Global warming: Sicilian breeders adapt to the climate that has become semi-tropical on the island

Papayas, mangoes and bananas, this is the new face of agricultural Sicily. Rosolino Palazzolo does not regret his shift towards the cultivation of exotic fruits. Because of global warming, no more oranges and lemons, which are struggling to grow, and make way for fruits still described as exotic, but for how long? Because more than 350 tons of these fruits will be produced this year in Sicily. A sector with a future, because it reduces transport times to Mediterranean countries.

A crop that thrives perfectly on the heat that exceeded 35°C this year in Sicily and the torrential rains that hit, mainly in the evening, due to condensation. “This type of torrential rain, it was observed before only in Central America”, emphasizes Rosolino Palazzolo. The operating surfaces have meanwhile been reduced by 30% on the island. “There is hardly any more fruit”laments a producer. “If it continues like this, we will lose everything”. The adaptation of crops will therefore be key in a land hard hit by global warming.