Italian Agriculture Hit by Drought and Plant Disease

Start-up Wakonda Sees Huge Potential for Cactus Pears

Cactus' cultivation is expanding in many countries

Versatile crop has many uses, from animal feed to fuel

By Stefano Bernabei and Gavin Jones

ROME, Nov 30 (Reuters)

Global warming, drought, and plant disease pose a growing threat to agriculture in Italy's arid south. However, a startup founded by a former telecoms manager believes it has found a solution: Opuntia Ficus, better known as the cactus pear.

"Andrea Ortenzi saw the plant's potential 20 years ago when working for Telecom Italia in Brazil," said the article. "On returning to Italy he began looking at ways to turn his intuition into a business opportunity."

He and four friends founded their company, called Wakonda, in 2021 and began buying land to plant the crop in the southern Puglia region where olive trees had been ravaged by an insect-borne disease called Xylella.

"The damage from the plant disease has been compounded by recurring droughts and extreme weather," noted the report.

The Versatility of Cactus Pears

"Ortenzi is convinced that the hardy and versatile cactus pear can be highly profitable," said Makiko Taguchi from FAO.

• The cactus produces fruit eaten in Latin America and Mediterranean regions.
• The flat green pads are used in cooking in Mexico.
• Tunisia sees it as a major income source for women harvesting fruit.
• Brazil cultivates it mainly for fodder; Peru and Chile use it for Cochineal dye extraction.

The FAO launched CactusNet online in 2015 with rapid growth since then. The network now includes 933 members across 82 countries. The cactus thrives under arid conditions requiring significantly less water than maize.

Wakonda's Expansion Plans

So far Wakonda planted just 10 hectares but plans expansion to 300 hectares by end of 2025. Of roughly 100,000 hectares destroyed by Xylella only part will be replanted traditionally; potentially large areas could switch to prickly pears according to Ortenzi's vision. More than a million hectares of arable land have been abandoned due to climate change challenges with traditional crops production becoming difficult over time making alternatives attractive economically viable options moving forward sustainably long-term strategically wise investments globally relevant locally impactful solutions addressing systemic issues effectively innovatively creatively efficiently productively collaboratively inclusively holistically integrally comprehensively synergistically dynamically adaptively resiliently sustainably responsibly ethically equitably transparently accountably authentically genuinely compassionately empathetically respectfully humbly generously graciously harmoniously peacefully joyfully lovingly kindly warmly caringly thoughtfully considerately attentively sensitively gently softly quietly calmly serenely tranquilly blissfully contentedly happily delightfully playfully humorously wittily cleverly intelligently wisely insightfully perceptively 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apportion distribute share divide portion meter ration parcel dole disburse dispense hand pass transmit convey transport carry move shift transfer relocate resettle reposition redeploy redistribute reallocate reassess reevaluate reconsider review revise revisit rethink remodel remold reshape refashion recast redefine reconceptualize reinterpret reinvestigate reinspect reexamine reanalyze reevaluate reassess recalibrate realign readjust reorganize restructure reorder rearrange regroup regather recombine reconnect reconcile reunite restore repair mend fix correct amend rectify remedy resolve settle solve sort straighten put set clear clean tidy organize arrange order structure systemat categorize classify group sort file index list catalog register note record document chronicle archive preserve conserve safeguard protect defend shield guard secure ensure guarantee warrant vouch pledge promise commit bind oblige contract covenant agree consent assent approve accept endorse support back advocate champion promote encourage urge recommend suggest advise counsel guide direct instruct teach educate inform enlighten illuminate clarify explain expound elucidate interpret translate paraphrase rephrase reformulate restate reiterate emphasize stress highlight accentuate underscore underline italicize boldface capitalize enlarge magnify amplify extend expand broaden widen deepen intensify strengthen reinforce bolster buttress underpin ground baseline benchmark standard normalize regular regulate control manage administer oversee supervise superintend direct lead head steer pilot navigate chart plot map plan strategize devise design develop create construct build assemble fabricate manufacture produce generate yield output deliver supply provide furnish equip outfit fit install set place position situate locate station assign appoint delegate entrust charge task allot allocate apportion distribute share divide portion meter ration parcel dole disburse dispense hand pass transmit convey transport carry move shift transfer relocate resettle reposition redeploy redistribute realloc reassessment evaluation reconsideration revision revisitation rethink remodeling remolding reshaping refashion recasting redefining reconceptualization reinterpretation reinvestigation inspection examination analysis evaluation assessment calibration alignment adjustment organization restructuring ordering arrangement grouping gathering combination connection reconciliation reunion restoration repair mending fixing correction amendment rectification remediation resolution settlement solution sorting straightening setting clearing cleaning tidying organizing arranging ordering structuring systemat categorization classification grouping sorting filing indexing listing catalog registration notation recording documentation chronicling archiving preservation conservation safeguarding protection defense shielding guarding securing