Abstract
In Italy, the most significant expected impacts in the coming decades will be a consequence of the exceptional rise in temperatures (especially in summer), determining an increase in frequency of extreme weather events and a reduction of average annual rainfall. Basically, maize crop is particularly employed in the feed sector, as principal cereal raw material, but in the current climate change context, it shows many potential weaknesses, represented by high-water demanding and an increased risk of aflatoxin contamination. The Parmigiano Reggiano (PR) supply chain, which represents one of Italy's most important dairy products and one of the world's most famous protected designation of origin (PDO) cheeses, is particularly vulnerable to these threats, as the main cereal component of the feed used in PR consortium is maize (more than 50%). Considering all these premises, the IMAGE LIFE project aims to extend resilient agricultural principles and the cultivation of water saving crops, such as sorghum, creating a virtuous model from an environmental, social and economic point of view for the production of PR cheese and potentially extendable to other European PDO products. In particular, the key purposes of the IMAGE LIFE project, are represented by the replacement of maize with sorghum and consequent reduction of dependence on maize grain imports and the optimization of the sorghum-based feed ration, maintaining cow productivity and milk quality. Through out the replication activities, the IMAGE LIFE concept will be extended to two French blue veined PDO cheese. The transnationally partnership gathers the resources of 8 partners, including one Italian University, three French Research Institutes, an important Italian consortium, two large Italian companies and one SME and comprises a complementary mix of expertise in agricultural/animal sciences, socioeconomic sciences, technological skills and communication, ideal to fulfil the ambitious aims of the project.
Project details
Unibo Team Leader: Giovanni Dinelli
Unibo involved Department/s:
Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-Alimentari
Coordinator:
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna(Italy)
Other Participants:
Progeo S.C.A.
(Italy)
Consorzio Del Formaggio Parmigiano-Reggiano
(Italy)
AgriTeS s.r.l
(Italy)
Institut National De Recherche Pour L'Agriculture, L'Alimentation Et L'Environnement-Inrae
(France)
Total Eu Contribution: Euro (EUR) 1.584.282,00
Project Duration in months: 48
Start Date:
01/11/2024
End Date:
31/10/2028
Cordis webpage
Project website
This project contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.
This project has received funding from the European Union's LIFE Programme under grant agreement No 101156343