TRADITOM supports local Spanish tomato variety “Muchamiel” on the way to getting a Quality Mark

Presentation by TRADITOM partners at the Muchamiel tomato fair
Workshop at the Muchamiel tomato fair

As reported earlier, the first Muchamiel Tomato Fair took place from October 27-28, 2017. As part of the fair, TRADITOM associated partners Juan Jose Ruiz and Santiago García-Martinez (UMH) organised a workshop with the participation of local farmers, students and scientists from the institutions UPV, UMH and CSIC.

The workshop was particularly targeted at professionals in the sector to address the challenges and benefits of their work. It featured presentations about the Muchamiel typology in the context of the European Traditional tomato varieties in TRADITOM (by project coordinator Antonio Granell/ CSIC) and about the improvement of traditional varieties by introgression of disease resistant genes (by project partners Salvador Soler and Santiago Garcia/ UPV). Further discussions among participants considered the possibilities of introducing eco-/ bio culture practices.

Of special interest was the presentation and follow-up discussion to obtain a Quality Mark for the Muchamiel tomato - an initiative led by the municipality and an emerging association of local farmers and producers. TRADITOM members from CISC and UMH will work in close collaboration with the Muchamiel municipality (Regidoría d’Agricultura) in the elaboration of the scientific/ technical description that will be used to obtain the quality mark at the Valencian community level. Based on this experience, the possibility to extend this mark to a certificate for PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) or PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) will be evaluated. PDO and PGI are EU quality marks that attest traditions and qualities of agricultural products with a specific link to their regional origin. If agreed to go for it, TRADITOM partners will also collaborate with the local farmers to obtain the quality mark for the Muchamiel variety.