Il ritorno del cece rosso pugliese: tradizione, ricerca e benessere

Final Scientific Conference of the Pro.Bi.Ce. Project

OSTUNI (BR) – On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, the final scientific conference of the Pro.Bi.Ce. project, titled “The Return of the Apulian Red Chickpea: Tradition, Research, and Wellness,” will be held at the conference hall of Valle Fiorita (Via delle Comunicazioni 24, Ostuni).

The meeting is dedicated to presenting an extensive research project aimed at enhancing the value of the native Apulian red chickpea, a nearly extinct legume that embodies sustainable and innovative agriculture.

The conference is an opportunity for dialogue between the academic world, the agri-food industry, and agricultural enterprises, where the results of research activities conducted as part of the project will be presented. The project, co-financed by European funds, has focused on aspects related to biodiversity, nutritional quality, and the supply chain potential of the red chickpea.

The Project
Companies Reagri from Massafra and Valle Fiorita from Ostuni have allied with the goal of recovering, reintroducing, and enhancing a native variety of smooth-seeded Apulian red chickpea, long abandoned due to its poor adaptability to mechanization and related agronomic issues. These chickpeas were chosen for their nutraceutical and anti-inflammatory potential.

The main action lines of the project that will be presented on November 19 include: agronomic trials to determine the best cultivation methods; optimization of the processing to obtain high-quality chickpea flours; experimentation with new functional baked products; dissemination of results and promotion of a sustainable agricultural model.

The initiative aims to breathe new life into an ancient legume representing identity, biodiversity, and nutritional wellness, while supporting the local Apulian agri-food supply chain.

Expected Outcomes
In practical terms, Pro.Bi.Ce. represents a significant opportunity for the advancement of knowledge and techniques in the agronomic sector, the transformation of the legume into flour, and the subsequent production of innovative baked products.

The expected outcomes include: the enhancement of the native variety and protection of biodiversity; soil enrichment and improvement of cultivation in marginal lands; nutritional and health benefits in baking; mutual advancement of skills between research and industry; reduction of agriculture's environmental impact; exploration of new employment opportunities and local development.

Scheduled Speakers
- Prof. Alessandra Castegna – University of Bari “Aldo Moro”
- Dr. Luana Nionelli – Valle Fiorita
- Dr. Daniela Losacco – ReAgri
- Dr. Stefano Convertini – ReAgri
- Dr. Simona Carbone – University of Bari “Aldo Moro”

Event Information
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Conference hall Valle Fiorita, Via delle Comunicazioni 24, Ostuni (BR)

The event is promoted by Valle Fiorita and ReAgri, with the support of the Ministry of University and Research within the National Recovery and Resilience Plan – Italia Domani, and funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU.