Base de Datos de Proyectos de PDR

A good example of an integrated approach to sustainable rural business development using EAFRD funds to enhance well-established principles of long-term co-operation, diversity/multifunctionality, product quality and organic land management.

The co-operative was created in 1977 by three farmers and in 1981 was converted to organic. Today it has 15 members and 15 employees. At the beginning it was mainly a dairy farm, but during the 1980’s the first diversification activities were undertaken adding two main activities: pig breeding and a vineyard. Today wine is the main agricultural activity of the cooperative. Further diversification activities have been agri-tourism, a restaurant, camping facilities and a shop for direct sales.

Main aims of the co-operative are: 1) Preservation of the territory through the adoption of sustainable development approaches that reduce environmental impacts and contribute to the preservation of the landscape, and; 2) Improving the added value of the products and the diversification of production. The aim of this project is to integrate the use of RDP measures 121 (farm modernisation) and 214 (agri-environment) to achieve these aims.

The co-operative is using RDP funding under measure 121 to build: i) a new wine storehouse; ii) a wine production plant with the aim of improving the quality and the traceability of the product; iii) paddocks for farm animals (mainly pigs) to improve animal welfare, and; iv) a covered manure yard. Meanwhile, agri-environment payments under measure 214 continue to support organic management of the farmland.

Project benefits include: i) improved wine production methods (notably the new storehouse) will maintain the wine at the right temperature in a more natural way leading to higher quality and less need for intervention; ii) the new processing plant will allow improving the traceability of wine and the safety of consumers; iii) enhanced competitiveness of the co-operative and its visibility in other Italian regions (which is likely to have direct benefits on the development of the territory).

The experience of the co-operative over the years has shown that organic agriculture and the use of more sustainable approaches to agriculture, linked with a diverse and multifunctional business structure, can help to secure the economic and social viability of rural areas. This includes also the involvement of local people with disabilities and special needs in agriculture.

The co-operative is located in the hills of Tortona, in the Piedmont region, province of Alessandria

Piemonte

Piemonte

https://www.valliunite.com/index.htm

Romina Conti

info@valliunite.com

Italian