Fichera&Torrisi Farm, Sicily, Italy2018 Report

In this report:• The Fichera & Torrisi Farm

at a Glance

• 2018 INTERRA model dissemination

• Plans for 2019

The Fichera & Torrisi Farm at a Glance

Founded in the 1950s, the Fichera & Torrisi farm is specialized in the production and sale of table grapes to the national and international market. The farm is located in the territory of Chiaramonte Gulfi in the South-East of Sicily and belongs to Mazzarrone, the PGI – Protected Geographical Indication area for table grapes. The table grape production extends, without interruption over 110 ha.

The Fichera & Torrisi farm joined the INTERRA Farm Network in 2017. However, Syngenta began to work with the farm already in 2013 to implement sustainable agriculture practices on the farm. Since then, together with the farmer, we have implemented OPERATION POLLINATOR margins and have improved the mixing and loading area as well as the cleaning platform with HELIOSEC and storage facilities.

Thanks to continuous investments on innovation to follow market changes, Fichera & Torrisi farm can reach national and international markets with high quality standards and excellent quality.

“The Fichera & Torrisi farm has already been committed to progress in sustainability and has been implementing Best Management Practices since 2013. Joining the international Syngenta INTERRA Farm Network, we were further encouraged to develop and share innovation for the sustainable intensive agriculture, fully respecting natural resources of our territory, operators and consumers.”

Dr. Sergio Rizzo – Technical Manager

The Fichera & Torrisi Farm at a Glance

Area farmed 110 ha

Staff 1 technical manager, 70 workers (including temporary workers)

LocationC.da Mazzarronello97012 - Chiaramonte Gulfi (RG) - Italy

Typical climate Winter - 2o C -14o CSummer - 22o C - 32o CAnnual rainfall - 470 mm

Farm enterprises Family business with two owners

Soil type Sandy and clay soils

Focus areas Safe use and storage of crop protection products (mixing-loading and cleaning area with HELIOSEC; Biodiversity enhancement (OPERATION POLLINATOR); Runoff mitigation; Green Cover Crops, training and demonstration activities.

Innovation and Sustainability

The sustainability model of the INTERRA Farm is based on four dimensions: economic, environmental, social and institutional. In addition to the first three traditional dimensions the institutional aspect of this farm is crucial, because it emphasizes the important role of the authorities for an effective implementation of sustainable agriculture practices. The innovations displayed on this farm support the implementation of this model and thereby enhance the reach of sustainable agriculture outside of the INTERRA Farm Network.

Safe use of Plant Protection Products

The Fichera & Torrisi farm is a reference point for the safe use of Plant Protection Products. A range of activities were done to improve the safety of the farm, even before its integration into the INTERRA Farm Network. In partnership with 3M Company, a manufacturer specialist of personal protective equipment (PPE), we made the most advanced PPE available on the farm. With these activities, we improved the safe use on the farm as well as the training for operators.

During every visit, we dedicate demonstration sessions to the advanced devices, present on the farm. The mixing and loading device and digital counters increase the efficiency and the safety during these activities, which is critical for the prevention of risk operator exposure and point source contamination.

Multifunctional field margins

Biodiversity enhancement is a fundamental aspect of sustainable agriculture. In this context, the role of filed margins will increase in importance, because they help to comply with the new EU and National regulations. The implementation of field margins mitigates the risk of runoff by creating vegetative buffer strips, which arealready a compulsory requirement for some products in Italy.

New variants of OPERATION POLLINATOR were tested for their performance in dry conditions, typical of the Southern part of Italy. Thanks to this activity it was possible to identify the most suitable mixture, with the best ratio of different components, and an optimal management protocol, with identification of the best timing for seeding.

2018 INTERRA model dissemination

Second year activities were focused on the dissemination of the INTERRA model and the tools, with the aim to embed these concepts and technologies in the farm’s technical and business activities.

Special focus was dedicated to the knowledge dissemination and sharing with institutions, technical advisors and private consultants. With the whole set of activities we involved more than 470 people that visited the farm.

Ragusa and Syracuse technical network

We organized dedicated meetings with the Ragusa and Syracuse technical network, which are operational units of the Syracuse Agriculture Inspectorate. The visit and training activities were very successful and collaborative. A very good outcome was the decision to embed the INTERRA Farm model in the courses given to advisors and operators directly held by the Sicily Region.

Field days events

Technical training and demo activities in

Syracuse event

Giuseppe Taglia, manager in charge of the operational unit, technical assistance, business consultancy, training & information, told us after the event: ”The collaboration between Institutions and Syngenta has certainly brought benefits.Thanks to the inclusive approach INTERRA Farm is a starting point for the dissemination of culture and practice of sustainability. The video produced by Fichera & Torrisi Farm was embedded in the training courses for professional users of Plant Protection Products (PPPs). We have also carried out information days and field tests on the sustainable use of PPPs distribution equipment.Thanks to these meetings and trainings, even agricultural entrepreneurs are starting to be more aware of the needs for sustainable use of PPPs.Of course it will anyways be necessary to continue these training programs in the next years.”Technical training and demo activities in Syracuse event

The Calabria Region was also interested in the technology solutions provided on the farm, because of which we were able to install seven HELIOSEC devices.

OPAC Campisi eventA special day was the launch of the INTERRA Farm model, with Sicily Region endorsement and collaboration, within the Organization of Producers OPAC Campisi Company located in Siracusa. OPAC is a leader company in the agricultural segment with specific know how in the production of citrus and vegetables. This Organization of Producer (see OP) started its work in the national and international market since the early sixties.

Roberto Campisi tell us after the event: ”The INTERRA Farm project is the future of agriculture in the world, embodying the idea of environmental well-being applied to a sector in which the environment is the protagonist. In the last decades, agriculture has exploited and depleted the environment, with serious risk for future generations. Today, thanks to the INTERRA Farm project, the farmer becomes involved in environmental education and improvement, to match business interests with respect for nature.”

Field demo activities in OPAC Campisi event

OPERATION POLLINATOR new variants developmentMultifunctional field margis OPERATION POLLINATOR project was continued, in collaboration with our partner Padana Sementi Elette, in order to finalize the development and demonstration activities concerning new variants for arid climate.

Production Capacity

2019Plans for 2019 • After the finalization of the Runoff Tool

App, deploy this diagnostic tool within the technical networks and start the development of the Leaching Tool module, in order to raise awareness about the link between healthy soil and clean water.

• Promote a new on-farm advanced risk management, integrating a new analysis with Geographic Information System (GIS) technology support.

• Continue to develop and test Green Cover Crops in the inter-row of the vineyard and specific mixtures to protect the soil after planting of new vineyards.

• Continue the engagement of institutions (technical and political stakeholders), advisors and farmers, in order to promote the INTERRA Farm model as an alternative to product restriction.

• Continue the activity of the INTERRA Farm model dissemination both internally to Syngenta and externally to all relevant stakeholders.

INTERRA Farm model dissemination during a field day

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