IMproving the resilience of pArmiGiano rEggiano supply chain - LIFE

Introduction

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 the frequency of extreme weather events and a reduction of average annual rainfall.

Vulnerability of Key Crops

Basically, maize crop is particularly employed in the feed sector as the principal cereal raw material. However, in the current climate change context, it shows many potential weaknesses, represented by high water demand and an increased risk of aflatoxin contamination.

Impact on Parmigiano Reggiano Supply Chain

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. The main cereal component of the feed used in the PR consortium is maize (more than 50%).

Project Objectives

Considering all these premises, the IMAGE LIFE project aims to extend resilient agricultural principles and the cultivation of water-saving crops, such as sorghum. This initiative seeks to create a virtuous model from an environmental, social, and economic point of view for the production of PR cheese, potentially extendable to other European PDO products.

Key Purposes

In particular, the key purposes of the IMAGE LIFE project are:

1. Replacement of maize with sorghum.
2. Consequent reduction of dependence on maize grain imports.
3. Optimization of the sorghum-based feed ration, maintaining cow productivity and milk quality.

Replication Activities

Throughout the replication activities, the IMAGE LIFE concept will be extended to two French blue-veined PDO cheeses.

Partnership and Expertise

The transnational partnership gathers the resources of 8 partners, including:

• One Italian University
• Three French Research Institutes
• An important Italian consortium
• Two large Italian companies
• One SME

This partnership comprises a complementary mix of expertise in agricultural/animal sciences, socioeconomic sciences, technological skills, and communication, ideal to fulfill the ambitious aims of the project.