Presentation of the 56th edition of Agriumbria

As Stefano Ansideri explained: "We do not hide the fact that the numerical objective for this edition is to approach the threshold of 100,000 visitors. Last year, the three-day event attracted just under 90,000 visitors, a result achieved thanks to exponential year-on-year growth (in 2011, admissions were 60,000). This is a highly respectable history, also reflected on the exhibitor side, which has grown from 369 fifteen years ago to the current 451, despite more than 600 requests received. Beyond the numbers, we are aware of the role we play in the national landscape thanks to a unique characteristic that Agriumbria has historically expressed: representing all sectors and all agri-livestock supply chains, including poultry, fruit plants and floriculture. I want to underline the commitment we will make in this edition on the themes of workplace safety and legality in the fields. For the first time, we will host a space where the National Labour Inspectorate will be present together with the Umbrian branches of INAIL and INPS. The aim is to support and assist agricultural enterprises and show them good practices, protocols and opportunities."

Erigo Pecci, Mayor of Bastia Umbra: "Agriumbria is certainly an important business moment, but it is also an event with a cultural and social bond with our area and, not least, it contributes to the overall growth of our territory by creating the conditions for the development of a culture of enterprise and work that remains in the area beyond the event."

Simona Meloni, Councilor for Agricultural and Agri-Food Policies of the Umbria Region, joined by live video link: "Umbriafiere and Agriumbria are an excellence of this region, bringing value to Umbria and promoting it throughout the country. I personally will be present all three days to work at the various tables and listen to the requests of the categories and different sectors. Agri-food, together with tourism, represents the identity of Umbria. We will also be present with a space for the Umbria Region to provide information on measures and opportunities in terms of calls for proposals and development possibilities."

Massimiliano Avogadri, Director of Banco Alimentare Umbria, also spoke at the conference to explain the new collaboration with Agriumbria and to send a strong message to the entire agri-food world. Among the main actions planned at the fair, in addition to a series of messages launched by Banco Alimentare dell'Umbria through materials and tutors present at the stand, there will be the collection at the end of each day of food not served at the fair, to be delivered to Banco's partners. A seminar will also be promoted, focusing on what Banco does to "reduce" food waste in Italy and in Umbria.

Matteo Bartolini, President of CIA Umbria, was also present: "Our task is to bring the voice of farmers to the fair. In this edition we will also bring new projects and development models to respond to the needs of territories, consumers and small farmers. These needs, not insignificantly, can be brought together if there is will, ideas and planning. In particular, we will discuss alternative food supply chains, presenting new economic and social models that on the one hand allow neighborhoods and inland areas to regenerate and companies to have local outlet markets."

Among the new features of the 56th edition of Agriumbria is a space dedicated to the federations of agricultural machinery manufacturers and dealers, FederUnacoma and Federacma, called "Feder-Azioni". Inside Pavilion 9 there will therefore be an area used for initiatives such as Mec@griJobs, a format aimed at students from technical institutes, where the issue of workplace safety will also receive due attention.

The specialized salon and demo area dedicated to forestry are confirmed. It will be a dynamic area in which companies will be able to carry out supply-chain demonstrations, meaning all processing phases. "In addition to the commercial objective," explains Stefano Ansideri, President of Umbriafiere, "we aim to highlight the opportunities linked to the adoption of more efficient equipment, safer for operators and with lower environmental impact, contributing to the sustainable enhancement of the forest heritage."

In 2025, the conference dimension is once again strongly confirmed, with around twenty appointments promoted by institutions, first and foremost the Umbria Region and the Department of Agriculture of the University of Perugia, trade organizations and exhibiting companies. These events will include, as tradition dictates, three major opportunities for discussion curated by the Italian Farmers Confederation (CIA Umbria), Coldiretti and Confagricoltura, as well as two conferences curated by the Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development on Friday and by 3A Parco Tecnologico Agroalimentare dell'Umbria on Saturday.

As usual, space will also be given to workshops organized by breeders' associations, which on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. in Sala Maschiella will also present the conference "The contribution of precision livestock farming to beef cattle farming", curated by the Italian Breeders Association. Several private companies will also hold seminars to illustrate their products, while FederUnacoma will present the 2025 edition of Agrilevante on Friday afternoon, the Mediterranean agriculture fair scheduled in Bari from 9 to 12 October, with updated data on the agricultural machinery market and an overview of the latest funding opportunities for mechanization investments by companies.

"Population and income growth in developing countries," explains the President of Umbriafiere, "will increase demand for products of animal origin; conversely, in countries with advanced economies, acceptance of these products is declining among significant groups of consumers. The transition toward more sustainable livestock production requires investment in efficiency, diversification and mitigation of environmental risks. We must also keep the spotlight on one of the most important issues of our time: food education. We must be aware of how the market is evolving and of consumer preferences. For example, from the first reports this year, we see that after a slight decline, demand for Chianina meat has returned to growth. This suggests that educating people about proper nutrition can be one of Agriumbria's tasks, through the Observatory and, from this edition, also thanks to a new collaboration with Banco Alimentare dell'Umbria, which will bring its added value."

Thanks to an initiative promoted by the Municipal Administration in collaboration with Umbriafiere SpA, residents of Bastia will be able to access the event with a reduced ticket compared with the full price. Piazza Mazzini, in addition to being the designated place for issuing discount codes, will also become the "Agriumbria Portal", hosting a photographic exhibition dedicated to the history of the fair. It will be an opportunity to retrace the key stages of an event that for over half a century has represented a point of reference for the agricultural and livestock sector in Italy. The initiative aims to involve the entire city, allowing residents to access the fair at a reduced cost and enjoy a complete experience, among exhibitions of agricultural machinery, livestock products and sector innovations.