This archive report was first published on 20 April 2020.
On a farm in Fasano, Italy, Floriana Fanizza surveys the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic and a severe drought. Her celery crop, which couldn't be harvested due to the lockdown, lies rotting in the fields.
Italy's agricultural sector, worth 56.6 billion euros in 2019, is facing a crisis as the country's six-week lockdown and drought have left farmers struggling to cope.
According to Italy's biggest agricultural union, Coldiretti, nearly four out of 10 businesses in the fruit and vegetable sector are struggling due to the lockdown and lack of seasonal workers.
With 350,000 foreigners usually employed seasonally in Italy's agriculture sector, the coronavirus crisis has left a shortage of between 250,000 and 270,000 workers, according to the farming ministry.
Urgent action is needed to address the crisis, with Coldiretti calling for 'green corridors' to ease movement between Italy and other countries to bring in seasonal workers.
Italy is also experiencing its driest spring in 60 years, with just over half its usual rainfall since the beginning of the year, creating a water shortage the size of Lake Como.
Farmer Fanizza says the situation is critical, with the land arid and in need of irrigation. The government has set up a 100 million euro fund to support agricultural businesses and has also distributed 50 million euros to buy food and distribute it to Italy's poorest.
