On 20.2.19 the 3rd anniversary of 'Simenza – Sicilian Company of Peasant Seeds’. An association founded to collect, preserve and enhance the heritage of biodiversity of agricultural interest in Sicily. From seeds 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 values linked to a millenary peasant history. To preserve, promote and enhance the agro-biodiversity of the island, where it has also been resumed growing rice. And free Sicilian peasants from the yoke of the 4 global seed monopolists.
The association was founded to fulfill a concrete need, register over 50 native wheat ecotypes present in Sicily to the National Register of agricultural and horticultural species varieties. Thus, the dedicated Regional Commission has been reactivated and has already accepted 22 registration requests relating to 10 wheat varieties. In this way, genetic resources, which belong to the fundamental rights of peasants 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 native wheat populations. And today the about 2500 hectares cultivated by Simenza members, out of the 4000 total 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 overall sustainability and respect for an environment no longer able to bear ‘conventional’ agricultural practices.
Simenza, participatory genetic improvement. The 'wheat of peace'
Participatory genetic improvement (or evolutionary) engages men of the land and those of science to work 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 shortly before the war broke out, a mixture of soft wheats called ‘Evolutionary’.
‘Evolutionary’ is a mix of about two thousand varieties of soft wheat and 750 crosses (!). A boom of biodiversity that allows the creation of a flour whose qualities are appreciated by a wide range of master pastry chefs, bakers, and pizza makers both Italian and foreign, so much so that it has already received prestigious awards.
‘Wheat 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 motherland. With that spirit of solidarity and mutual aid that has always characterized rural civilization.
Organic and regenerative agriculture at the service of Consumers
85% of the associated farms in Simenza operate under certified organic farming and many of them adopt regenerative agriculture techniques. Food security and sovereignty represent two pillars of the Association, which after its first year of trial is now trying to implement a very ambitious, almost revolutionary strategy. Allowing 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 aim of creating a basket of certified products based on strict production guidelines, subjected to a participatory guarantee system. The Association's trademark will therefore be granted as a guarantee for those who produce and those who buy. To this end, Simenza has established a technical scientific committee made up of the best researchers and scholars of Sicilian research institutions, who put their professionalism and knowledge at disposalof 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 supply 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 that, as has also been seen, is flourishing right 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 of the University of Catania, Agronomy and Herbaceous Crops section. Researcher on ancient Sicilian wheat varieties.
