The organisers of leading Italian fresh produce trade fair Macfrut have established a new company, Itagrit, to promote the interests of the country's agro-industrial and technology companies in sub-Saharan Africa.
According to Macfrut president Domenico Scarpellini, the new consortium will work closely with local authorities and industry leaders in central and southern African countries to improve access to the best Italy has to offer in terms of pre- and post-harvest technology for fruit and vegetable growers.
'We have met with Ministers in several of the continent's countries and we have paid attention to their requirements, such as demands for machinery and the need to improve operations in various agricultural sectors,' he commented. 'The fresh produce industry is an integral part of their economies and offers huge potential.'
Itagrit has been set up as a joint venture between Macfrut and a number of other companies, including crop management specialist Agricoma, Italian industry promotion group Simest, engineering firm Water Alliance-Gruppo Trevi and the AIA (Association of Italian Breeders).
The consortium aims to cover the entire agribusiness supply chain in Africa, with the aim of developing sustainable technologies that can optimise the use of resources and, in doing so, have a positive impact on local communities.
