The future of sustainability? The symbiosis between organic and regenerative agriculture

In this context, what are the most significant challenges that agricultural companies face in implementing an organic certification process?

The conversion of farms to organic production requires their adherence to the Organic Farming Control System, governed by EU Regulation 2018/848 and the relevant Italian legislation, with the introduction of Legislative Decree no. 148/2023. The most significant challenges relate to the technical conversion of production processes, which, for farms approaching organic certification for the first time, translates into the adoption of production techniques that exclude synthetic chemicals. This inevitably leads to a decline in production yields. Compensating for the loss of unit productivity by promoting organic products on the market and charging appropriate prices, higher than those for conventional production, undoubtedly represents the most significant challenge for this type of farm.

ICEA is the only non-profit consortium and certification institute in Italy. What does this unique feature mean, and what approaches does it shape your work?

Being a nonprofit organization is one of the key identifying features of our Consortium. It means advancing a vision of organic, ethical, coherent, sustainable agriculture that respects people and nature.

Ours is a community committed to respecting human values ​​and the progressive development of continuous, incremental teamwork. We are a company founded on the centrality of people and their ethical commitment to their organization and the community. This legacy of values ​​forms our identity, which we infuse into our work.

How do you ensure that certified companies comply with reference standards in the medium to long term?

The organic farming control system requires the implementation of a specific annual Control Plan, structured based on a risk analysis conducted for each inspected operator. The risk analysis, which examines specific defined parameters, determines the application of a "risk class" for each company. The Control Plan is developed based on the risk classes assigned to the operators. The control and certification activities carried out by ICEA follow the development of the Control Plan, which may include one or more annual audits for each operator, including unannounced audits, sampling, and extraordinary checks.

What are the benefits of organic certification for agricultural companies and the development of a broader sustainability journey?

Organic farming arose from the concrete need to grow healthy products without the use of synthetic chemicals, while respecting the environment and limiting the use of natural resources. These premises make organic farming the most advanced form of sustainable production model to date. As a production system regulated by a specific EU regulation (EU Regulation 2018/848), with its own logo, companies pursuing organic certification benefit from a certification system that enhances the identity of their products, as well as developing sustainability prerequisites that will allow them to expand potential integrated sustainable approaches, open to new sectors and projects.

How does organic certification affect the investment policies of private and institutional investors?

Sustainable development is at the heart of the European agenda, which, with the Green Deal, has decided to promote the ecological transition (or green transition) across Europe, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to the 2030 Agenda. The transition to environmental, social, and economic sustainability aims to protect ecosystems by promoting more environmentally friendly models, among which organic farming undoubtedly plays a key role. The European Commission aims to achieve organic farming on at least 25% of agricultural land by 2030, as outlined in the "Farm to Fork" strategy to contribute to the creation of a sustainable agri-food system and in the Biodiversity strategy, dedicated to ensuring the preservation of ecosystem quality and functionality. In this context, the benefits of organic farming are clear: preservation of biodiversity (30% faster than conventional agriculture); an alternative model for the transition to more sustainable agriculture; new opportunities for farmers, especially to support them with a decent income.

What are the main priorities that government policies should address to balance the needs of farmers with a necessary transition to more sustainable practices?

The Farm to Fork strategy, through the Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production, defines important tools for the sustainable transition. Specifically, it includes actions to stimulate the consumption of organic products, such as encouraging their use in public catering (school cafeterias, hospitals, community centers, public offices, etc.), as well as more traditional tools, such as dedicated funding to stimulate the development of the organic sector in both production and processing, and the promotion of short supply chains. Furthermore, organic farming is positioned as an example for the rest of the agricultural sector and a model for guiding the transition to sustainable agriculture.

What are the most effective strategies companies can adopt to authentically communicate their commitment to organics and sustainability? Why do some companies, despite adopting organic practices, fail to communicate their commitment?

Most organic farms embrace organic production as a philosophy of life, a clear choice in contrast to industrial agriculture. This pure and holistic approach, which in itself is a defining characteristic of their identity, limits smaller farms to a less structured communication strategy. Conversely, an effective communication strategy must be consumer-focused, clearly explaining the underlying concept, how the supply chain works, and thus justifying the choice of organic and its cost. In the current context of the Farm to Fork strategy, where Italy is one of the largest organic producers, an effective strategy must focus on organic production not as a market segment, but as a concept, a prerequisite for sustainable development.

What are the future prospects for the development of organic certifications in Italy and internationally?

The future of organic agriculture lies in continuing its path of innovation and moving forward, integrating its characteristics with those of another sustainable agriculture model: regenerative agriculture. Regenerative agriculture represents the natural evolution and innovation of organic agriculture. The synergistic development of the shared values ​​of the two forms of agriculture is projected toward the future of production models, because being regenerative means being organic, and at the same time, being organic means being regenerative. The two systems are interconnected and together they are stronger and more meaningful. The combination of the two systems takes shape in organic and regenerative agriculture, which constitutes the most advanced agricultural and production system to date. A concrete example of this combination is offered by the Rigenerative Organic Alliance (ROA), an American nonprofit organization, which has developed a standard for the certification of organic and regenerative products in both the food and non-food sectors (textiles and cosmetics).