With the study of our health and food habits that the project is stimulating, I've realized that I live in a very favourable geographical position.
Living in an
agricultural environment allows the people of the province of Oristano to have access to a number of bio food at acceptable costs.
In fact, what the elders say is distinguishing between "modern" productions and traditional production, "that are called bio nowadays", says Michela, 67 years old. "We've always done agriculture in the best of ways, with a high attention to the use and exploitation of the soil, of the seasons and of a wise use of water, which is not so abundant in these lands. It has always been good to
have fresh food on our doorstep, thanks to a small piece of land that my husband works during his free time: first of all because it's like having
a supermarket open 24/7, which is super when you have unexpected guests over for dinner, but also because we enjoy the seasonal food without forcing the seasons. Now TV and the press are constantly talking about bio food as the real innovation. Having always had it makes us feel really privileged".
This same picture can be extended to other parts of the island of Sardinia. Recently, our local newspaper published an interview to a young farmer living in Nuoro with his small family. He graduated at the University of Cagliari in Political Sciences, his wife in Environmental Science, but then decided to devote themselves to sustainable agriculture. First of all they acknowledged the situation in Sardinia, where
80% of agricultural products are imported from the rest of Italy or the Meditarranean ."This means that there is a market, we only have to conquer it". They produce only bio fruit and vegetables, and every week
deliver some 5 kilos to a network of families that are their trusted customers. They succeed in their project by applying some studies: first of all only endemic coltures, more accustomed to our climate, and therefore less needy of interventions of any kind (extra watering, chemicals, etc.). Then they plant
onion and garlic at the basis of the land, so that their strong
smells keeps damaging insects away. All around the land bushes of lavender and rosemary, which attract the "good" insects, like ladybirds. Also, they use straw to cover the soil, because it keeps the soil moist and there is less need of water.
