The Simenza Association – Cumpagnìa Siciliana Sementi Contadine – was founded in 2016 in Raddusa (Catania), in the Catania plain, an area historically devoted to cereal cultivation. Established by Giuseppe Li Rosi together with farmers, livestock breeders, processors, and researchers, the association aims to protect and promote Sicilian agrobiodiversity, with particular attention to traditional grains, considered a cultural, environmental, and economic heritage.

Simenza promotes an agroecological model based on the participatory management of farmers’ seeds, conceived as common goods and living organisms capable of adapting to local conditions. Production activities rely on the cultivation of local varieties of durum and soft wheat, selected for their resilience to volcanic soils and drought. The practices adopted include diversified crop rotations, organic fertilization, minimum soil tillage, and reduced use of chemical inputs, with the aim of preserving soil fertility and biodiversity.

The autonomous reproduction of seeds strengthens food sovereignty and reduces dependence on the commercial seed market. The harvested products are processed into flour, bread, and pasta through short supply chains, ensuring traceability, quality, and fair remuneration.

At the same time, the association promotes technical training, participatory events, and collaborative research with universities and scientific institutions. The exchange of seeds and knowledge among farmers helps to consolidate a dynamic territorial network. Simenza thus represents a virtuous model capable of integrating tradition and innovation, generating environmental, social, and economic value while strengthening the resilience of rural Sicilian communities.