Progetto Energie Rinnovabili da Colture Agricole (E.Ri.C.A.): un'opportunità per le aziende agricole di diversificare e consolidare fonti di reddito

The project, funded under the "Misura 124 (PSR Sicilia 2007-2013)”, has the aim of increasing the competitiveness of Sicilian farmers through the transfer of innovations in product and process and the dissemination of knowledge in energy sector from renewable sources. Objectives of this study are the introduction of oilseed crops (Brassica carinata and Cynara spp.) in rotation with durum wheat, the improvement of quantity and quality of production and the healthiness of wheat grains, the advantage of biofumigation activity due to the isothiocyanates from Brassica carinata against foot rot and root rot pathogens, the optimization of a corporate facility for oil extraction from seeds of B. carinata and Cynara spp. and the subsequent transformation into biodiesel, the production of pellets from residual biomass to be used for energy purpose, to promote energy independence of farms. The trial was carried out in seven cereal farm of about 2.5 ha each (project partners), located in three Sicilian district (Palermo, Enna, Caltanissetta), in order to evaluate different cultivation technique in diverse environmental and soil conditions.