Summary

The project aimed to preserve chestnut production in Italy’s Tuscany region, which had suffered from pests, disease, poor weather and the economic crisis. This led to increasing abandonment of land. The supply chain was also fractured and not well organised. New harvesting and forestry equipment was also needed.    

The project used EAFRD funding to coordinate the different actors on the supply chain, restore abandoned chestnut production areas, purchase equipment for harvesting and forestry management.

Results

95 participants joined the project.

125ha of chestnut woods were recovered and their production potential increased.

New forests roads created in four holdings.

18 fences built.

62 pieces of small equipment purchased.

3 big forestry machines purchased.

5 facilities to dry chestnuts restored.

6 new storage rooms built.

9 machines/equipment used for processing, one for harvesting and two for drying purchased.