“It is a project that bases its scaffolding on sustainability and on farm to fork, which will guarantee the consumer not only on the production quality full traceability, but also to certify to him that all the processing steps were carried out in strict compliance with the regulations that protect the worker and the environment. And for all the producers involved it represents a great business opportunity for increase sales volumes through the full valorisation of their olives and the oil that derives from them”.
The agronomist Manlius Cassander (in the picture) – called to develop the olive oil supply chain project of Open them (OP with 1.300 members and 6 hectares of olive groves between the provinces of Bari and Bat) in collaboration with AIFO (Italian Association of Oil Millers) – highlights the peculiarities of an initiative which, according to some estimates, could develop overall investments for 50 million, competing in the tender for the agri-food chains of the Pnrr which, as known, has a total budget of 850 million (from 4 to 50 million the funding for each project).
Through this interregional supply chain agreement, the adhering subjects will be able to make investments in olive groves, in mills, in the construction of plants for the valorisation of by-products and the production of energy, in logistics, in e-commerce. From 40 to 50% the public contribution for eligible expenses, for a minimum investment of 100 thousand euros for interventions connected to primary production (new olive groves, construction or modernization of rural buildings, purchase of machinery for irrigation or energy systems) and of 400 thousand euros for those related to processing and marketing (structures, plants, machinery and equipment).
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Aifo sticker that will characterize the oil offered for sale by this supply chain contract - continues Cassandro - will be synonymous with full sustainability, allowing the consumer to have a whole series of useful information on the product, starting from whether the oil is organic or in production integrated, with the ministerial certification of the legality network, with a traceability system based on blockchain technology and above all with the additional ISCC Plus sustainability certification, one of the most sought-after standards by large-scale retailers".
And there is a further added value that this supply chain agreement offers: "The full recognition of this brand - adds Cassandro - will be transmitted a national communication campaign which, as stated in the notice, it will last four years".
The project, which makes use of the scientific support of the Crea and Abruzzo Technological District, will guide companies in a path of sustainability and research that passes from the production specification to precision agriculture tools, with the aim of reducing the water impact, pesticide interventions and all those actions that represent unnecessary costs for the environment and the productions. “There will be no shortage – adds Cassandro – actions to valorise processing waste, such as a biomethane production plant to be built between Andria and Canosa, as well as interventions for enhance logistics in an intelligent storage logic which will also have the effect of calming the speculative effects.
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