The Open Day organised by Azienda Agricola F.lli Monachino was a true success. The event was dedicated to Innovative techniques for apricot cultivation and, in addition to the over 200 people who attended in the morning, many more went by in the afternoon.
The company is a true combination of technology and nature, as apricot orchards are covered with a red photoselective net (see photo above).
The fruit display was particularly interesting. Agronomist Calogero Insalaca illustrated the extra-early varieties grown in a section of the orchard, which covers 27,000 metres in total.
Calogero Insalaca (second from left) illustrated the varieties grown by F.lli Monachino
Varietal diversification to stagger harvests
"The varieties grown - Rubista®, Wonder Cot®, Magic Cot®, Lilly Cot®, Mogador®, Farbaly® - are fleshy and particularly flavourful. Here, diversification is needed to stagger ripening and harvesting. Compared to the older varieties, these have a longer shelf-life, making them suitable to be exported."
Left to right: brothers Franco and Salvatore Monachino.
"The external colour is due partly to the photoselective nets. Apricots are particularly shiny with deep red streaks (see photo below)," adds co-owner Salvo Monachino.
The sponsors (Bayer Science Crop, Caldararero Calogero & C. SAS, Mocciaro Macchine Agricole, Serroplast, Sicilserre, Somet, Vitroplant Italia Srl) intervened to support the event and testify to the high-quality of a model company.
Azienda F.lli Monachino was established in the 1960s by the brothers' father Diego planted his first Italia table grape vineyard in Canicattì. After three years of commercialising his produce locally, he decided to ship his production to northern Italy, and to Milan and Turin in particular.
The Monachino brothers with their mother, Filomena Lupo.
"I still remember my father's enthusiasm when he reached the markets in the north and his surprise for the good feedback he received."
Over the years, the company implemented innovative techniques and systems as well as new products such as apricots and Golden Prince® melons (see photo below), currently being harvested.
The company focuses on three main crops:
- Table grapes: 600 tons of Italia and 300 tons of Red Globe for 13 hectares in total. 30% of the produce goes to Europe (France, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium, but also Switzerland), while the remaining 70% goes to the Arab Emirates and the Middle East, Indonesia and Malaysia.
- Apricots: of the above-mentioned varieties for a total of 700 tons cultivated on 27 Ha. The entire produce is commercialised on the domestic market.
- Melons: Golden Price, 350 ton grown on 10 Ha. 70% of the produce is sold in Italy while the rest goes almost entirely to Germany.
"Over the years, we have grown as individuals and as a company and our collaborators have grown too. The quality of a fruit does not only depend on its appearance and flavour, but also on the work carried out to harvest and sell it. And maybe even in terms of the quality of life we strive to provide to our 50 employees."
Operators at work in the 1,000 sq m packaging warehouse.
Azienda Agr. F.lli Monachino holds the GlobalGAP and Grasp certifications, implements integrated control techniques and is aiming at implementing organic cultivation techniques in the future.
Contacts:
Az. Agr. F.lli Monachino
Via Vitt. Emanuele, 228
Canicattì (AG)
Tel.: (+39) 0922853323
Cell: (+39) 3939001727
Cell: (+39) 3934884393
Email: fratellimonachino@yahoo.it