The Italian partner Rete Semi Rurali ETS presented the COUSIN project on 𝐢𝐧𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐞!, its monthly series of live events designed to raise awareness of RSR, its projects, members, and the organizations it collaborates with in Italy and Europe.

In the first episode of the series dedicated to projects, Riccardo Bocci and Elisa Zaccagni explained the importance of Crop Wild Relatives for the agriculture of the future, as well as the characteristics, objectives, and results achieved so far by the COUSIN project. During the meeting, the project activities currently underway in Italy were also illustrated, which focus mainly on CWRs of peas, brassicas, and wheat, and reflection was given to the strategies that can be implemented to preserve and use the great genetic resource represented by Crop Wild Relatives, which are fundamental for crop improvement and the sustainability of agricultural systems.

The meeting was an important opportunity to present the project to both professionals and citizens, raising awareness of the importance of wild relatives of crops and highlighting their fundamental role in protecting biodiversity and improving the resilience of agricultural systems.

The episode, which aired live on Thursday, December 18, is now available on Rete Semi Rurali’s YouTube channel with English subtitles.