Stefano Bisoffi

A review of the key success factors of smallholder poplar cultivation in Italy, from technical innovation of the research and industry to supportive legislation and public policies.

Education

MsSc with honours in Forestry (Dottore in Scienze Forestali), University of Padua, 1978.

Work

Research Scientist (1980-1985) and Head (1985-2004) of Genetics Unit, Poplar Research Institute, Casale Monferrato, Italy.

Director, Poplar Research Institute, Casale Monferrato, Italy (1995–2004).

Director, CREA (Council for Agricultural Research and Economics), Central Directorate for Scientific and Technical Activities (2004–2007, 2013-2017).

Retired, 1 January 2018 (active as self-employed consultant, since); contracts with BMEL (Germany), AIT (Austria), European Commission (Belgium), RBS (Italy), CREA (Italy).

Other professional information

Chair, Permanent Executive Committee, International Poplar Commission (IPC), Statutory Body of FAO (2000-2012); Member (co-opted) of the Executive Committee (2012-2021); Chair, IPC Working Party “Genetics, Conservation, Improvement” (1990-2000).

National Representative in the Programme Committee for Societal Challenge 2 “Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, Marine, Maritime and Inland Water Research and the Bioeconomy” (EC Framework Research Programme Horizon 2020) (2013-2020).

Italian Representative at the G20 MACS (Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists) in 2014 (Australia), 2015 (Turkey) and 2016 (P.R.China);

Coordinator of the EC-funded Project "Inter-disciplinary Research for Poplar Improvement" with 18 Partners from 7 European countries (Contract No. AIR1-CT92-0349).

Awards

“Friendship Award”, People’s Republic of China, SAFEA, in 2007, for his contribution to the development of poplar culture in China.

Hobbies

Rose & peony breeding, orienteering and cross-country ski