Every autumn, the small municipality of Marano Vicentino celebrates one of the most representative agricultural excellences of the area: Mais Marano. The traditional Festa del Mais Marano is a highly anticipated event that combines rural culture, gastronomy, and reflection on the future of agriculture.
In 2025 the event reached its 29ᵗʰ edition, confirming itself as one of the most important events dedicated to traditional agricultural varieties in the Veneto region. The main festival usually takes place at the beginning of October, while in spring (May) the Festa della Semina (Sowing Festival) is also celebrated.
Mais Marano: a historic local variety
The absolute protagonist of the festival is Mais Marano, an ancient maize variety that originated in Marano Vicentino at the end of the 19ᵗʰ century. It is characterized by:
- intense orange color
- small and compact kernels
- rich aroma and strong flavor
These characteristics make it particularly appreciated for preparing traditional polenta, one of the symbols of Venetian cuisine. During the festival, maize is not just an agricultural product but becomes a true story of identity, history, and biodiversity.
Smarties.bio’s contribution: climate, agriculture, and the future
As part of the 29ᵗʰ Festa del Mais Marano, held from October 10–12, 2025, an important scientific discussion also took place.
On October 7ᵗʰ, at the auditorium of Marano Vicentino, the conference “Climate, Agriculture and Future” was held.
The meeting was organized within the framework of the 51ˢᵗ edition of the Mostra Alto Vicentino (MAV), promoted by the Consorzio Tutela Mais Marano and sponsored by the municipality.
Among the speakers:
- meteorologist Marco Rabito
- agronomists and geneticists Andrea Ghedina and Luca Bertaggia
During the meeting, key topics for the future of agriculture were discussed, including agricultural meteorology and plant breeding.
Agriculture and climate change
Climate change is profoundly redefining the dynamics of the agricultural sector. Extreme weather events, prolonged droughts, and increasingly variable temperatures are forcing a rapid transformation of production systems.
In this context, the future of agriculture increasingly depends on the integration of:
- advanced agrometeorology, to improve forecasting and management of climatic phenomena
- plant breeding, to develop varieties more resistant to abiotic stress
Among the main stresses crops must face:
- drought
- extreme temperatures
- soil salinity
The goal is to create more resilient agricultural systems, capable of preserving biodiversity and ensuring productivity even under increasingly unpredictable climatic conditions.
Tradition and innovation: a challenge for the future
The participation of Smarties.bio in the Festa del Mais Marano perfectly represents the meeting point between agricultural tradition and scientific innovation. On one hand, protecting historic varieties such as Mais Marano preserves a unique genetic and cultural heritage. On the other hand, scientific research and agrometeorology provide essential tools to face the climate challenges of the coming decades.
Events like this demonstrate how territory, science, and agriculture can collaborate to build a sustainable future.