Southern Italy, particularly the regions of Puglia and Sicily, is grappling with a mounting agricultural crisis. Recurring droughts, rising temperatures, and diseases such as xylella fastidiosa have ravaged traditional crops like olives, grapes, and citrus fruits.

The situation has reached such extremes that cities like Agrigento — which is this year’s Italian Capital of Culture —  have faced water shortages severe enough to deter tourism. To face this challenge, an unconventional yet promising solution has emerged: the cultivation of opuntia ficus-indica, commonly known as the prickly pear.