Italian farmer battles frost, floods, heat and hail in epic year

FORLI, Italy, July 20 (Reuters) - Farmer Andrea Ferrini is on the frontline of climate change in Italy and it is hurting.

First his fruit and corn crops in northern Italy withered in a hard frost, then they were hit by torrential rains and record flooding, followed by an exceptional heatwave and finally hail storms.

"It has certainly been a disastrous year," said Ferrini. "Making money from my farm is becoming difficult with this changing climate. Even planning for future years is becoming really challenging."

Ferrini, 52, has owned a farm in the fertile Emilia-Romagna region since 2003. He has 15 hectares (37 acres) of vines and orchards, which produce kiwi and peaches, and also grows corn.

In a normal year he produces around 1,000 quintals (100,000 kg) of fruit and grapes, but this year he expects to harvest no more than 200-300 quintals.

"I am discouraged, but I am not giving up," he said, bowing his head as pent up emotions swell.

His troubles...
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