\ Innovazione \ PROMOTION AND DEFENCE OF THE GRAPES OF THE CARSO REGION

It is possible to promote and defend the speciality of the Carso region thanks to science and technology. One example lies with the development of systems of genetic and sensorial certification of products, including the use of innovative agronomy practises able to combine authenticity, tradition and efficiency. Collaboration already has been on going in this sense for some time between the GAL Carso – LAS Kras and AREA Science Park, who have now found new partners with the University of Udine and Michigan State University. The partnership has been brought about through the Innovation Forum Italia – USA , organised last week in Trieste by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.

In particular, the development of a research programme has begun, linked to the problems caused by climate change which on a worldwide scale is causing a decrease in water resources and the transfer of crop cultivation that is put under pressure by the increase in temperatures.  The question also regards the future prospects for wine-making and grape-growing production, including the vineyards of the Carso region. For this reason, researchers from Michigan State University and the University of Udine have visited a series of vineyards and farms in the Carso region in recent days, developing with the GAL and AREA a series of proposals: exchange between the USA and Italy in agronomy skills, technology and innovation useful to the analysis and development of production; promotion and defence of production specialities of the Carso region, through systems of genetic and sensorial certification; an intensive training course dedicated to farmers to share agronomy practises that facilitate the increase of productivity and the quality of the products.

“Grapes have great potential for adaptation to climate changes with respect to other crops, at least as far as the increase in temperature and carbon dioxide are concerned”, explains Paolo Sabbatini, Associate Professor at Michigan State University. “The great challenge for grape-growing in the future will be to predict the physiological responses of the grapevines to the changes and to develop the consequent innovative agronomy strategies to solve the problems”.

“The final objective of this strategy”, emphasises David Pizziga, President of the GAL, “is the development, promotion and sale of the technology and skills that emerge from what we might define the ‘Carso Laboratory’. We are counting on being able to access specific European funds to start the project”.

GAL CARSO – LAS KRAS: the GAL Carso is a consortium that includes partners who are both private subjects and public agencies. The GAL uses European funds for Rural Development principally which, through tenders and its own projects, must be useful for the economic, social and cultural development of the territory. The GAL Carso has competence over the territory of the Carso in the provinces of Trieste and Gorizia. Some five GALs exist in the Friuli Region, about 200 in Italy and about 2000 throughout Europe. The President of the GAL Carso – LAS Kras has been since February 2015 David Pizziga. A native speaker of both Slovenian and Italian, pharmacist by training, with a Masters in Business Management, he has much international experience in Marketing and Business Sales. Other members of the Board of Directors are Pierantonio Belletti and Jessica Štoka.