Agrinova - Acireale, Sicily (Italy)
Oranges, mandarines, lemons, grapefruits,
grapes, peppers, tomatoes.
Area: 300 hectares.
“Complementing each other
within the group means that we can guarantee continuity in production
and distribution!”
When Francesco Ancona finished his university studies in agronomics,
organic farming was still unknown territory: "I was interested,
but I did not have any experience or expertise. I learnt by travelling
around in Italy and talking to foreign experts attracted by the
favourable growing conditions in Sicily."
In 1987, he helped to create Agrinova, the aim of which is to
help and advise producers. Two years later, Agrinova became a
company which, in addition to its technical consultancy role,
markets products grown by 24 producers: "In the beginning,
the Co-operative specialised in citrus fruits. Now, it is also
producing vegetable field crops, since the market requires us
to diversify our produce."
For Francesco, the dissemination of information is one of the
Co-operative's priorities: "We also have an educational role.
This year, we visited primary and secondary schools to encourage
young people to think about organic farming and the environment."
For him, the Mandala agronomists guarantee the quality of the
production line. In this respect, he strongly emphasises the need
to adapt the product to the land rather than the other way round.
"The policy we have always pursued is to analyse the soils
in the different regions and to encourage producers to grow products
which suit those soils."
Marcello Eberle, the Sales Director, places a lot of emphasis
on the importance of communication within the network: "It
is not just about selling our products but about communicating
among ourselves and with the distributors. This is our way of
helping to protect the environment and the consumer."
