Italy: 90 Tons of Basil Plants Produced Using Hydroponic Techniques

Il Bettolino is a cooperative producing basil and aromatic herbs employing the Floating System. It sells its produce directly to retailers and owns 10,000 sq m of state-of-the-art greenhouses managed professionally. In 2017, it produced 90 thousand tons of produce.

"We're a cooperative that has decided to focus on high-quality and technology. We are one of the few, if not the only ones, to produce basil in Emilia-Romagna in such a large area. We have both the traditional and organic ranges but, at the moment, organic basil is only sent as potted plants. In 2017, we produced 450,000 pots. Coop Italia recognised the Vivi Verde Bio certification to our basil," explained president Francesca Benelli.

"The cooperative currently employs 27 disadvantaged members as well as 40 people part of a social inclusion programme. Cultivation represents 80% of the turnover generated by all activities. A couple of years ago, we became part of Agribologna."

"We grow excellent-quality produce with state-of-the-art techniques and pay great attention to the environment thanks to cogeneration and integrated control. The energy for the led lighting and heating for the greenhouse are supplied by the public body at a lower price. Our company also holds the ISO 1401 certification for basil cultivation in pots and water tanks and for its packaging."

Basil sowing is carried out automatically on the top part of the plateau so as to also add sterile material. At the end of each cycle, plateaus are sterilised and reused in compliance with out quality and environmental management and Haccp systems.

In addition to selling plants and packaging them in trays, basil is also processed to make pesto and packaged in pots. Around 70% of the production is destined to be sold in ports but, a few years ago, the business has started collaborating with a company from Liguria to make pesto under the "Amici in Campo" brand. 

Archive photo

Greenhouses are heated thanks to bio-gas produced by the decomposing of waste from municipal plants. This reduces the consumption of fuel and helps lower environmental impact.

Contacts
Cooperativa sociale il Bettolino sc
Via S. Veneria 90/A
42046 Reggiolo (RE)
Tel.: (+39) 0522 650000
Email: presidenza@ilbettolino.it
Web: www.ilbettolino.it
 

Publication date: 6/4/2018