Cereals and Tubers Cluster - Old and New Crops

Although cereals and tubers are the most popular and common crops around the world, few are aware of the long production chain that is involved. This is the challenge behind the concept of this pavilion which greets visitors and accompanies them through an ensemble of colors, textures, and scents that takes them back to their cultivation. A journey that, like a river, runs through the pavilions of the different countries, finally flowing out into a great canopied space that hosts events and offers refreshments.

Cluster card
EXHIBITION CONTENT: Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
SCIENTIFIC RESPONSIBLE: Francesco Bonomi, Claudio Gandolfi, Gian Vincenzo
Zuccotti
PROJECT COORDINATOR: Ambrogina Pagani, Guido Sali
CONCEPT AND EXHIBITION LAYOUT: Franco Tagliabue, Alessandro Rocca,
Maria Feller, Marta Geroldi
TOTAL AREA: 3.820 sqm
EXHIBITION AREA: 1.125 sqm
COMMON AREA: 2.455 sqm
EVENTS AREA: 290 sq m

The Cluster Structure
Visitors can move in the space between the pavilions, allowing themselves to be gently drawn along by the different examples of land cultivation. The canopy of the architectural project has the shape and form of a large fireplace that hosts an area for events and the distribution of themed culinary dishes.

At the end of their visit to this exhibition area, visitors can participate in a number of suggested activities or just sit and relax, enjoying the typical dishes of the countries exhibiting in this cluster.

The seeds of civilization
Cultivated, exported and sold for millions of years, cereals and tubers have played a key role in bringing civilization and food to huge numbers of people around the world. Cereals are the staple diet of the majority of the world’s population, thanks totheir nutritional properties, low cost and ability to satisfy hunger immediately.
 
Despite there being over 10,000 varieties of cereals and tubers, only a few have continued to be cultivated for over 2,000 years. Many of the plantations could be helpful in addressing important global challenges such as sustainable growth and the fertility of marginal lands not suitable for cultivating maize, rice and wheat. As a result, they could help satisfy the ever-growing demand for food over the coming decades. Roots and tubers are now the second most important source of carbohydrates after cereals, containing many minerals and vitamins, and are a basic food for over a million people in emerging countries.
 
COUNTRIES OF THE CLUSTER
Bolivia 
Congo 
Haiti 
Mozambique 
Togo 
Zimbabwe