Bio Natura
Bio Natura is an organic cooperative based in the southern region of Sicily.
“The Earth offers what she is given” Rosario Lauria (Saro), the founder and president of Bionatura Soc. Coop. tells us. Saro has more than 30 years of experience in the agricultural field and his respect for the Earth, which he got from his father, has been handed down to his children children Elisa, Giovanna and Vittorio.
Bio Natura Soc. Coop. started in July 2007, when ten producers came together. All ten already had vast experience developed over years in the production and marketing of organic products and so the journey of Bio Natura began.
The farm is nestled in the Chiaramonte countryside, between the green plain of Acate, Mazzarrone and Comiso, in the southern region on Sicily, at an altitude of over 600 meters. Thanks to the excellent climatic conditions and fertile soil, the farm is able to provide high quality products. Bionatura covers about 130 acres,
“From the genuine respect of the Earth begins the success of a farming company”
The cultivation takes advantage of open fields (10%), cold greenhouses (50%) and vineyards grown under the protection of plastic tents (40%) with a varied production offering a wide range of vegetables and fruits that meet the demands of the national and international market.
In the tunnels and greenhouses all the plastic used to suppress weed growth is fully compostable so at the end of a growing season it has broken down fully into the soil. Companion planting is used with wheat planted in rows amongst the courgette plants to provide a home for all the beneficial insects that Saro uses to his own advantage in controlling the insect pests that farmers don’t want.
In his latest venture Saro has planted 1 hectare of avocados, Hass variety, which will now have to be nurtured with much love and attention before the first commercial crop can be harvested in 4 years time (2023) .
