In order to better understand the "Progetto Melograno" (Pomegranate Project) promoted and developed in Italy by Cairo & Doutcher, the editors at FreshPlaza have visited the company's nursery garden and orchard in Puglia.
Uzi Cairo in one of the orchards in Puglia. Click here for the full photo report.
Uzi stresses that, "nowadays, Italy imports between 10 and 12,000 containers of fresh pomegranates, therefore the market is thriving. Not to mention the many uses of pomegranates in processed products such as juices, purees, natural colourings, fresh-cut, wines, capsules and even beauty products! If we consider this on top of the production, each hectare of pomegranate can create up to 15 jobs."
The market of pomegranate products is already thriving in Israel.
The entrepreneur sees the potential of cultivating pomegranates in Southern Italy: "The micro-climate of this area is great for the development and colour of fruits. The South could cover the production calendar from September until April. However, when making such investments, one must look at the ROIs, so there is a lot of difference if I manage to harvest 20 tons of fruit per hectare or 40!"
Plants bearing fruits. Click here for the full photo report.
Next year (2014), Uzi Cairo will celebrate 10 years of his research in the pomegranate cultivation field. Thanks to his efficient staff and to Israeli technician Yeuda Karon, the entrepreneur is revolutionising the pomegranate cultivation technique.
"The objective is to start producing rather quickly, after only 2.5 to 3 years after the tree has been planted," explains Uzi. To this end, the multiplication and growing phases in the nursery garden are very important, even essential. "It takes 18 months for the plant to develop a good root system. Then, post-harvesting stress is reduced to a minimum and rooting is guaranteed."
Uzi shows two different stages of pomegranate plants.
And there is more to it. In fact, the "Cairo technique" shows its full potential on fields: the soil must be mulched before planting and covered with white reflective plastic and manometers are used to measure the need for water. However, not all of the varieties have a good response to our technique. Only with ours we can obtain the best results," explains Uzi.
Click here for the full photo report.
We must say though, that the techniques imported in Italy by Uzi Cairo are useful also for other crops such as olive or fruit trees. Results are in fact amazing - just compare some pomegranate trees planted on the same date: half were cultivated using traditional methods (below left) and half with the Cairo & Doutcher one (below right). You won't believe your eyes!
For further info:
Uzi Cairo
Vivai Cairo&Doutcher di Uzi Cairo e figli
Cell.: +39 328 9863911
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.cairodoutcher.com
