Copa-Cogeca has given its backing to a new online tool which it says will help farmers across Europe become better at marketing their produce.
Commenting at Expo Milano on the online Farm Inc project, Copa vice-president, Maira Dzelzkaleja (pictured above), said her organisation had received “positive feedback” on the project, including from national governments and the European Commission (EC).
“With farmers getting only a fraction of the market price for their produce, we at Copa are pressing for farmers to get a better return and to add value to their produce,” she said, adding that the Farm Inc project was useful in giving farmers practical marketing guidelines.
“We believe there is a great potential for regional and local products. However, there is a lack of marketing strategies to enable European agricultural entrepreneurs to compete with the international network and structures of multinational companies.”
The online-tool includes a package of training materials consisting of the following six modules:
- What is marketing?
- A good marketing plan.
- Farmers markets.
- Quality.
- The strength of a Rural Brand.
- Selling abroad.