Giacomo Suglia, sole administrator of Consorzio Nu.Va.U.T. explains how 24 companies have initiated a collaboration with CREA to select and multiply new promising table grape cultivars suitable for the Puglia territory. The project was presented on 11th September 2018 at Fiera del Levante in Bari.
Speakers' table
Puglia is the leading producer region on a European level and the third one on a global level. According to what referred by the director of Centro CREA di Viticoltura ed Enologia Riccardo Velasco, "we started improving our varieties 15 years ago and we're now starting to see the results. We didn't expect such a positive feedback by so many companies. Our main objective is to make space for table grape varieties developed by Italian researchers that can constitute a valid alternative compared to the cultivars developed by known breeders."
The great advantage is that they are selected and produced in Puglia, so it's a valid opportunity for companies to commercialize valid grapes while at the same time not having to pay any royalty.
"Our purpose is to develop new products and make sure they are appreciated. This public-private partnership is a positive example that can be potentially extended to other sectors such as citrus fruit, tomatoes or peaches. In the future, we will also work on the resistance to the main issues."
Giacomo Suglia concludes by saying that "it's very important for producers to be directly involved. The first step was working together and investing on this program. Over the next couple of years, we will also deal with commercialization so as to make the most of our investment. This is a great occasion for our territory."
Producer Angelo Di Palma also took part in the presentation and stressed how "companies need to rethink how we can be competitive. In a global market where our competitors can be anywhere, price cannot be the only element of differentiation. We must be the first ones to change, planning productions using 2.0 technologies and working together."
Watch the speech by Angelo Di Palma
Contacts: info@nuvaut.it