"Filling the gaps in the season with Eshkol and Maraskino"

"Since we first launched the Eshkol (vine) and Maraskino (cocktail plum) tomato varieties in May, feedback from producers have been positive," reports Lucio Colombo, Portfolio Marketing Manager for Monsanto Italia. We met him during the Open Day in Acate (RG) in Sicily.

Above: visitors during the Open day in Acate (RG).

The Monsanto welcome team.

In the morning, Monsanto technicians (see photo above) welcomed the around 400 local visitors to explain the peculiarities of the Eshkol and Maraskino varieties. They also provided advice, solved generic cultivation problems and planned meetings.

Maraskino

Maraskino bunch tomatoes can be grown all year round and are resistant to TYLCV. Giuseppe La Terra Pirrà, agronomist from Libretti, confirmed that the variety can be grown throughout the year thus filling any gaps.

"Retailers required a product with these characteristics available 12 months a year but we didn't have anything like that. Maraskino undoubtedly represents a commercial advantage for us."

Eskhol has excellent setting and resistance to cracking. Transplant calendar: January to late March in the north with harvesting from mid-March to late August; January to late March and from mid-July to early August in central/southern Italy with harvesting from mid-March to late November. In Sicily: January to late March with harvesting between mid-March and late November.

Above, Eshkol: vigorous plant with medium-long internodes. Bright red fruit with excellent grades. Regular bunches with 5-6 fruits. Excellent shelf-life.

Fabio Occhipinti transplanted Eskhol plants in early August and obtained a good production. He tells his impressions in the video interview below.

Video interview with producer Fabio Occhipinti

Giuseppe La Terra Pirrà, agronomist from Libretti, together with Lucio Colombo, Portfolio Marketing Manager for Monsanto Italia.

Another element that emerged is how the production world appreciates events such as that organised by Monsanto. "These events are very important not only so we can learn about new products, but also because we are introduced to new solutions such as the agronomic techniques implemented by a model company such as Monsanto."

Above, Maraskino: vigorous plant with medium-long internodes. Fruits are uniform with a bright red colour. Bunches are elegant with fleshy green parts. Excellent shelf-life. Transplant calendar: January to late July in the north with harvesting from mid-March to mid-October; January to late July with harvesting from mid-March to mid-October in central/southern Italy. In Sicily: January to late March and late June to December with harvesting all year round.

"Our approach is different from multinational stereotypes. There would be no vegetables without producers, so they are very important to us. We have almost a romantic image of growers who work the land with their own hands. But there is also a lot of research and innovation behind every product, to be able supply produce that is safe for human health and good to eat," explained Monsanto's Portfolio Marketing Manager.

But the company also cares about retailer needs, as produce must be available to buy all year round. "Sometimes we forget agriculture depends on many factors in addition to climate and natural events. Nowadays, we cannot think about not considering all the interlocutors part of the chain. Monsanto acts as an observer to make sure final consumers get the guarantees they need."

"Producers are at the centre of our activities. Our mission is precisely to support growers and provide products and services", Lucio Colombo concludes. "Growers tell us now that the two varieties are exactly as we advertised them, which we are very pleased about", he laughs. "On top of our products and services, the technical assistance we provide is also important, as we work in symbiosis with producers."

Contacts:
Monsanto Agricoltura Italia Spa

Paolo Pesaresi
Executive Area Manager Sicilia
paolo.pesaresi@monsanto.com
Cell +39 3355208920

Nunzio Guastella
TD Pomodoro Italia
nunzio.guastella@monsanto.com
Cell +39 3316593844