Regenerative farming for Vialone rice

Promoting organic farming, the reduction of environmental impact, and the respect and restoration of ecosystems is a fundamental objective for the Veneto Regional Complement for Rural Development (CSR) 2023-2027, and has also been so for the 2014-2022 programming of the Rural Development Plan.

In fact, in its first two years the CSR has already financed more farms devoted to organic farming than the entire Psr: 1385 applications with EUR 52 million compared to 1,145 applications with EUR 44.6 million.

Elia Antoniazzi, head of the La Rindola farm in Altissimo (a mountain village in the province of Vicenza, in the Lessinia Park) accessed Psr support as a young entrepreneur in 2013 and CSR funds for other initiatives.

All centred around his business, which has been organically certified by Icea for over ten years and is devoted to sustainable practices. In addition to growing mountain potatoes, Maranello maize (perfect for polenta flour), soft wheat, apples and various vegetables, he raises donkeys and laying hens. Surrounded by forests and meadows, at an altitude of more than 700 metres, the land is treated with regenerative farming practices, such as crop rotation and green manure.

Antoniazzi also takes care of the meadow areas with mowing, cutting and haymaking (also partly supported by the Psr), thus protecting the environment and landscape, and helping to combat the abandonment of mountain areas.