company size and structural dimensions, and weak organization

3,8

76

Olive oil

Wine Competition from non-EU (i.e. Chile, Australia) products on traditional markets 4,2

Olive oil

Tra

inin

g a

nd

ad

vic

e

Ge

ne

ral

Little collaboration between the framework of research / innovation and production 4,4

Concrete opportunity to obtain qualifications without an adequate knowledge of the organic sector

3,7

Difficulty of translating methods of conducting business acquired in other areas (input substitution and / or technical means, etc)

3,3

Fo

r su

pp

ly c

ha

in

Cereals


Olive oil Poor skills in communicating and promoting effectively the quality of the product abroad in the international markets

4,2

Wine

Dairy

77

Org

an

ic v

alu

e c

ha

in e

ffic

ien

cy a

nd

go

ve

rna

nce

Ge

ne

ral

Lack of awareness / knowledge of the positive effects of the organic method on the environment

3,9

Scarce integration of agricultural supply and forest / low attitude associations 4,4

Insufficient integration in agricultural and forest ecosystems in the various production phases, as well as modest presence of non-agricultural phases with higher added value (services, export, marketing, research)

4,3

Lack of social and economic infrastructure for enterprises 3,8

Increasing illegal and improper activities (scams and fraud) 4,3

Fo

r su

pp

ly c

ha

in

Cereals

High variability of the value of wheat production, determined by significant changes in the annual levels of production but above all a significant price volatility

3,6

Weak vertical coordination due to insufficient contractual integration between farms and milling industry

4,0


Low aggregation of supply for a low propensity to associations 4,6

Olive oil Low level of vertical coordination and low efficiency and effectiveness of the distribution channel

4,1

Wine

Dairy


78

Annex 3 – Puglia’s regional stakeholders list

N° Stakeholder’s name Organic specialisation

Stakeholder type

Working areas

P&P

MKT

T&A

VC

I E T

1 Regione Puglia – Osserv. Reg. Agr. Biol. organic regional policy maker X X X X

2 Università di Bari non organic university X X

3 FederBio – Puglia organic association (local branch of national ass.) X X X X

4 BioOrganica Italia srl organic enterprise (processed products) X X

5 Finoliva Global Service SpA mixed enterprise (olive oil) X X

6 Cantine Polvanera mixed enterprise (wine) X X

7 Pastificio A. M. Granoro srl mixed enterprise (cereals and pasta) X X X X

8 Capurso Azienda Casearia ‘Gioiella’ srl mixed enterprise (dairy) X X

9 ICEA organic certification body X X X

10 Demeter organic (biodynamic) association X X X X

11 CiBI SCRL organic association X X X

12 EcorNaturaSi SpA organic distributor, retailer X X

13 Ass. Italiana Turismo Responsabile non organic association (sustainable tourism) X X X

14 Parco Regionale Dune Costiere non organic regional park authority X X

15 Forum Agricoltura Sociale Puglia non organic regional platform for social farming X X

16 Puglia Sviluppo SpA non organic agency for economic development X X X

17 Ordine degli Agronomi e For. Prov. Bari non organic professional agronomist organisation X X

18 O.P. Terra di Bari mixed producer organization (wine, cherries) X X X

19 O.P. Jonica mixed producer organisation (vegetables) X X X

Legend: P&P: production & processing; MKT: commercialisation & marketing; T&A: training & advice; VC: value chain efficiency & governance; I: innovation and research; E: education; T: tourism

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