Innovative Agriculture: Business Multifunctionality

Business multifunctionality in agriculture, thanks to the labor market flexibility and diversified income streams, constitutes the main antidote to depopulation in rural areas. The national statistics demonstrate growth of secondary activities in agriculture in recent years. The European rural development policy focuses heavily on support for rural development to ultimately promote diversification of agricultural activities (hospitality, catering, crafts, production of renewable energies, landscape protection) primarily seen as a valid tool to increase business competitiveness (meeting market needs and reducing income risks), at the same time pursuing social and environmental objectives. If we take a look at related activities (contracting, initial processing of agricultural products, land maintenance, support activities related to breeding), the incidence of non-agricultural activities carried out by agricultural companies (agritourism, recreational, social and educational activities; craftsmanship, woodworking; renewable energy such as photovoltaic, biogas, biomass; landscaping of parks and gardens; processing of plant products (fruits), animal products (meat) and milk; direct sales and marketing; feed production; aquaculture) that characterize multifunctionality with respect to agricultural production was 21 % in 2015, compared to 14% in 2000.
In order to establish oneself as a multifunctional agricultural business, in its estates of Vigna di Valle and Via in Rose, the Hortus Gymnasium, from the very beginning, has given absolute priority to:

• the integration of the added value-added chain, i.e. cultivation, processing and marketing, using as much as possible of its own agricultural production for on-site processing in order to increase sales;
• the income diversification, i.e. agri-food, fishing, essential oils, energy production, agritourism and edutainment.