Name:Michele Grandi (31)
Company: Az. Agricola Grandi
Activities: Owner of a farm of 60 hectares and 4,000 pigs.

Why did you choose this profession?

Since the end of my studies, the desire has always been to continue the business that my parents built up in 20 years. Where they once started with a small shed for cows, this was later expanded with a piglet and sow sty. A job as a farmer isn't for everyone. Time pressure and unpredictability can make it difficult to enjoy time off from work. But by doing it, I've come to love it. With the support and trust of my parents, I now manage our farm. Located in the beautiful delta of the River Po, in the province of Rovigo.

What will your company look like in 10 years?

I learned that working in pig farming is not just putting on a pair of boots and standing in the sty all day. We must be aware that it’s more than that. It's necessary to be prepared for and to face all obstacles that we may encounter in our business life. From the genetic aspect to the feed. We must be able to make choices in the short term. I always say 'the glass is half full'. That's how I feel too. In the next 10 years, my goal is to give the company a strong economic structure and to grow my production by 50%.

What will the sector look like in 10 years?

In my view, everyone has the opportunity to make the sector grow. But the past has taught us that it is always better to plan for the medium term. Unfortunately, the economic crisis, the pandemic, diseases and the rising prices of raw materials have severely restricted growth in the sector in recent times.

What challenges will follow in the future?

I certainly do not have a crystal ball, but I think that the future of pig farming will be completely determined by the genetic line. It must perform optimally and be able to meet sales prices. In addition, I sincerely hope that cooperation between the food industry and pig farming will grow. The use of residual streams from animal feed will open the way to a green future.