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SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY FOOD, LOW POLLUTION: “FERTIBIO” TEAM STARTS PRODUCTION OF BIOFERTILIZERS IN TUSCANY. PROJECT PRESENTATIONS ON JULY 21 AND SEPTEMBER 7, 2017

Publication date: 21.07.2017
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United Nations' predictions of global population increase to the year 2025 require an expansion of food production of about 40-45%. The fertilizer industry has the responsibility to ensure safe and efficient production of high quality crop. Farmers need to replace the nutrients lost from the soil after crops are harvested and minimize the environmental impact.

The FERTIBIO project, as part of Misura 16.1 of 2014-2020 Tuscany Region Plan for the development of biofertilizers, aims to increase nutrient-use efficiency and limit the risk of agricultural pollution. Partners participating in the project include the Sant’Anna School Institute of Life Sciences, the Italian Institute of Technology and the Tuscany Farming Association. The Azienda agricola Luchino Grappi - Pienza (Siena), Giovanni Floriddia - Peccioli (Pisa) and Agricola Diaccialone – Grosseto, will provide the right environment for the basic process of fertilizer production and the reduction of direct atmospheric emissions from agriculture, such as ammonia, methane and nitrous oxide.

The sustainable intensification of Tuscany farming is achievable with the adoption of best agricultural practice, crop waste composting, the anaerobic digestion of manure and the latest cultivation and soil management techniques. Hence, biofertilizers play a very significant role in improving soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and accelerating those microbial processes which augment the availability of nutrients that can be easily assimilated by plants. Biofertilizers increase 15-35% additional yield in most of vegetable crops, some excrete antibiotics and thus act as pesticides and, more importantly, they do not cause atmospheric pollution and increase soil fertility.

During the first 6 months, the new project team members will start working as a group to develop future research and engagement activities. Working with a select number of partners, the researchers will create networks of innovators and technology entrepreneurs.

The project presentations have been scheduled at azienda agricola Grappi Luchino - Mulino Val D’Orcia - Podere Lamone 65, Pienza (Siena) on Friday, July 21, at 4.30 pm ; at azienda agricola biologica Giovanni Floriddia – Via della bonifica, 160- Loc. Cedri – Peccioli (Pisa) on Thursday, September 7, at 4.30 pm.

Attachments: project brochure and poster

Cover photo: production of biofertilizers