A New Model for Sustainable and Efficient Water Management
The Tomato Water Project, a three-year strategic initiative to promote rational, efficient, and sustainable water management within the tomato processing supply chain has been launched. Coordinated and led by OI Pomodoro da Industria del Nord Italia, the project is set to receive 400.000 euros, 90% financed by the Emilia-Romagna 2023 PSR Call for Proposals – COPSR 2023-2027 framework.
This long-awaited project intends to assess the water balance of Northern Italy, starting from the comparison between water needs and water availability in key areas for tomato cultivation (Piacenza, Parma, and Ferrara). The goal is to identify potential water-related challenges and enable stakeholders to optimize water use and make management decisions, based on acquired objective data, in order to better face critical situations. One of the main objectives of the Tomato Water Project is to develop a tool that identifies the gaps between water demand and actual availability in various areas throughout the year. Additionally, the scientific assessment of water requirements for both agricultural irrigation and industrial processing will play a key role in supporting the supply chain’s efforts to request structural measures for improving water supply.
OI Pomodoro da Industria del Nord Italia will oversee the project, with Producer Organizations, with their farmers, providing data on water needs, and Land Reclamation Consortia offering real-time water availability updates. The Catholic University of Piacenza, CER-Canale Emiliano Romagnolo will analyze the data in order to create a model and will conduct economic evaluations.
This initiative highlights OI Pomodoro’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, helping the supply chain manage water resources effectivelyandaddress climate change challenges while fostering collaboration with institutions.
Read and download the press release here.
