Agriculture, territory and multifunctionality: the case of South-East of Sicily

The concept of agricultural multi-functionality is affirmed in European countries in the 1990s of the XX century to contrast the agricultural crisis, sustain the farmers income and protect the biodiversity of rural landscapes. In 1996, the Declaration of Cork, after revealing incoherence in CAP and underlining that public support for rural development is acceptable if harmonized with a proper management of natural resources and with the conservation and maintenance of biodiversity of the landscape, promoted a ten-step program to battle rural mass migration and to promote employment and equal opportunities. This paper wants to emphasize the state of the art relation that there is among agriculture, territory and multi-functionality in consideration of the new European program 2014-2020. Taking for example, the South-East of Sicily in general and the Plateau of Modica in particular. Where we can find a considerable livestock patrimony which, on its own, is of great aesthetic and identity value. If preserved, it may continue to be a great resource for the whole territory. These objectives can be reached, not only, by a marked rural policy with strong local roots in the territory and the diversification of livestock farms that can satisfy the social demand for leisure time, tourism and culture. Multi-functionality in the rural environment is completely recognized by the new European program 2014-2020, which again aims to assure a sustainable, competitive and multi-functional agriculture. Consequently, the experimentation of additional activities, compared to the primary function of producing food, fits into the areas under inspection as strategies to avoid the decline of agricultural land values and at the same time as an opportunity to benefit from European programs.