Agricola Franzese was established in 2011 by brothers Sandro and Piermario who, with the help of their father Giuseppe, built a high-tech hydroponic greenhouse.
"We work on 5,000 sq m and are specialised in date tomatoes and Salanova lettuce, which are cultivated using the hydroponic NFT and Dry Hydroponics techniques respectively. We produce lettuce the whole year round, whereas the tomato cycle goes from May to March."
The plants' roots remain in contact with a nutritional solution that flows 24-7. There is no substrate, so the solution can be warmed and be absorbed more easily by the plants, especially in winter.
"We chose hydroponics cultivation to distinguish ourselves on the market. In addition, it is an intensive type of cultivation so we can obtain considerable volumes in a limited space with practically no waste."
"What is more, it is a closed circuit system so groundwater is not polluted, no water is wasted and there is a drastic reduction in the use of fertilisers and pesticides."
The only problems were the fact that a lot of attention must be paid to the plants and the difficulty in making people understand the difference between this and conventional cultivation.
Agricola Franzese produces 30 tons of date tomatoes per year and 10,000 Salanova lettuce heads. With the help of specific laboratories, it also produces brine tomatoes and date tomato sauce.
These tomatoes are sweeter and less acidic than the traditional ones. They have a longer shelf-life and are really versatile. Salanotva lettuce is also sweeter and cleaner. Harvesting and packaging are carried out by hand.
"At the moment we are selling our products to restaurants, wine bars and small supermarkets. Our processed products are also exported to Germany."
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The Dry Hydroponics system is still being experimented and it could also be used to produce other crops. "We are focusing on lettuce at the moment, but we might opt for something else in the future."
The company would also like to introduce snack packets so the products can be sold in bars instead of croissants or to replace mid-morning snacks.
"We will also take part in Expo 2015 and in September chef Gennaro Di Pace will use our tomatoes in his menu."
Contacts:
Piermario Franzese
Agricola Franzese
C.da Pericelli (Uscita SS 106 Villapiana Scalo)
87076 Villapiana (CS)
Cell.: (+39) 340 7359970
Email: agricolafranzese@yahoo.it
Web: www.agricolafranzese.it