The Sferro district demands more attention

The Paternese fraction of Sferro and tax breaks for operators in the agricultural sector. These are the requests made by the president of Confagricoltura Catania, Giosuè Arcoria, to the president of the extraordinary commission established in Paternò, the retired prefect, Santi Giuffrè, during a meeting held at the municipality's headquarters.

Arcoria highlighted how Catania's agriculture is rich and varied in high-quality productions, appreciated worldwide. The market shares interested in Sicilian products are increasingly broad, but many obstacles remain that sector operators are forced to face.

From the citrus sector to the wine sector, from cereals to vegetables, to the new productions of exotic fruits, the quality of the “made in Sicily” product has few rivals. However, this sector needs support, as mentioned, due to the problems it has faced, especially in recent years, due to adverse weather conditions. Starting with the black biennium 2023-2024, where drought had a profound impact, moving to the shaky 2025 and reaching 2026, with crops, especially citrus, devastated at the beginning of the year by cyclone “Harry”.

Arcoria emphasized that his requests aim to meet the spending needs of sector operators; an intervention especially in terms of roadway adjustments for the Sferro district, a strategic crossroads for agricultural operators and beyond, given its location. "The village of Sferro has a central role for the Catania area, especially concerning the internal areas - highlighted President Arcoria - It is an important junction, not only for the agricultural world, given its proximity to the Catania-Palermo highway. It is necessary to protect these villages, support them against depopulation, to safeguard their identity. In Sferro, moreover, several family-run economic realities resist and need to feel less isolated."

Commissioner Giuffrè has shown himself to be very willing to evaluate the requests of President Arcoria, intervening where possible, especially regarding the internal roadways of the village of Sferro, to demonstrate strong support for a sector that, for the entire direct production chain (agricultural laborers, producers, and merchants) and its related industries, in the Etna area, supports thousands of families.