The Italian livestock sector is a crucial component of the country’s agricultural economy, with 166,460 farms employing approximately 513,000 workers. However, there is a significant disparity between small and large companies in terms of technological adoption, which represents a critical element in the digitalisation of the supply chain.
The Smart Meat 2030 Manifesto was presented at the Senate on the initiative of Senator Antonio De Poli. This manifesto aims to promote digital sustainability in the Italian livestock sector and guide companies towards meeting European sustainability objectives. The manifesto highlights ten main points that outline a path towards awareness and action on crucial issues for the digital transition of meat supply chains.
Professor Stefano Epifani, President of the Foundation for Digital Sustainability, emphasizes the importance of understanding how digitalization can transform complex supply chains like that of meat production. Digitalization brings significant improvements in efficiency, sustainability and animal welfare. For example, IoT sensors and devices can detect vital signs, physical activity and abnormal behavior in animals, allowing timely interventions to prevent disease and improve overall well-being. Blockchain technology can also be used to improve product traceability and transparency by certifying the origin and quality of meat in an immutable way. These tools increase consumer trust while facilitating compliance with food safety and quality standards.
Professor Giuseppe Pulina adds that agriculture produces a lot of data but most of it is lost today. The challenge is to use this data intelligently to increase production efficiency by reprogramming systems digitally through smart farming techniques like precision feeding or effluent management systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and soil pollution while increasing productivity through predictive analytics and artificial intelligence systems.
