Ensuring the country's food and energy self-sufficiency through a zero waste philosophy, respect for the environment, solidarity, innovation in production and recovery of traditions. These are the principles followed by the farm "First Leafletsof the young man Nile Sori which in Ravenna (Emilia Romagna) produces – without consuming soil, water and energy – the increasingly popular microgreens, from salads to aromatic plants, harvested at the moment of maximum concentration of vitamins and nutrients, up to 40 times more than the plant real leaf.
What are microgreens and why are they so popular
Until recently microgreens (or micro-vegetables) were considered a gourmet food, today instead thanks to the nutritional profile and the ease of cultivation they are also depopulating in the walls of the house. But what are microgreens? They are very young plants that are harvested between 7 and 21 days after sowing. The harvest takes place after the plant has put on the first real leaves. Therefore, it is a question of plants halfway between the shoots (whose growth takes place in 2-7 days from sowing) and the adult plant.
Un super food which guarantees well-being for the body and the environment. They are rich in nutrients and can "color themselves" with a thousand flavors depending on the species they belong to. They can be bitter, neutral, acidic and even spicy. In addition to enriching a cry and our body, their growing popularity is mainly due to the ease of cultivation: even on your own windowsill using minimal quantities of water and fertilizer. So much so that scientists from NASA and the European Space Agency have proposed them as a source of fresh food for astronauts on space missions.
The microgreens of the “Primefoglioline” company for home self-production
An entrepreneurial idea that also won the "Campagna Amica" category in the national final of theOscar Green, the contest promoted by Coldiretti Giovani Impresa to reward innovation that saves the planet and fights waste.
The company has developed its own digital crop control system (light, water consumption, temperature) and a kit for home self-production which can enable the consumer to become a home grower himself. In a few days with little space, the product is rooted inside the coconut fiber through the hydroponic technique and is ready for consumption.
Nilo grows first leaves of peas, radishes, amaranth, alfalfa, sunflower, fenugreek jasmine, but also borage, calendula, coriander, red basil, and much more. Products that are in great demand not only by chefs and the world of restaurants, but also by those who love to eat at home with taste. But the use of edible flowers it requires knowledge and a lot of study to find the perfect harmony between the ingredients, which is why "Prime Foglioline" makes its e-book available for free download online with many recipes that can be easily replicated at home.
Instead, among the particular and decorative vegetables, the company produces baby and adult yellow courgettes, baby gherkins, Bull's Blood beet leaves, Red and Green Mizuna, Pak Choi and other mixed salad varieties.
Agriculture is increasingly "young": 56.000 have bet on the land
But like Nilo, there are almost 56 young people in Italy who have chosen to build a future as agricultural entrepreneurs by investing in the land, so much so that an average of 18 new young businesses are born every day. Growing numbers that emerged from the analysis of Coldiretti, based on the report of the Centro Studi Divulga.
For too long Italy thought it could do without its agriculture, while we need to support young people who are building their future in agriculture by ensuring good and green development for our whole country. It's the thought of Ettore Prandini, president of Coldiretti. "The first pandemic and the war in Ukraine are prompting a historic return of the new generations to the countryside where they can express creativity and make a contribution to the country at a time when it is important to guarantee the food supply due to speculation, hoarding and export limits of citizens".
“Companies led by young people have increased by 2% in the last five years, have a surface area more than 54% higher than the average, a turnover 75% higher than the average and 50% more employees per company, percentages – commented the Delegate of Giovani Impresa Ravenna, Michael Graziani – which testify to the great strength, desire to do and innovative capacity that young people bring to agriculture and at the same time the appeal that the sector has in the new generations”.
