CO.VI.L. (Consorizo Vivaisti Lucani) has devised a program defined as "the weeks of almond tree pruning" to raise awareness of the importance of pruning and to help growers learn how to manage tree foliage properly.
Growers, technicians and future producers learn more about how to distinguish innovative and traditional cultivating techniques. The series of events started off in Sicily, continued in Basilicata and Puglia and will end in Lazio on October 16th. In Castellaneta (Taranto), three events had to be organized due to the large number of people who wanted to attend.
Gianluca Petrocelli from Basilicata explained that "we are setting up groves in Montalbano Jonico and Tursi (Matera) as we want more opportunities for our company but also because there are great agreements in place with national confectionery companies. Our area is particularly suitable for the production of apricots, peaches and nectarines but, lately, it has become complicate to manage these crops due to climatic and commercial reasons. I have planted various almond varieties so I can assess which is the best one, then I will invest some more."
Producer Francesco Ardito from Puglia explains that "people say almond production can be profitable, so I decided to experiment on one hectare. These events enable us to acquire knowledge, develop ideas and talk to other technicians and producers."
Beatrice Pasqualini from Tuscany reports: "I've always being passionate about almond cultivation, but I have made mistakes too: four months ago, I planted some trees in an area near a river with lots of humidity, which is wrong. Experts should be contacted already when planting and events such as those organized by CO.VI.L. are extremely useful."