A research project to analyse diseases in Sicily was started in Agrigento. Regional councillor for Agriculture, Antonello Cracolici, illustrated the dynamics that led to this provision.
"It's a two-year project financed by the Department of Agriculture with funds from the Phitosanitary Service. It will be carried out by the Regional Department of Agriculture together with the Universities of Palermo and Catania and has the objective of analysing a type of larva that damages fruit as well as a type of bug that alters the flavour of pistachios and empties the shells."
"The first visit to the fields will take place on 28th June 2017. Over the past few days, a technical table to define the schedule took place at the Cabinet Office."
Regional councillor for Agriculture Antonello Cracolici
"We are building closer relationship between the public administration, university system and agricultural businesses to strengthen the strategies to defend our crops. Agriculture represents a strategic asset for our economy and an effective protective system is essential to safeguard our productivity and competitiveness."
"We are pleased with this initiative because it is precisely what we worked for in these past few years. We are registering no particular phytosanitary problems at the moment, but these activities will constitute a step forward in the fight against pistachio parasites. We are ready to offer our maximum cooperation to regional authorities and the academic world," reported Marcello Di Franco, President of the Pistacchio del Platani Producer Organisation.
But activities will not only concern pistachios: "we would like to safeguard the entire agricultural sector. Over the next few weeks, we will carry out tests also on hazelnut bugs, parasites that affect carobs as well as on the latest viruses that have recently affected tomatoes in the Ragusa area," explained Gaetano Cimò, general manager of the Department of Agriculture.