Medieval agriculture system won’t survive the 21th century

‘The disappearing of the mezzadria had more advantages than disadvantages’

As from the middle ages an agriculture system that was based on exchange, known as the mezzadria was predominant in Tuscany. This system has influenced the landscape to a great extent.

“Typical of the mezzadria was a mighty landlord who had many small farms on his country estate,” says farmer Vittorio Emmanuele Berti. The landlord gave his permission to the tenant farmers and their families to bring into use a farm and landed properties. In return the landlord could claim half of the yield.

Farmer Vittorio Berti: "Typical of the mezzadria was a mighty landlord who had many small farms on his country estate"

Architect Giovanni Corti: "The buildings had a specific arrangement"

Easy production

“The buildings had a specific arrangement. The stables were on the ground floor, on the first and second floor the farmer families lived,” architect Giovanni Corti explains. “By tradition the senior was in charge of the farm. It was his task to keep a close watch on the families. They had to produce as much food as possible. The estates of the landlord were divided in smaller parcels.

Turnover

Originally the farmers only had to provide a reasonable yield. At the end of the year they were paid out. When the landlord was not particularly pleased with the yield, he could fire the entire family. Later on landlords appointed estate agents who lived on the land. This system was however not watertight. The estate agents were often corrupt and cheated on landlords and farmers.

Effectivity

For centuries The mezzadria was considered to be honest and effective. But around the 18th century the effectiveness decreased. The landlords and the tenants started to distrust each other. Moreover many farmers quit the system during WWII and they discovered a modern and freer world. Halfway through the fifties half of the leaseholders had left their farms. “The disappearance of the mezzadria had more advantages than disadvantages. The farmers could keep all the profits for themselves,” Berti says.

Chianina and Mezzadria

At the time of the mezzadria the Chianina definitely had another function than today. “In the past the cattle was a work animal, a beast of burden. Now it’s only used for its quality meat,” Berti concludes.

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