The partnership signed last August between Nova Siri Genetics (NSG) and the two Indian companies Mahaberry Private Limited and 8 Berries Farm & Nursery Private is growing stronger and stronger, so much so that a local delegation consisting of Sunil Bhilare and Srinivasan Pillai - respectively operations director and general manager of both companies - was welcomed to Southern Italy.
Indian delegation and Carmela Suriano, NSG Director
The Indian guests visited the NSG Research and Experimentation Centre located in Policoro, Basilicata, and then traveled to the NSG strawberry crops in Caserta and Battipaglia, Campania.
Indian and Italian delegation in a strawberry field, Basilicata
"Our Melissa and NSG 203-Marimbella® cultivars are already well established in the strawberry-growing areas of the Asian country, where cultivation takes place in the open fields. Both are well adapted to the Indian soil and climate conditions, and Melissa has established itself in the premium segment of the market," explained Nicola Tufaro, breeder of Nova Siri Genetics.
The purpose of the visit was to strengthen the collaboration but, above all, to provide technical and training support. A real professional confrontation to touch the most innovative and appropriate techniques used in modern European strawberry cultivation. "We accompanied the Indian delegation to the places where the NSG cultivars originated, many of them already known in the Mediterranean basin. It was a tour among experimental fields and strawberry plants in southern Italy."
Mahaberry packaging dedicated to Melissa strawberries
In addition to the production of the above-mentioned varieties and future new selections, the agreement between NSG and the Indian partners also includes the setting up of nurseries in the Asian country. The production in India of 3 million nursery plants of NSG strawberry varieties is already planned for next year.
NSG delegation and Sunil Bhilare
Nova Siri Genetics does not only focus on the Italian market or the Mediterranean basin, as there is a growing interest in genetic improvement from South America, South Africa, and Australia.
For more information:
Nova Siri Genetics Srl
Via San Maurizio, 46
75025 Policoro (MT)
info@novasirigenetics.com
www.novasirigenetics.com