Filippo Carrara is only 29 years old, yet has very clear ideas: To become a point of reference in open-field basil cultivation at the national level. And, while last year he grew 50 hectares, this year he has risen to 60: "It is quite an increase, as the whole cultivation management process must be considered, especially irrigation and harvesting. But we opted for this increase precisely because we are able to sustain it."
© Filippo Carrara
Basil harvesting in the 2025 campaign started about 10 days earlier than in 2024. "Operations started on 8th June and, if the weather gives us a hand, they will continue until the end of September. The goal is to make five cuts. From an economic point of view, we sign pre-contracts with the industry in the winter period. The price is around €550/tonne of leaves."
In order to guarantee quality, Carrara only harvests under special conditions. And he has designed a harvesting machine that preserves the quality and integrity of the leaves. "The best time is at dawn and at dusk, because it is possible to preserve the maximum aroma and colour. Then it is also important to be quick, as the product must go from the fields to the food company within a few hours."
Carrara employs a double rotation method: He alternates basil with wheat in the first five years, and then grows alfalfa in the next four. This means a plot hosts basil five times in 10 years. Last year, he received the Agrimanager award organised by Agri2000.net and Emilbanca for his achievements and merits.
"I took over the company when I was 21 years old," concludes the young entrepreneur, "changing the main direction from the processing of tomatoes to basil. It was not an easy choice at the time, but today I can say that it was strategic and successful."
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