Until the Noughties, Azienda Agricola G.E.V.A. (Acronym for Giuseppe, Emanuele and Andrea Vita) was one of those Italian companies strongly affected by the economic crisis. It was just a matter of letting it die or inventing something to keep it alive.
Everything started thanks to the memories of a trip Carmelo Vita (the father of the three brothers mentioned above, third from left in the photo above) took to the Netherlands. He started experimenting with the soil-less cultivation technique and was so successful that even the University of Palermo took an interest.
The history of the company
"In 1985 we started with Cantaloupe melons, greenhouse tomatoes and limited quantities of table grapes but, in 2000, with the arrival of significant quantities of tomatoes from developing countries sold at lower prices, we decided to focus on table grapes."
"In 1985 we started with Cantaloupe melons, greenhouse tomatoes and limited quantities of table grapes but, in 2000, with the arrival of significant quantities of tomatoes from developing countries sold at lower prices, we decided to focus on table grapes."
"In the meantime, my three children started working for the company as well. They focused on technological innovation and, after hearing my stories on soil-less cultivation in the Netherlands, they talked to their University professors and we started cooperating."
The three brothers managed to achieve something that seemed risky and impossible, a lot of money was required and it took a lot of commitment. Six years later, production is stable and abundant.
Where are table grapes cultivated?
Grapes are cultivated in pots filled with coir. G.E.V.A. has three structures that guarantee progressive ripening - greenhouses enable harvesting in mid May, "arched" structures are for harvesting in early June and tarpaulin structures are for harvesting from early July onward.
Grapes are cultivated in pots filled with coir. G.E.V.A. has three structures that guarantee progressive ripening - greenhouses enable harvesting in mid May, "arched" structures are for harvesting in early June and tarpaulin structures are for harvesting from early July onward.
"By using coir, we can cultivate with no rootstocks and limiting the use of chemicals. It is a closed-cycle system, i.e. all excess water is collected in a tank to be sanitised and reused. This way, we manage not to waste water or fertiliser and we do not pollute the soil and groundwater."
Another objective is a double production. "We achieved it but there is still room for improvement. We manage to provide the natural fertilisers plants need to develop excellent organoleptic qualities."
Two cycles a year
During the first cycle, plants are put in greenhouses in January and harvesting starts in mid-May. Afterwards, there are two alternatives. First alternative: part of the plants is pruned and fertilised to produce again in late October. Second alternative: part of the plants is brought outside and replaced by another set of plants (previously in cold-storage rooms) in early July. In these conditions, growth is exponential. Harvesting is again carried out in late October.
"We also carry out a few tests to see if the production period can be shifted. Each plant produces around 4 kg of grapes. We have 16,000 plants per hectare, so we harvest 64 tons per hectare. In traditional vineyards, one plant produces around 25 kg, but there are 1,100 plants per hectare."
"People are quite interested in this technique, so we have opened our greenhouses to representatives from the University of Agricultural Engineering in Chile and to a delegation from the Turkish Agricultural University and government interested in importing our model."
Last year, G.E.V.A. invested in greenhouse apricots. "We started harvesting on April 20th and have no competitors so far."
Harvesting and commercialisation
The harvesting of Victoria and Red Globe starts in late May, which is quite early. This way there are no competitors and sales are good abroad. The produce is sent to Northern Europe, France, Germany, England and Poland.
The harvesting of Victoria and Red Globe starts in late May, which is quite early. This way there are no competitors and sales are good abroad. The produce is sent to Northern Europe, France, Germany, England and Poland.
G.E.V.A. is now working to improve the logistics aspect and is building a new facility which should be ready in September. "We are convinced of the fact that, when combined with research and innovation, agriculture is a great opportunity for our territory."
Contacts:
Azienda Agricola G.E.V.A. s.s.
Via della Resistenza n 24
Favara (AG)
Cell.: 328 7051278