In this episode of Global Trends, we continue our exploration of Climate Change (in relation to agriculture) with Francesco Carvazza. A renowned researcher at the Italian research center Acqua Campus, part of the Canale Emiliano Romagnolo, Carvazza brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table.
We delve into the heart of Italian agriculture, exploring the crucial role of the Canale Emiliano Romagnolo in supplying water to key provinces. Carvazza shares insights into the innovative work of Acqua Campus, from their cutting-edge irrigation research to their hands-on demonstration center.
We also discuss a groundbreaking study on the vulnerability of agriculture to climate change, focusing on the impact of rainfall patterns and the challenges of summer droughts and soil leaching. Carvazza explains the environmental and economic implications of nutrient loss, from the eutrophication of our seas to the financial burden on farmers. But it's not all doom and gloom! Carvazza also shares practical solutions for farmers, from better weather forecasting to alternative nutrient sources and advanced irrigation techniques.
While the study is based in northern Italy, its findings are applicable across European irrigated agriculture, making this episode a must-watch for anyone interested in sustainable farming and climate change adaptation.
Get further insight into climate change and the agricultural sector here.
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John Reilly -
Francesco Cavazza -
Tom O’Dwyer -
Lisa Bellocchi
- The Acqua Campus-managed canal distributes water to about 300,000 hectares across significant Italian provinces, supporting agriculture, industry, and tourism.
- Acqua Campus runs research, demonstration, and environmental study centers, as well as organizing learning activities for farmers and advisers.
- Dr. Cavazza's research in Emilia Romagna focuses on focused rainfall, which can help farmers utilize their resources more efficiently to battle summer droughts and soil leaching.
In this series
Prior to joining MIT in 1998, John Reilly spent 12 years with the Economic Research Service of USDA. He received his PhD in economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1983 and holds a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin. Much of Dr. Reilly’s 40-year research career has focused on climate change, including agriculture and land use emissions and carbon dioxide sinks, as well as the potential effects of climate change on agriculture.
Francesco Cavazza is an agronomist and agricultural economist at Acquacampus, the research unit of the Canale Emiliano Romagnolo. After obtaining a Master’s degree in Agriculture, he carried out his PhD at the University of Bologna, focusing on the use of Decision Support System for irrigation and water management. Currently, Francesco’s work is entirely dedicated to irrigation and water management, with a focus on the development and estimation of irrigation and climate indicators, economic analysis, and nature-based solutions for water management in agriculture.
Tom O’Dwyer holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from University College Dublin, a Master’s in Business Administration and a PhD in Business Administration from the Waterford Institute of Technology. In his current role, Tom is responsible for the national development, implementation and leadership of the Signpost Programme, the goal of which is to lead and support farmers in climate action. Over his 27-year career with Teagasc, he has held a number of previous roles, including Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer, Regional Manager, Dairy Specialist and REPS Adviser.
Lisa Bellocchi has been a well-known personality on Italian television for 30 years, as she has hosted the news programmes of Emilia Romagna and national programmes such as «Italia Agricoltura» and «Prodotto Italia».
In September 2021, Lisa was elected President of ENAJ, the European Network of Agricultural Journalists, which brings together some 3500 specialized professionals from 27 countries. She is President of the Association of Agricultural, Agri-food and Environmental Journalists of Emilia Romagna -Marche-Umbria.
