"I believe climate change is the main culprit for the critical situation that has been affecting Italian citrus fruit over the past three years. Given the high temperatures and prolonged drought, only the rain will save our citrus groves. The institutions should do their part when it comes to agricultural policies so as to deal with the persistent seriousness of the situation in the sector. Fundamental in this direction is the support of specific experts, so that the results obtained can be concretely replicated to help a sector that has been neglected by the policies," reports Paolo Ganduscio, agronomist and owner of the Ganduscio farm.
"By carefully observing the plants in my citrus grove - which I have been growing organically for 30 years - I have somehow managed to limit the damage caused by water shortages, also thanks to the fact that chemicals do not set foot on my land. The undergrowth is therefore rich in over 50 plant essences, including medicinal plants such as mallow, nettle, sorrel, borage, whose roots live in symbiosis with those of the orange trees."
Agricola Ganduscio is a 12-hectare family business located in Ribera. It specialises in the organic cultivation of oranges of the Washington Navel and Vanilla varieties, and is part of the Arancia di Ribera DOP consortium. Washington Navel is a well-known variety, and the added value is the local microclimate that enriches it with flavours and fragrances that make it very special. An ambassador of Sicilian Oranges, Paolo Ganduscio is also dedicated to researching and creating recipes both sweet and savoury.
Weather permitting, the commercial campaign lasts from November to April. The company includes a pond and a 1,200-square-meter factory, suitable for processing and preserving oranges and where the fruit is washed, brushed, and graded. The result is a product with an edible peel, as it is not subjected to any post-harvest treatment. The production holds the GlobalGAP, Bio, and PDO certifications and is marketed both in Italy and (up to 50%) abroad to France and Germany.
"I assist other producers in the area who are also passionate about biodiversity and sustainable cultivation and trust my management. This is generally shaping up to be a short campaign, which began on 12 November with Navelina. We are now continuing with Washington, which will be available until early March, yet everything will depend on market absorption, considering that we will have a volume of marketable oranges that is 50% lower, given the smaller sizes caused by the drought."
"By administering 1,200 cubic meters of water per hectare as opposed to the usual 2,000, I have also saved production thanks to multi-factor cultivation measures that help us a lot. Natural mulching is essential, as it reduces soil temperature by creating a protective film, which we obtain by shredding the vegetation under the canopies. I have also verified that bare tilled soil reaches temperatures of up to 50°C, which puts the plants at risk, while the same untilled soil if kept grassed (while shredding the vegetation underneath), maintains temperatures within 35°C. It is also important to know how to manage pruning, and especially delay spring pruning, which is the most important because it coincides with flowering. In this sense, it is useful to bear in mind that foliage with large leaves requires more water."
"That for oranges is one of the true, great passions of my life. The time spent in the midst of my trees, enjoying the scent of the orange blossoms and the spectacle of the branches laden with fruit are certainly among the most beautiful moments of my working day. This is to say that nature if we observe it, helps us find the most appropriate solutions. That is why I am sure that the sector will flourish again if and when we will have a farmer at the helm of national policies! I would like to ask politicians for a Marshall Plan to help the agricultural sector by favoring long-term planning and putting an end to shortcomings in cooperation. We are far behind others, I am thinking for example of Spain, despite the fact that we are the country with the largest area invested in organic farming in Europe."
For more information:
Paolo Ganduscio
Azienda Agricola Ganduscio Paolo
S.S. 115 - Contrada Verdura
92016 Ribera (AG) - Italy
(+39) 366 3605119
[email protected]
www.ganduscio.it