"BIODIVERSITHON 2021", A MARATHON TO CELEBRATE AGRICULTURAL (AND MICROBIAL ...) BIODIVERSITY

What is agricultural biodiversity ? In a nutshell, it could be said that biodiversity of agricultural and food interest is an immense heritage, both in economic and historical-cultural terms, which needs to be safeguarded and promoted, but first of all known. For this reason, the Region and Veneto Agriculture , on the occasion of the National Day of Biodiversity , organize on the morning of 20 May next ( 8: 00-14: 00 ) " Biodiversithon 2021 ", a non-stop Social marathon that aims to raise awareness to the general public the different specificities of agricultural biodiversity : from animal to plant and microbial biodiversity, not forgetting the important role played by the Institutions, starting from the activity of the Region itself, of the Regional University Agency, of Agricultural Institutes and other Bodies.

"Biodiversithon 2021" will be a unique event of its kind: throughout the morning on the Facebook profile of Veneto Agriculture there is a dense succession of live links, interviews with experts, focuses, presentation of very interesting videos, interventions by farmers and breeders keepers , etc. dedicated to the themes of agricultural and food biodiversity in Veneto.

At the stroke of every hour, starting precisely at 8:00, a different topic will be explored: the start will be given by " Buongiorno Biodiversity" , an introductory space to present the Italian and regional situation in terms of conservation support, the use and sustainable development of genetic resources in agriculture.

Following ( 9:00 am ) the point on the role of the Institutions in relation to agricultural and food biodiversity , starting from the National Law which since 2015 governs the sector through precise provisions for protection, conservation and enhancement; representatives of the institutional, scientific, academic and political world will intervene in this space.

At 10:00 the spotlight will turn on plant biodiversity , or on ancient varieties of fruit, vines, vegetables, cereals, etc .; live and deferred links are foreseen with the research centers of Veneto Agriculture and various regional agricultural institutes.

At 11:00 bodywork forward of the animal biodiversity with focus on livestock species in danger of extinction: bovine, swine, sheep and goats, horses; the occasion will also talk about silkworm and mulberry growing, as well as bees and their habitats increasingly at risk due to pollution and climate change.

At 12:00 , very topical, microbial biodiversity enters the scene also through the activity of the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of the Venezie (of Legnaro, PD) and the importance of epidemiological surveillance for conservation centers and for guardian breeders.

Finally, at 13:00 , at the Agriturismo La Cascina in Mestre (Ve), the final space of "Biodiversithon 2021" will start with a focus on the Food Communities and - more concretely - on the enhancement of biodiversity at the table . On the occasion, some dishes and raw materials will be presented such as the Venetian Anitra germanata, the Polverara Chicken, the Alpagota Sheep, the Scardovari Mussel, the Baone Peas, the Guà Potato, the Montine Asparagus, the Cherries of some areas of the Veneto region, the Violet Artichoke of Sant'Erasmo, the Nano Vialone Veronese PGI rice, the Morlacco cheese, as well as seven wines produced from as many native vines of seven producers (one for each province of Veneto): Pavana, Dindarella, Pinella , Turchetta, Dorona, Gruaja and Boschera. The presentation and tasting of the wines will be curated by Gianpaolo Breda of AIS Veneto.