Genetic variability of breeds is indispensable to guarantee the diversification of products and the development of production systems. In the poultry sector, productive breeding is exclusively based on commercial hybrids, which were selected through a process that has led to a 90% loss in the allelic heritage of autochtonous breeds. On the other hand, Italian chicken and turkey breeds, excluded from production industry, still possess an important biodiversity heritage. Preventing further contraction of their populations’ numbers is therefore a pressing need. To oppose to this trend, which has been lasting for decades, the BRAvi project, funded in 2025-2026 by the Lombardia regional Complemento per lo sviluppo rurale of the 2023-27 CAP Strategic Plan, aims at performing a rich informative activity to promote Italian poultry breeding across the territory. Reaching small rural productive companies is in fact indispensable to counteract the constant loss in poultry biodiversity.

If you want to learn more about the activities of the BRAvi project, click here.