Best practices of agro-food sector in basilicata region (italy): Evidences from innovagro project

Abstract

The production context linked to the agricultural sector in Basilicata is not very competitive, especially in international contexts. In fact, there are few companies that occupy a good market position beyond the border. The reasons are to be found in the high degree of fragmentation, in the high percentage of small businesses, mainly family-run, and a general low propensity to entrepreneurship. The low aptitude of agricultural producers to form consortia or establish any other formal collaboration is a further factor on which to act in order to improve the competitiveness of their respective sectors. The project “Development of an innovative network for the promotion of agro-food enterprises in the Adriatic-Ionian area” (INNOVAGRO) was born with the aim of enhancing existing virtuous models and proposing innovative solutions for the creation of a Transnational Agro-food Network. The aim is the creation of a platform that integrates ICT technologies and eco-sustainable agricultural practices in order to promote the exchange of positive experiences on an intra-regional scale. This platform could subsequently serve as a support for the implementation of new development strategies based on synergies between the tourism and agro-food production sectors. Part of the project concerned the construction of a “best practice guide” containing examples of existing companies in the project partner countries that stand out for their innovative production of agri-food products and for the promotion of SMEs on international markets. This work illustrates the four best practices selected within the context of the Basilicata region.