In Italy, a fair trade project launched by one of the country's most important lyricists, Mogol, aims to produce organic crops in Africa to give jobs and futures in migrant countries of origin.
Mogol, whose real name is Giulio Rapetti, devoted his entire life to writing songs that have gone down as some of the most meaningful in Italian history. Now, he has decided to embark on a fair trade project for organic gardens and orchards in Africa, with the aim of "obtaining a house, a job, an assurance" for those who wish to reach Europe in search of a future. The goal of the project is to "resolve the number one problem of Italy and Europe; that is, the immigration problem," he said.
Opportunity in countries of origin
In Italy, "we're welcoming migrants every day, but we don't have much to offer," Mogol told ANSA. "We ensure them the possibility of a place to sleep and something to eat, but we can't guarantee them a future," he said. He said that's where his project comes in, with a proposal to transform millions of hectares of land in African countries into organic gardens and orchards. "A migrant with a family will be given a piece of land of approximately 4,000 meters," said a draft proposal written by Mogol. The proposal states that the migrants must be dedicated to "growing with willingness", otherwise, "after three warning letters from supervisors, they will be sent back to their countries of origin".
A company that the lyricist called African Agricolture, or A2 for short, 51% established by the European Union and 49% by large European companies chosen with a tender, will handle financing and carrying out the project. It will pick up the produce and sell it in Europe, "delivering 30% of the earnings to the country hosting the migrant, to whom the remaining 70% will be given", according to the proposal.
Agriculture to improve living conditions
Mogol's proposal was initially formed two years ago and has since had written encouragement from Vatican Secretary of State Card. Pietro Parolin as well as support from European Parliament President Antonio Tajani. "The president got me a meeting at the European Commission to present the project in October," Mogol said. When asked whether he sees the project as a form of economic postcolonialism, he said "not at all". "It's not forced, there's no army," he said. "It's a proposal that must be accepted both by migrants as well as the countries hosting them," he said, adding that the countries "will have the opportunity to improve their economic conditions".