On 20.2.19 the 3rd anniversary of 'Simenza – Sicilian Company of Peasant Seeds'. An association born to collect, preserve and enhance the heritage of biodiversity of agricultural interest in Sicily. From seed to table an integrated supply chain, in the name of progress.
Simenza, the biodiversity network
Simenza is a community of Sicilian farmers and breeders who cultivate and breed only local varieties, with the idea of recovering the values linked to a millenary peasant history. To preserve, promote and enhance the agro-biodiversity of the island, where it has also resumed rice cultivation. And free Sicilian farmers from the yoke of the 4 global seed monopolists.
The association was born to fulfill a concrete need, to register the over 50 ecotypes of autochthonous wheat present in Sicily in the National Register of varieties of agricultural and vegetable species. Thus, the relevant Regional Commission was reactivated which has already accepted 22 registration requests relating to 10 wheat varieties. In this way, the genetic resources, which belong to the fundamental rights of farmers recognized by the United Nations, have been taken away from the greed of Big 4.
The main activity of over a hundred associated farmers is the cultivation of populations of autochthonous wheat. And today the approximately 2500 hectares cultivated by Simenza members, out of a total of 4000 in Sicily, are sown with ‘Ancient grains’. The aim is to create value in agriculture in Sicily, at a historical moment of particular income difficulty. Under the banner of comprehensive sustainability and respect for an environment no longer able to withstand ‘conventional’ agricultural practices.
Simenza, participatory genetic improvement. The 'grain of peace'
Participatory genetic improvement (or evolutionary) involves land workers and scientists working together in the search for genotypes best suited to environmental conditions and farmers' needs. From Syria, thanks to Prof. Ceccarelli who worked at the ICARDA research center until shortly before the war broke out, a mixture of soft wheat called ‘Evolutionary'.
‘Evolutionary’ is a mix of approximately two thousand varieties of soft wheat and 750 crosses (!). A boom of biodiversity that allows the production of a flour whose qualities are appreciated by a wide audience of master pastry chefs, bakers, and pizzaioli both Italian and foreign, so much so that it has already received prestigious awards.
‘Grain of peace’ is the name given by the farmers of ‘Simenza’ to this wheat mix, which they take care to preserve and multiply, hoping to soon bring it back to its homeland. With that spirit of solidarity and mutual aid that has always characterized rural civilization.
Organic and regenerative agriculture serving the Consumer-Actors
85% of the associated farms in Simenza produce under certified organic farming and many of them adopt regenerative agriculture techniques. Food security and sovereignty represent two pillars of the Association, which after the first year of testing is now trying to implement a very ambitious, almost revolutionary strategy. Allow consumers to eat well at affordable prices, favoring local demand over national and foreign.
A consortium – formed by farmer and breeder members – is now budding from a branch of Simenza. With the goal of composing a basket of certified products based on strict production regulations, subjected to a participatory guarantee system. The Association's brand will therefore be granted as a guarantee for those who produce and those who purchase. To this end, Simenza has established a technical scientific committee made up of the best researchers and scholars from Sicilian research institutions, who make their professionalism and knowledge availableof the members.
Hasta la #Simenza Siempre!
Simenza is a reference model for those who, like us, consider it necessary and urgent to change the paradigm in the agri-food chain. Under the banner of agro-biodiversity, respect for the environment, fair remuneration for producers and workers, research aimed at improvement, dialogue with consumers. A model which, as has also been seen, is flourishing precisely in Italy thanks to various commendable initiatives. From #ChainForFood a #FilieraAmoreTerra, with the support of #IdentikEat and the shelf perspective of #Chièilpadrone.
Hasta la #Simenza, Siempre!
Dario Dongo and Paolo Caruso
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT – Food Times) and Égalité.
Paolo Caruso, agronomist, collaborates with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the University of Catania, Agronomy and Herbaceous Crops section. Researcher on ancient Sicilian wheat.
