The Carmen pear variety, created in 2000 by the CRA-FRF thanks to the work of Lorenzo Rivalta, is patented in the EU and in many other countries worldwide (Argentina, Brazil, China, Israel, Morocco, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and Uruguay).
Recently, the CRA-FRF gave the rights to sell, promote and spread the variety in all countries where it is patented - Italy excluded - to the CIV, Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti.
Mr. Walther Faedi, director of the CRA-FRF, is satisfied with the agreement, achieved through a public tender supported by the Innovation and Technological transfer Service of Rome's CRA.
"Carmen is performing well in all countries because of its excellent adaptability and agronomic characteristics. In addition, it can be harvested really early, twenty days before the William variety."
The chance to successfully grow the same variety in the Southern hemisphere too would mean that the produce could be available many months a year.
Marica Soattin, director of the CIV, told FreshPlaza that "thanks to the experience developed by our three partner nursery gardens - Vivai Mazzoni, Salvi Vivai and Tagliani Vivai - and to our international relations, the CIV is very much active in the varietal innovation of pear trees."
"Through the INN (International Nursery Net) and the direct activity of our nursery gardens, we also manage apples - we have launched many varieties as well as the club Modì® and Rubens® projects - strawberries and apricots."
"Thanks to their characteristics, Carmen pears are becoming very popular and therefore represent great potential," concludes Marica Soattin.
The promotion of the Carmen variety in Italy is managed directly by the CRA-FRF. At the moment, the dealers are:Azienda Agricola Barboni Gabriele, Azienda Agricola Quadrifoglio, Dalmonte Guido e Vittorio, Dalmonte Natale e figli, Geoplant Vivai, Griba Vivai, Maccanti Vivai, Pietro Chinaglia Vivai, Salvi Vivai, Tagliani Vivai International, Vitroplant Italia, Vivai Coop. Ansaloni, Vivai F.lli Zanzi, Vivai Giannoccaro, Vivai Gori, Vivai Piante Battistini, Vivai Mazzoni.
