20.2.19 marks the 3′ anniversary of ‘
Simenza – Cumpagnia Siciliana Sementi Contadine.
‘. An association established to collect, preserve and enhance the heritage of biodiversity Of agricultural interest in Sicily. From seed to table an intact supply chain, in the name of progress.
Simenza, the biodiversity network
Simenza is a community of Sicilian farmers and breeders who cultivate and raise only local varieties, with the idea of recovering the values linked to a thousand-year-old farming history. To guard, promote and enhance the agro-
biodiversity
of the island, where rice cultivation has also resumed
. And free Sicilian farmers from the yoke of the 4 global seed monopolists.
The association was created
to fulfill a concrete need, to enroll the more than 50 ecotypes of native wheat
present in Sicily to the National Register of Varieties of Agricultural and Horticultural Species. Thus, the special Regional Commission was reactivated and has already accepted 22 applications for 10 varieties of wheat. In this way, genetic resources, which belong to the fundamental rights of farmers recognized by the United Nations,
have been removed from the cravings of the
Big 4
.
The main activity of more than a hundred member farmers is the cultivation of native wheat populations. And today the approximately 2,500 hectares cultivated by Simenza members, out of the total 4,000 in Sicily, are sown to ‘
ancient grains
‘
. It is intended to create value in agriculture in Sicily at a time in history when income is particularly difficult. Under the banner of all-round sustainability and respect for an environment no longer able to withstand ‘conventional’ farming practices.
Simenza, participatory genetic improvement. The ‘grain of peace’
Participatory (or evolutionary) genetic improvement engages the people of the land and those of science to work together, in the search for genotypes best suited to environmental conditions and farmers’ needs. From Syria, thanks to Prof. Ceccarelli who worked at the ICARDA Research Center until just before the war broke out, a mixture of soft grains called ‘Evolutivo‘ came to Sicily.
‘
Evolutionary’
is a mix
of about two thousand wheat varieties and 750 crosses (!). A
boom
of biodiversity, enabling the production of a flour whose qualities are appreciated by a wide range of master pastry chefs, bakers and pizza makers in Italy and abroad, so much so that it has already won prestigious awards.
‘Grain of peace‘ is the name given by the farmers of ‘Simenza’ to this wheat mix, which they provide for the care and multiplication of, in the hope of soon bringing it back to its motherland. With that spirit of solidarity and mutual aid that has always characterized rural civilization.
Organic and regenerative agriculture serving ConsumAtors
Eighty-five percent of Simenza member farms produce under certified organic farming, and many of them adopt regenerative farming techniques. Food security and food sovereignty represent two pillars of the Association, which after its first year of running-in is now trying to implement a very ambitious, almost revolutionary strategy. Enabling consumers to eat well at affordable prices by prioritizing local demand over domestic and foreign demand.
A consortium-formed by farmer and rancher members-is now budding from a branch of Simenza. With the aim of composing a basket of products certified on the basis of strict production specifications, subject to a participatory guarantee system. Therefore, the Association’s trademark will be granted as a guarantee to those who produce and those who buy. To this end, Simenza has endowed itself with a Scientific Technical Committee made up of top researchers and scholars from Sicilian research institutions, who make their professionalism and knowledge available to members.
Hasta la #Simenza Siempre!
Simenza is a role model
for those who, like us, consider it necessary and urgent to change the paradigm in the agrifood supply chain
. Under the banner of agro-biodiversity, respect for the environment, fair remuneration for those who produce and those who work, research aimed at improvement, and dialogue with consumers. A model that, as we have also seen, is flourishing in Italy itself thanks to various laudable initiatives. From #ChainForFood
at #FilieraAmoreTerra
, with support from #IdentikEat
and the on-shelf perspective of #WhoIsTheMaster.
.
Hasta la #Simenza, Siempre!
Dario Dongo and Paolo Caruso
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Agronomist, collaborates with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment of the University of Catania, Agronomy and Herbaceous Crops section. Researcher on ancient Sicilian grains.
