Measures for responsible fruit growing

Integrated and organic farming in accordance with defined guidelines is an integral part of our work.

Most of us are familiar with the concept of an ecosystem. For Val Venosta’s farmers, however, it means much more. They are aware that they are part of this delicate balance and of the importance of helping to preserve it. The orchards serve both production and habitat functions. They provide spaces for beneficial organisms, contribute to biodiversity and involve the careful use of resources such as our valuable water.

Ecosystem apple orchard

And so the circle is complete

Ecosystem apple orchard

Every apple orchard in Val Venosta is an ecosystem in its own right, where different elements interact with one another. Balance plays a fundamental role. The presence of sufficient beneficial organisms, pest control, the promotion of biodiversity and the protection of habitats help create the conditions for implementing integrated and organic growing methods. In Val Venosta, farmers are aware of the importance of this balance and take measures to help preserve it.

We promote biodiversity

How can we not only protect the ecosystem, but also contribute to its biodiversity? Over the years, Val Venosta’s farmers have adopted a range of measures: they build dry-stone walls and insect hotels, provide nesting opportunities and create flowering strips, offering spaces for animals and plants to find shelter and habitat within their orchards. These measures encourage the presence of beneficial organisms, which can help control certain pests. We also work closely with Val Venosta’s beekeepers to implement bee protection projects. Together, for example, we have already created several areas with bee-friendly plants in Val Venosta and promote bee-friendly growing practices.

No rain in sight

Where the water in Val Venosta comes from

No rain in sight

At first glance, Val Venosta in the west of South Tyrol is anything but "apple-friendly". High mountain massifs keep rain clouds away and make Val Venosta the driest valley in the Alps with only 500 ml of precipitation per m2 per year. In addition, the Val Venosta wind often blows, which sweeps even the last bit of moisture out of the valley.
Despite the adverse conditions, the farmers of Val Venosta have found a way to let nature sprout in their orchards. They use the melt water from the surrounding mountains, which is stored in the Adige River, in the so-called "Waalen" (irrigation channels), in tunnels, reservoirs and deep wells.

Water-saving irrigation methods

Melt water is valuable, especially as around 1,500 farmers in Val Venosta depend on it. This is why it is handled with particular care. Not only a well thought-out irrigation system helps here, but also a particularly resource-saving method: With drip irrigation, only the root area is irrigated via a pipe close to the trunk, and this is done drop by drop. This results in water savings of up to 50%. Soon only drip irrigation will be used in Val Venosta.

And it continues like this

Measures addressing environmental, social and resource-related aspects in our daily work

After harvest, attention to environmental aspects continues throughout the subsequent stages. The apples are packed in accordance with the respective packaging and material strategies and processed using electricity from renewable energy sources. Measures that take environmental aspects and resource use into account are also implemented in the day-to-day work at VIP’s offices.

How we work