"Without innovation, the agricultural world is doomed. If it is carried out correctly and with the utmost professionalism, innovation can revive our sector, which is in great distress due to the many climatic and commercial challenges," said Loris Gentile, former commercial manager of Planasa Italia and founder of the Gentile Group, a cooperative based in Policoro, in Southern Italy, specialized in the production and sale of strawberries and berries.
"We care a lot about research and innovation. This is why we launched Fruplant Lab Italia®, a project that collects all the research programs around the world, tests them in the field, and then sells the most interesting and performing varieties. This project brings together companies, nurseries and end customers (producers)".
Loris Gentile
"We will start with researching strawberry varieties. At a later stage, we will also include other fruit species. Fruplant will work with transparency and will also provide customers with access to an exhibition area equipped with experimental sites to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each variety.
"This will be followed by bi-monthly meetings and conferences, useful to take stock of the situation with farmers and experts in the field - provided that the pandemic emergency will allow us to do so. There will also be trips abroad to cooperatives and companies to experience innovation and get feedback from those who have already invested in the new crop. Once the research is complete, the best varieties will be selected and assessed according to their potential impact on the market. Only the most interesting ones will be included in the Fruplant project".
Experimental Fields - New Strawberry Varieties
"We will provide a turnkey project for all the companies/multinationals that are interested in the Italian market, starting from Southern Italy”.
"We do not want farmers to pay, at their own expense, for any failures
in the development field. If innovation is not backed up with technical data and expertise, it could get lost, thus making the work done by breeders, researchers and companies that have invested in genetic improvement projects for years, useless."
"In recent times, agriculture has been undergoing a rapid change. You can't keep up with varietal innovation, which is already changing market trends. Therefore, efforts must be focused on bringing together agronomic skills, business, and marketing know-how, while believing in long-term projects."
"At Fruplant Lab Italia, we will be in charge of both patented and club varieties to avoid illegal multiplication of the nursery plants and we will be a reference point for the local for local licenses. By the end of January, we will select the projects that are of interest and that we believe in, also taking into account new species that are not yet widespread in the Mediterranean area."
For more information:
Progetto Fruplant Lab Italia
(+39) 379 2280437
direzione@gentilegroupitalia.it