To enhance the modern role of the farmer, the new reality of the Italian countryside and agricultural work. Today, the CIA is one of the largest professional organizations in Europe and Italy.

The Confederation

The relevance, in terms of sector representation and goals to be achieved, is well-rooted, widespread on a large scale and protects a professional reality which is still today an integral part of the economic system.

The origins of the Confederation can be traced back to 1955 with the establishment of the National Farmers' Alliance, and then saw its formation more than twenty years later under the name of Confederazione Italiana Coltivatori (Cic) and, in 1992, with the name known today as Cia – Agricoltori Italiani (Italian Farmers' Confederation).

Ruggero Grieco worked on the establishment of the National Peasants' Alliance, and was elected its President.

Agronomist, parliamentarian and senator, he dealt with agricultural policy in parliament after the Liberation and the birth of the Italian Republic.

Sardinia entered the constituent phase with the Union of Sardinian Farmers and Shepherds, which represented a vast movement fighting for "Land to those who work it", against absentee landowners and for agrarian reform.

The CIA, with its national headquarters in Rome, allows the participation of over 900,000 full-time members, including direct farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs, and provides extensive coverage of approximately 5,000 municipalities, with regional, provincial, and local offices.

Internationally and in Europe, Cia-Agricoltori Italiani is a member of COPA (Committee of Professional Agricultural Organizations of the EU) and OMA (World Farmers' Organization). These are key recognitions for an association that operates autonomously and democratically, focusing on the work of individual and/or associated agricultural businesses, and working towards the cultural, moral, civil, and economic development of farmers and those who work in the rural world.

The Confederation has a significant commitment, especially in today's context, to make farmers key players in the economic system and in the agri-food sector, both locally and globally.

The objectives

Cia is active in numerous commitments on multiple fronts, not only professional but also social.

A dynamic vision foresees the virtuous participation of all the actors involved: the aim is to achieve equal opportunities between women and men in society and the economy and to promote the inclusion of young people in businesses and local agricultural systems, so as to encourage a satisfactory generational turnover.

Following this path, among the most important goals are: the protection and professional development of rural and agricultural workers, as well as the income, rights, and dignity of agricultural work carried out as a business.

At the international level, the Confederation is involved, through its NGO AseS, in agricultural development projects in various parts of the world.

To support the numerous ongoing programs, Cia-Agricoltori Italiani brings together associations, institutes, companies, and economic interest groups that provide services to agricultural businesses.

Women in the Field, supporting female entrepreneurship; Agia, which promotes the inclusion of the younger generation; the Associazione Agricoltura è Vita, which provides professional, technical, and cultural training for agricultural entrepreneurs and sector operators; Aiel and ESCo Agroenergetica, for the diffusion of renewable energy sources from agriculture and forestry.

Philosophy of progress

The role played by Cia – Italian Farmers represents the ability of agriculture itself to assert itself within the Italian economic system, not only as a productive sector but also as an asset.

Thus, the impact can be seen on the territory, its environmental, cultural, and landscape resources: the growing value orientation is reflected in the degree of competitiveness that agricultural businesses have on domestic, EU, and international markets.

Support for the rural world is confirmed by the affirmation, in today's society, of the culture of the land, which is conceived as a universal, limited, non-reproducible good.

With this safeguard in mind, each initiative is built on precise levels of quality, safety, as well as food and environmental education.

The Confederation participates in bargaining and signs collective labor agreements, making its voice heard in the major national, regional, and provincial institutional bodies.

The Confederation participates in institutional discussions at all levels—regional, national, and European—supporting the needs and proposals of agriculture and providing ongoing information on both approved administrative and legislative measures.

Promotional information provided by Cia – Italian Farmers

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