The LO-MAIS project was created with the goal of recovering and adding value to local Lombardy maize varieties, strengthening their competitiveness by building a sustainable supply chain that integrates scientific research, agricultural production, and agri-food processing. The initiative aims to place these traditional genetic resources back at the center of the production system, developing agronomic and qualitative characterization activities, performance analysis across different cultivation environments, and assessing their productive and commercial potential. In parallel, it intends to encourage the introduction of innovative practices that improve crop efficiency and add value to local productions.
The core of the project is the development of new utilization opportunities for traditional maize, both in the food sector and in industrial processing, aiming to create high-value-added products that are distinct from standard commodities. The process involves local stakeholders along the entire supply chain, fostering collaboration between research, farms, and the processing sector to build an integrated and functional system for local production.
Overall, the project aims to support the conservation and revival of traditional Lombardy maize, promoting an innovative model of rural development that unites research, agriculture, and the agri-food chain, with positive impacts on sustainability, competitiveness, and the preservation of local genetic resources.