Italy's Food Valley tests climate-resistant wheat for pasta's future

In the heart of Emilia-Romagna, Italy's celebrated 'Food Valley', researchers are working to safeguard the future of pasta by focusing on its essential ingredient: wheat. As climate change intensifies across the Mediterranean, the durum wheat that forms the backbone of Italy's iconic dish faces growing threats from drought and extreme heat, according to a report by France 24.

The initiative comes as Italy endures its fourth heatwave of the summer, with all 27 major cities placed under the highest heat alert and temperatures edging close to 40C in some areas, as reported by the Guardian. The scorching conditions are a stark reminder of the challenges now facing the country's agricultural heartlands.

For the Campania region, the stakes are deeply felt. While the testing takes place in the north, the implications reach directly to the southern fields where durum wheat is a traditional crop and where the San Marzano tomato and mozzarella di bufala already define a food culture under pressure from a changing climate.