Making a distinction between the various types of agriculture is not simple, given the numerous methods used, which increase and refine each year.
These significant differences allow us to distinguish different types of agriculture, mainly concerning the extent of the use of chemical products, pesticides, and herbicides during the cultivation process.
The main categories that, more than others, illustrate the production orientation of viticulture are:
CONVENTIONAL AGRICOLTURE
Also known as traditional or intensive agriculture, it relies on systematic chemical intervention, using synthetic methods to combat pests and weeds.
It is a cultivation that aims to increase viticultural production by using chemical products such as pesticides to maximize the exploitation of every usable part of the land, preventing crops from being destroyed by diseases and infestations.
These products are very effective, but unfortunately, they generate pollution that has significant consequences on the environment and the end consumer.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE
It is a practice that involves using chemicals only when the crop is at risk of economic damage that exceeds the cost of the treatment.
The basic principle is to minimize the use of pesticides, making it less harmful to humans and beneficial insects, along with some other precautions. The result obtained will be a final product that is slightly healthier than one from conventional agriculture and has a lower environmental impact. The challenges of this technique are related to production costs, as it requires qualified technical assistance, and the objective difficulty in certifying the product.
(The first Italian region to create a guarantee label using the INTEGRATED AGRICULTURE technique was Tuscany with the label “AGRIQUALITÀ” (established by regional law no. 25 of 1999).
CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARMING
It is the first form of agriculture that focuses on the authentic well-being of the fruit, the plant, the surrounding nature, and consequently, the end consumer.
Certifying authorityAuthorized by MIPAAF bio 009Controlled operator number CS83European Union agriculture.
The principles on which it is based are: soil fertility, preservation of biodiversity, and pest control.
This agriculture exploits the natural fertility of the soil, often supported by natural substances such as:
copper (allowed in viticulture, despite being considered a slight pollutant);
sulfur (but of mine origin, quite different from the one commonly used and found in the market, which has petroleum derivatives);
The main objectives of this type of agriculture are:
- to completely exclude the use of synthetic-chemical products (except for acceptable insect pheromones);
- to entirely exclude genetically modified organisms and any raw materials derived from GMOs.
- to exclusively use ecological products and production and processing processes that are equally ecological;
- to protect ecosystems and the natural fertility of the soil over time;
- to promote plant and animal biodiversity of domestic species and safeguard natural resources;
To obtain organic certification, which attests to the correct operation of the winery, the following requirements are necessary:
The grapes must come from organic agriculture.
The wine must contain certain substances within the limits of the European regulation (Regulation No. 203/2012, dated March 9, 2012 – enological products, procedures, quantities).However, organic agriculture has some issues that must always be taken into consideration, such as: It is challenging to manage on large territorial areas.
It generally yields lower average production (from 20% to 45%), which can only be partially recovered after gaining considerable experience in soil fertilization. As of 2019, 63 countries shared organic wine, but unfortunately, organic wine accounted for only 6.2% of the total production.
CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE
A century ago, discussions about the future of agriculture focused on healing the land, moderating the use of energy sources, and considering the health of humans and animals. However, when talking about Biodynamic Agriculture, we cannot fail to mention its creator, Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner.
Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner (1861-1925) was a supporter of the “need to ask questions and give answers about agriculture, as a source of a new culture”.
The key points of this agriculture are:
- balance between agriculture and terrestrial ecosystem;
- production of food suitable for an ever-evolving planet and humanity: taking care of the earth, and of man.
Agriculture is in perfect harmony with nature, earth, men; then fertilization, cultivation and breeding, in full respect of plant and animal species.
To obtain the certification for Biodynamic Agriculture, which attests to the correct practices of the viticultural company, it is necessary to adhere to the required standards of Certified Organic Agriculture and, in addition:
Reconstitution of humus in the soil where the vine’s root system resides. Use of horn manure (500), which stimulates and harmonizes the humus formation processes. Use of horn silica (501), a spray preparation that enhances the light forces inherent in silica, regulating fruit maturation. Use of other preparations such as: yarrow 502, chamomile 503, stinging nettle 504, oak bark 505, dandelion 506, and valerian 507. Exclusion of methods such as superconcentration, acidification, clarification, etc.
BIODIVERSITY FRIENDS
The certification of ORGANIC DIVERSITY is also extremely interesting.
wba – world biodiversity association onlus – sponsored by Mipaaf (ministry of agricultural, food and forestry policies)
On 04/10/2004, an international scientific committee of naturalists, botanists, zoologists and simple nature enthusiasts from all over the world was appointed at the civic museum of natural history in Verona, committed to the knowledge and conservation of biodiversity, already threatened in every part of the earth. This certification guarantees the protection of biodiversity in agriculture, a fundamental and essential resource for sustainable and quality agriculture, respect for the environment, codes of conduct, social ethics.
The company is subjected to continuous documentary checks to calculate the biodiversity indices of
AIR – WATER – SOIL the principle states that “the more life there is in a territory, the less human intervention has been.
The main objectives are three:
- census of world biodiversity;
- conservation and protection of biodiversity and environmental balances;
- education to knowledge and respect for biodiversity, through training actions.
The results obtained have been satisfactory, with the introduction of wooded areas and hedges, the recovery of ancient crop varieties and animal breeds of traditional agriculture, improvement of the characteristics of the agricultural landscape, obviously in respect of the peasant tradition, of the historical, economic -social and cultural, in addition to obtaining excellent quality products obtained from highly natural territories.
I took the liberty of briefly describing the main macro-families of agricultural techniques, among the dozens of different types that are used in the world. Without wanting to influence anyone as to which is the best, the suggestion that I take the liberty of giving you is to inform you as much as possible about the pros, but above all the cons, regarding the use of chemistry in agriculture.
