Features of the development of plant growing in Italy. Italy's economy and its place in the world economy. Italy's economy and its place in the world economy

Agriculture in Italy provides 10% of the country's gross national income. It employs 14% of the economically active population. In recent decades, many peasants leave their farms and move into the sphere industrial production and service.

In terms of crop yield and, especially, livestock productivity, Italy is far behind many European countries.

Agriculture has reached high level productivity only in the North, especially on the Padan Plain, where the level of mechanization is high and fertilizers are used to a large extent.

The main branch of Italian agriculture is crop production. Grain crops occupy over half of all arable land, including 30% wheat. On the most fertile lands, wheat is sometimes alternated with corn, the largest harvest of which is given by the northern regions. Rye and oats are grown on the alpine slopes and in the valleys.

Italy ranks first in foreign Europe in rice production, and in terms of its yield, it is one of the leading rice-growing countries in the world. Yew has long been a common food for Italians. It is grown on the irrigated lands of the Padan Plain.

Potatoes are planted in many parts of the country, but most of all in Campania. Various vegetables are grown in Italy: tomatoes, cabbage, salads, onions, asparagus, and melons. The main vegetable growing region of the country is also Campania.

The most important industrial crop in Italy is sugar beet. More than half of the sugar beet farms are concentrated in the lower reaches of the Po River.

Italy is called "the first garden of Europe". Apples, pears, peaches, cherries, apricots, and figs are harvested here. Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts are common in the southern regions.

Italy is one of the world's largest citrus producers. Almost all of them are grown in the southern regions, primarily in Sicily.

Huge role in agriculture Italy plays traditional viticulture. In terms of grape harvest, Italy constantly competes with France for first place in the world, 90% of it is processed into wine, the production of which Italy is not inferior to any country in the world. Vineyards are spread throughout and form a characteristic feature of the Italian landscape.

Another characteristic Italian culture is words. Italy ranks second in the world after Spain in olive harvesting.

From industrial crops that provide fiber for textile industry, in Italy cotton, flax and hemp are grown in small quantities. Flower cultivation is gaining in importance every year. Most of them are exported.

In Italy, the role of animal husbandry is gradually increasing. Dairy and beef cattle breeding prevails in the North of the country, for the rest of the regions extensive livestock breeding with a predominance of small-scale cattle.

Fishing is relatively poorly developed in Italy. The seas surrounding it are not very rich in fish, since the continental shelf is small in area, there are few shallows. Freshwater fishing decreases every year as a result of industrial pollution of river and lake waters.

Agriculture has reached a high level of productivity only in the North, especially on the Padan Plain, where the level of mechanization is high and fertilizers are used to a large extent.

Italy ranks first in foreign Europe in the production of rice, and in terms of its yield, it is among the leading rice-growing countries in the world. Yew has long been a common food for Italians. It is grown on the irrigated lands of the Padan Plain. Potatoes are planted in many parts of the country, but most of all in Campania. Various vegetables are grown in Italy: tomatoes, cabbage, salads, onions, asparagus, and melons. The main vegetable growing region of the country is also Campania.

The most important industrial crop in Italy is sugar beet. More than half of the sugar beet farms are concentrated in the lower reaches of the Po River.

Italy is called "the first garden of Europe". Apples, pears, peaches, cherries, apricots, and figs are harvested here. Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts are common in the southern regions.

Italy is one of the world's largest citrus producers. Almost all of them are grown in the southern regions, primarily in Sicily. Traditional viticulture plays a huge role in the agriculture of Italy. In terms of grape harvest, Italy constantly competes with France for the first place in the world, 90% of it is processed into wine, the production of which Italy is not inferior to any country in the world. Vineyards are spread throughout and form a characteristic feature of the Italian landscape.

Another characteristic Italian culture is words. Italy ranks second in the world after Spain in olive harvesting.

Of the industrial crops that provide fiber for the textile industry, small quantities of cotton, flax and hemp are grown in Italy. Flower cultivation is gaining in importance every year. Most of them are exported.

In Italy, the role of animal husbandry is gradually increasing. Dairy and beef cattle breeding predominates in the north of the country, while the rest of the regions are characterized by extensive livestock raising with a predominance of small cattle.

IN economic system each developed country there is a branch of "agriculture". Of course, Italy, known to many tourists, is no exception. Agriculture employs about 6% of the population of the boot country, which annually brings to the state treasury 10% of the gross domestic product (GDP). What aspects includes the broad concept of "agriculture in Italy", we will consider in our article.

general information

Italy is a sunny country, fertile lands and climate which favor the development of agriculture. For the needs of typical peasant crafts, approximately 90% of all Italian territory is allocated. Most of the land is arable land (approximately 35% of the territory), 19% of the land is allotted to pastures and meadows, and vineyards, orchards and olive groves cover 11% of the Italian territory.

Fact. The forest area is also involved in the country's agriculture. It accounts for almost 24% of the land.

Thanks to the unique location of the regions in Italy, it is possible to grow crops of subtropical, temperate and Mediterranean climates. The largest river in the country, the boot Po, is actively involved in the irrigation of land. The foothills of the Alpine area are characterized by a large number of meadows, which are ideal places for grazing livestock. The northern Italian regions specialize in meat and cereal production, while the southern regions are famous for their vineyards, olive and citrus groves.

It is interesting! The island of Sardinia is considered the basic sheep-breeding region of Italy.

Industries of agriculture in Italy

The main branches of agriculture of the state in the Apennines include:

Crop production is the basic branch of the economic agricultural sphere, which produces more than half of all agricultural products of the state (60%). Grain crops are grown in Italy: barley, rye, wheat, oats, as well as corn, rice, etc. Also, many industrial crops grow here: hemp, flax, cotton, soybeans, tobacco. They are used in the textile industry. Crop production is well developed in all parts of Italy.
Floriculture is one of the most important export industries in the country. Italy sends raw materials and fresh flowers, seeds, bulbs, etc. to other countries. The inhabitants of the following regions are engaged in floriculture: Calabria, Ligurian Riviera, Sicily, Lazio and Piedmont.
Vegetable growing is an equally important branch of the agricultural economy. In various parts of the country, Italians grow asparagus, tomatoes, sugar beets, cabbage, melons, onions, potatoes, artichokes. The main vegetable-growing region of the state is Campania. Most of the vegetables for export are grown in northern Italy.
Gardening is a primordially Italian agricultural industry. The country of the boot is often called "the main garden of Europe". And all because peaches, cherries, apples, figs, pomegranates, pears, apricots, citrus fruits, as well as nuts - almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts grow here. Most of the fruits are grown in the northern part of the country, but lemons, tangerines, oranges, citrus hybrids, and nuts can be found only in the south of the state. However, the main occupation of Italian farmers is the cultivation of grapes. Vineyards are located in every region of the state. Almost all of the harvested harvest (90%) is used to make wine. Olives are an equally important Italian culture. Most of the olive groves (about 90%) are located in the south of the country. You will not find trees with olives in Piedmont, the highlands of Trentino-Alto Adige and Aosta.
Livestock is not the most developed industry in Italy. Production of meat and milk is carried out mainly in the northern part of the state and provides about 20% of marketable agricultural products. This figure does not meet the needs of the inhabitants of Italy. Most often, livestock breeding is carried out by private traders on small lands, so the number of "meat" animals on farms is small. There are poultry farms in almost every suburb of every Italian metropolis.
Fishing is an underdeveloped branch of agriculture in Italy. If you carefully read the articles on our website, you will probably be surprised at the words written, because almost every restaurant in any coastal and lakeside town is famous for its fish dishes. Yes, the fishermen manage to satisfy the whims of visiting tourists, but the larger-scale fishing industry is far from Italy. There are not many fish in the coastal seas. About half of the total catch of tuna, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, molluscs and other crustaceans falls on the waters of the Adriatic Sea. A significant part of the "booty" is processed at canneries located in coastal cities and towns. Freshwater fishing looks no less deplorable. Due to environmental problems associated with the pollution of water and the surrounding area with industrial waste, the fish catch is declining every year.

It is interesting! Italy ranks first in the production of tobacco among European countries. The country exports 14 million tons of vegetables and 6 million tons of fruits every year.

What's the bottom line?

Agriculture in Italy is an important branch of the national economy. Despite favorable conditions, this area is almost the most backward. The fact is that many farmers and residents countryside abandon their land and move to cities, where they find jobs in the service sector and industrial production. Also, the lack of agricultural development is affected by the fragmentation of most of the Italian land plots.

Note! Italy is known all over the world for high quality produced olive oil, cheeses, pasta, wine and fruit.

The current state of agriculture in Italy suggests that the situation is getting more complicated every year. Due to the prevalence of the widespread economic crisis, the state is forced to reduce the territory intended for planting and grazing. In this regard, the volume of products received is reduced. In general, the agricultural sector meets the needs of the inhabitants of the Apennines by only 75%. Every year, the Italian authorities are forced to increase costs for the purchase of imported products: meat, grain crops, eggs, dairy products, as well as feed for livestock.

On a note. More recently, the boot country struggled to maintain its original Italian agricultural specialization in the cultivation of Mediterranean fruits and vegetables.

In southern Europe, in the middle of the Mediterranean. It occupies the Apennine Peninsula, a small part of the Balkan Peninsula, the Padan Plain, the southern slopes of the Alps, the islands of Sicily, Sardinia and a number of small islands. The area of \u200b\u200bthe territory is 301,340 km 2. Washing seas: from the east, the Apennine Peninsula is washed by the Adriatic Sea with the Gulf of Venice in its northern part. The Otranto Strait between Apulia and Albania connects the Adriatic Sea with the Ionian Sea. Between Apulia and Calabria, the Gulf of Taranto penetrates deep into the land. The narrow Strait of Messina separates Calabria from Sicily, the Sicilian (or Tunisian) Strait 135 km wide - Sicily from North Africa. The Tyrrhenian Sea is a triangular basin, framed by Sardinia, Corsica, the Tuscan Archipelago, the Apennine Peninsula and Sicily. To the north of Corsica lies the Ligurian Sea with the Gulf of Genoa.

Climate. Subtropical Mediterranean. The influence of the sea is enhanced by the Alps, which are a barrier to the north and west winds. In the Alpine (northernmost) zone, the climate has a continental character, and the altitudinal zonation is manifested. At the foot of the Alps, the average July temperature is +20 ... + 22 ° С. In Bardonecchia (western part) the average annual temperature is + 7.4 ° C, the average annual rainfall is 660 mm. The eastern part is less warm with more moisture, in Cortina d'Ampezzo these figures are + 6.6 ° C and 1055 mm. In Valle d'Aosta ( west Side zones), permanent snow cover begins at 3110 m, in the Julian Alps the snow falls to 2545 m.In autumn and winter, a hot dry hairdryer blowing from Switzerland or Austria sometimes causes sharp temperature rises in some valleys (Aosta, Susa). In the eastern part of the Alps, gusts of dry and cold bora winds can reach 200 km / h. In summer, it rains in high-altitude regions, in autumn and spring it moves to the edges of the climatic zone. Snow falls only in winter, the amount (3-10 m) depends on the year and the proximity to the coast. The foothills receive more heavy snowfalls than the mountainous regions. In mountainous areas, frosts are frequent down to -15 ...- 20 ° С. The lakes located in the region soften the local climate, the average January temperature in Milan is + 1 ° C, in Salo, on Lake Garda + 4 ° C. There are several hundred glaciers in the Italian Alps. On the Padan Plain, the climate is transitional from subtropical to temperate - hot summers and severe winters, softening when moving to the eastern coast. In Turin, the average winter temperature is + 0.3 ° C, summer + 23 ° C. It rains mainly in the off-season, increasing with altitude. Little snow falls on the high plains. Temperatures on the Adriatic coast rise from north to south, partly due to increased latitude, and partly due to a shift in prevailing winds from east to south. The average annual temperature in Venice is + 13.6 ° C, in Ancona + 16 ° C, in Bari + 17 ° C. Precipitation is small - 750 mm in Venice, 650 mm in Ancona and 600 mm in Bari. In the Apennines, the severity of winter is determined by the height, precipitation in the form of snow and rain is moderate (except in some places). Cyclones in midwinter cause frequent weather changes, southern regions snow may fall. Average annual temperatures and precipitation are + 12.1 ° C and 890 mm in Urbino (in the east), + 12.5 ° C and 1000 mm in Potenza (Basilicata region). On the eastern slopes of the Apennines and in the interior regions of the peninsula, precipitation falls between 600-800 mm / year, in the interior regions of Sicily and Sardinia - less than 500 mm / year. Along the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ligurian Riviera, the temperature and precipitation are influenced by the sea, full openness to the midday sun, the prevailing south-westerly winds and the proximity of the Apennine ridge, which does not allow the north winds. In Sanremo (western part of the riviera), annual precipitation is 680 mm, in La Spezia (south-eastern part of the riviera) - 1150 mm. On the Adriatic coast it is generally colder (by 1 ... 2 ° С) and drier than on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The mountainous Calabria and Sicily are surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and therefore the temperatures are higher than in the mountains of the northern part of the peninsula. It rarely rains in the hinterland in winter, with more rainfall in the western and northern regions of Sicily. In Reggio Calabria, the average annual temperature and rainfall are + 18.2 ° C and 595 mm, in Palermo + 18 ° C and 970 mm, respectively. From North Africa, a hot and very humid sirocco wind often blows, heating the air to +40 ... + 45 ° С and reaching the south of Sardinia. The climate of Sardinia is also influenced by the cold mistral that blows over its northwest coast. In Sassari (north-west of the island) the average annual temperature and precipitation are + 17 ° C and 580 mm, in Orosei (the eastern coast of the island) these figures are + 17.5 ° C and 540 mm.

Relief. Mostly mountainous country. In the north - the southern slopes of the Alps, to the south - the Padan plain; on the peninsula - the Apennine mountains. Active volcanoes - (Vesuvius, Etna); earthquakes are frequent. In the north-eastern part of the island of Sicily there are mountains, in the south-western part of the island of Sardinia there is a plain.

Hydrography. Under water ≈ 2.4% of the area. The longest river is Po (length 682 km). The largest lake is Garda.

Aquatic biological resources. From marine fish, commercial value is played by mullet, cod, sardines, tuna, flounder, from river fish - carp, trout, and eel.

Vegetation. Forests and shrubs occupy ≈ 31% of the territory. In the south and in the center, subtropical vegetation prevails, the flora of the north of the country is represented by walnut, oak, spruce, pine.

Soils. In the north, in the Alps, mountain meadow and mountain forest soils are widespread. The southern foothills of the Alps and most of the Padan plain are covered with brown forest soils. In the middle-altitude zone of the Alps, they are infertile. In the coastal areas near the Adriatic Sea, there are swampy soils. In the coastal zone of the Apennine Peninsula and the island of Sicily, brown subtropical soils are common, very favorable for the cultivation of grapes and other southern crops. On the low plateaus of the Apennine foothills and on the island of Sardinia, humus-carbonate and mountain-forest brown soils prevail. On the lowlands, hills and low mountains of the coasts of the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas, red-colored Mediterranean soils have formed on limestones, especially suitable for cultivation fruit trees and grapes. There are soils formed on volcanic rocks. Alluvial soils are widespread in river valleys.

Agriculture. Agricultural lands occupy ≈ 42% of the territory, in their structure - arable land ≈ 52%.

Livestock raising and trades. Poultry (chickens), cows (dairy and beef cattle breeding), sheep, pigs, goats are raised. Fishing and seafood (sardine, mackerel, anchovy, tuna, shellfish, crustaceans).

Plant growing. Grow wheat, rice, barley, oats, corn, sugar beet, flax (oilseed), tobacco, potatoes, green, tomatoes, mushrooms, plums, peaches, pears, oranges, kiwi, cherries, apricots, nectarines, olive, grapes, flowers ...

Regions of Italy

Abruzzo region.
Located in the middle of the Apennine Peninsula on the Adriatic coast. 2/3 of the territory is occupied by mountains. Grapes are grown.

Region of Apulia.
Located in the east of Italy, it is washed by the Adriatic Sea in the east and north and the Ionian Sea in the south. The landscape is 53.3% flat, 45.3% hilly and only 1.5% is mountainous. Flax (oilseed), tobacco, olive and grapes are grown.

Basilicata region.
Located in southern Italy, by the Gulf of Taranto, Ionian Sea. The climate is subtropical Mediterranean, in the coastal zone it is typically marine, the further inland, the more continental. 47% of the territory is covered with mountains, 8% of the territory is covered with plains. Most of them are confined to the sea coast. Sheep breeding, pig breeding, goat breeding, fishing. They grow wheat, barley, oats, corn, plums, peaches, pears, kiwi, citrus fruits, and grapes.

Information sources:

Reference book "Countries of the World". "Slavic House of Books", Moscow, 2004

The first garden in Europe - so often called Italy. The country supplies the world with a large number of garden grapes and olives. Despite the richness of land resources and favorable natural conditions, agriculture in Italy is the most backward branch of the country.

Economy of Italy

Italy, whose agriculture and industry is highly dependent on external energy resources, is characterized by significant differences in profitability and regional specialization. The highly developed rich north is opposed by the poor agrarian south. The main type of business is small with active participation state regulation... Despite a number of economic crises, it is on par with those of France and Great Britain.

In the structure of world exports, Italy is one of the leaders in the supply of cars, tractors, mopeds and bicycles, and industrial equipment. Chemical industry exports plastics and textile fibers. The fashion industry has a significant share in the Italian economy. The country produces a lot of clothing and footwear. Tourism revenues form more than 1/3 of the country's GDP.

Agriculture in Italy provides the world with high quality olive oil, wines, fruits, pasta and cheese.

Characteristics of Italian agriculture

The country has a highly productive agricultural sector. This specialization of agriculture in Italy is due to the favorable natural conditions that make it possible to grow here crops of a temperate climate and subtropical plants. The main Po river is intensively used for irrigation.

In the foothills of the Alps, there are many meadows used for grazing.

Agriculture in Italy has the following structure:

plant growing - field growing, vegetable growing and horticulture and viticulture, floriculture,
livestock raising - cattle breeding, sheep breeding, pig breeding.

Agricultural sector specialization

The population is provided with food products own production by 75%, the remaining 25% are covered by imports from neighboring European countries. Agriculture in Italy is represented mainly by small farms, with an average area of \u200b\u200b7 hectares. A total of 6% of the country's population works here. Italy annually supplies the market with 6 million tons of fruits, 14 million tons of vegetables, and takes 1st place in Europe in terms of tobacco collection.

Among the agricultural land in Italy, arable land occupies 35%, meadows and pastures - 19-20%, olive groves, orchards and vineyards - 11%.

In the north is the Padan lowland. Fertile land is concentrated here, on which sugar beets, soybeans, cereals, corn and rice are grown. In terms of rice yield, Italy ranks second in the world after China. The economy in this part of the country has a capitalist form, is distinguished by an intensive method of cultivating crops, and the widespread use of hired labor.

The agriculture of Italy in the south is mainly represented by small private farms specializing in the cultivation of citrus fruits - orange, tangerine and lemons. Pomegranates, olives and olives grow here. Due to the mountainous terrain, manual labor is more often used.

Grapes are grown everywhere in Italy. Almost the entire crop is processed into wine.

Thanks to its subtropical climate and widespread cultivation of vegetables in greenhouses, Italy delivers crop products to the world market before other countries.

Livestock raising in the country is poorly developed. Basically, they are engaged in small private traders, the livestock in each farm is small.

Mainly carried out in the field. Legumes and industrial crops grown in the fields are used to feed livestock.

Causes of backwardness and development prospects

Italy is a member of the "common market" of Europe on a contractual basis. This reduces the potential of local agriculture. The reduction in acreage naturally leads to a decrease in production volumes. Imports of wheat, rye, meat, dairy products and eggs to Italy from the European Union countries are increasing, which competes with local products.

Agriculture in Italy traditionally specializes in the cultivation of citrus fruits, Mediterranean fruits and vegetables. However, within the country, it was with difficulty that it was possible to defend the leadership in this industry. The loss of leadership in this sector would not only lead to a crisis in agriculture, but also hit the Italian economy as a whole.

The country has a mountainous and hilly terrain. This makes it impossible to use in many areas of technology, so ineffective and costly manual labor is used.

The state sees ways of effective development agricultural sector in the expansion of farms and the transition to a capitalist form of management.