Città di Castello (Italy) (AFP) – Delving into centuries-old diaries and farming documents, Isabella Dalla Ragione looks for forgotten fruit varieties before hunting them down in the real world by scouring Italy’s abandoned gardens and orchards. The fruit detective’s goal is to preserve the country’s agricultural heritage, saving varieties which could help farmers withstand an increasingly unpredictable and changing climate. “Maintaining a wide diversity means being able to find solutions,” says the 68-year-old, who has recovered around 150 varieties from several Italian regions.
