Today, 6 October, CIHEAM Bari launches a study tour entitled “Sustainability and Innovation in the Italian Agrifood Sector: Insights from Apulia.” This is the first activity under the programme “Strengthening Agri-food Ecosystems in Ghana, the Republic of the Congo and Senegal, in Partnership with the Italian Private Sector”, implemented by CIHEAM Bari.

The programme is part of the Italian international cooperation initiative, developed within a balanced public–private partnership framework, under the Mattei Plan for Africa. It specifically falls within the Action for the Strengthening of Agro-Food Ecosystems in Africa (AREA), co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). CIHEAM Bari serves as the knowledge partner and implementing body for the public component, while BFI acts as the private partner.

This study tour brings together 18 high-level ministry officials from Ghana, the Republic of the Congo and Senegal. It aims to showcase the agricultural excellence of Italy and the Apulia Region, promote knowledge exchange, and enhance innovative skills in the governance and management of advanced green and blue economy, sustainable farming models, and community-driven initiatives that blend tradition with innovation.

The programme combines high-level institutional meetings, scientific debate, and visits to CIHEAM Bari’s headquarters in Valenzano and its site in Tricase, as well as to leading research centres, innovative farms, and companies across the region. These include the Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources (IBBR-CNR), the Institute of Food Production Sciences (ISPA-CNR), Andriani Company, La Valle Verde Srl, Masseria Madonna dell’Assunta, Antico Forno Santa Caterina, F.lli Leggiero, F.lli Lapietra, Agriturismo Curatori, Fornelli di Teresa, the Food4Health Community Laboratory, Marevivo, Casa delle Agricolture, Amadeco, a Xylella-infected site with the participation of regionl phytosanitary service officials, and the Porto Museo di Tricase in collaboration with Magna Grecia Mare Association.

Participants will also attend Agrilevante 2025, one of the largest agricultural fairs in the Mediterranean, the Balkans and the Middle East, dedicated to showcasing agricultural machinery, equipment and technologies.

The high-level study tour, which will end with a certificate-awarding ceremony, is intended to provide a platform for knowledge exchange as well as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation and promote sustainable solutions for the future. As part of this initiative, the high-level delegation will set out the three-year training agenda to be implemented in the beneficiary countries and in Italy.