Since 2010 she has directed Italian CIA-Farmers, one of the most important confederations of farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs in Italy. Originally from a farming family, Rossana Zambelli had the dream of becoming a magistrate, she entered the CIA to deal with legal matters. And as she herself remembers, she remained there, continuing an important professional career.
The CIA General Manager
In fact, she was vice-president of the Lazio CIA, later secretary general of the Young Agricultural Entrepreneurs, and later in charge of the Organization and Administration sector. To top off all this was the appointment as national director.
Before continuing, here is some more information about the Italian Confederation of Farmers. With its national headquarters in Rome, it is present throughout the Italian territory, in about 5,000 municipalities. The regional, provincial and zonal areas stand out among the sites. Among other things, it has a representation even in Brussels. It was founded in 1977 as the Italian Confederation of Farmers (Cic) and in 1992 became CIA, with the aim of underlining the modern role of the farmer and his company.
In short, the objective of the CIA is to promote initiatives related to food education, enhancement and protection of the environment, including farms, forests, organic agriculture, alternative energy, publishing and agricultural legislation. It has now become the reference point for organizations and economic interest groups that deal with agriculture.
A respectable career
That of Rossana Zambelli is, however, first of all a story of commitment, to show that she is, as a woman, capable of the roles assigned to her. And able to concretely manage an organization that counts over 900 thousand members, and that represents a world and an industry that not only “feeds” the country, but actively contributes to defending and sustaining the territory and the landscape, creating occupation at the same time.
Hers is a directing role, which must follow the coordination not only of the specific activities of the sector, but also the monitoring of areas at risk in the event of an emergency – in agreement with the Regions – and relations with the Government. A role whose strategic importance can be better understood by thinking that it refers to a sector that, in the coming years, will give life to 300 thousand new jobs.
A trend confirmed by the strong increase in enrollment at the Agricultural University, the growing predisposition of Italians to take a gamble on jobs in the field of agronomy and oenology, as well as in organic farming, farms, educational farms and the agroenergy sector. Rossana Zambelli continues along her path with determination and passion, in an area that seems increasingly feminine.
In fact, Italian agriculture is one of the 5 macro areas in which there is an increase in the presence of women. A fact highlighted by the same Zambelli: About 29% of farm owners are women. And there are a total of 300 thousand women out of a total of 800 thousand entrepreneurs. Moreover, the female presence is registered in the most innovative sectors of the agricultural sector: farming and organic sectors.