Climate has limiting effect on agriculture - most activity carried out in winter with rainfall.
Tree crops -- vines, olives and citrus fruits are most common, sheep grazing in upland areas.
10% of workforce involved in agriculture.
High dependency on EU grants as farm incomes are 50% lower than EU average. 1/2 of those employed in agriculture work in Mezzorgiorno.
Until 1950s, land divided into estates called latifundia, owned by landlords.
25% of people owned their land - little incentive to improve practices.
Small plots rented called minifundia, but most people worked on other's estates as landless labourers called braccianti.
Land was subdivided ~ 70% of land was > 3 hectares.
Overgrazing and overcultivation.
Production levels were low and farming was extensive.

	Created by Clara Webster over 7 years ago

Regional