SICILY

Abstract and Main Features

In response to the growing need for sustainable agriculture and biodiversity protection, the Region of Sicily enacted Law No. 21/2021 and its implementing decree, D.D.G. 273/2025. The law establishes a framework to promote agroecology, safeguard native genetic resources, and encourage innovation through precision farming. Its goals include recognizing agroecological farms, supporting short supply chains, and enhancing environmental resilience. The decree translates these principles into actionable criteria, detailing technical requirements, incentives, and monitoring procedures. Together, they aim to transform Sicilian agriculture into a model of ecological sustainability, local identity, and technological advancement. 

Some of the main features of these legislative acts include: 

• Official recognition of agroecological farms: Farms must submit an annual certified technical report to be recognized as agroecological. 
• Recognition and protection of native Sicilian species in regional biodiversity registries, updated by a scientific commission. 
• Benefits for farms adopting renewable energy, water-saving, composting, and short supply chains. 
• Requirement for farms to sell 20-30% of their production through direct or local channels. 
• Promotion of on-site composting or use of certified organic amendments from regional sources. 
• Promotion of precision agriculture. 

Objectives 

The objectives in both the Law and Decree are not presented as an explicit list of objectives to be made. However, some key achievements can be identified across the various articles and preambles, such as: 

1. Promotion of agroecology and protection of biodiversity. 
2. Support for short supply chains. 
3. Encouragement of technological innovation (e.g. precision agriculture). 
4. Stronger protection of local species and control over alien species. 
5. Integration of sustainability as a cross-cutting theme in environment, climate, economy and social issues. 

Key Target Groups  

The agroecology strategy promoted by these two laws – particularly Law No.21 of 29 July 2021 – identifies migrants and victims of violence as key target groups to be included and protected through initiatives like training, social inclusion and their active employment in sustainable agriculture. 

Expected Results 

Some of the expected outcomes this law and decree are expected to deliver are the following: 

• Increased use of native species and breeds. 
• Establishment of two observatories – one for invasive species and one for precision agriculture. 
• Increased use of composting systems 
• Minimum 20% of queens used in apiculture must be native Sicilian subspecies (Apis mellifera siciliana). 

Law Development Process 

The Law and Decree do not provide extensive lists of stakeholders involved in the development. These were primarily elaborated with a top-down approach by regional and national authorities, in collaboration with the Sicilian Agroecology Movement.  

Ministries and Stakeholders Involved in the Process 

• Governmental and regional authorities. 
• Sicilian Agroecology Movement. 

Implementation 

The implementation of Sicily’s Law No. 21/2021 and its implementing decree, D.D.G. 273/2025, are structured through a formal recognition system and annual monitoring. According to the Implementing Decree, the Regional Department of Agriculture is responsible for overseeing the process. Farms seeking the recognition of being identified as agroecological must submit a certified technical report annually, detailing compliance with agroecological criteria. The Provincial Agricultural Inspectorates are tasked with collecting and verifying these reports and maintaining official registries. Specific practices—such as biodiversity use, composting, and short supply chain participation—are linked to incentive mechanisms. The decree also outlines the creation of observatories and technical commissions to support ongoing evaluation and updates. 

Budget and Funding 

No estimated budget was publicly shared in this law and decree. 

No specific sources of funding were listed in this law and decree. 

N.B. This summary did not receive any official review by the Sicilian Governement.

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Image Credit: Coordinamento Agroecologia Sicilia