Daily Archives: July 26, 2016

In the framework of its programme of activities for the first semester of 2016, at a project mid-term evaluation meeting with the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), the project implementing agency (Tunisian Olive Tree Institute) and the collaborating centres (the National Institute of Agricultural Research of Morocco (INRA), the Technical Institute for Fruit Tree and Vine Growing of Algeria (ITAF), the Horticulture Research Institute of Egypt and the National Office for Olive Oil of Tunisia), the IOC assessed the state of progress of its project to create pilot nurseries.

The main project objectives
1. Give farmers greater access to native olive genotypes adapted to specific environmental conditions.
2. Make farmers aware that healthy, authentic and high yielding plant material contributes to the sustainable development of the olive industry in the Mediterranean region.
3. Increase the yield potential of olive orchards by providing top-quality plants and widening the range of choice of plant material.
4. Increase the olive growing income of rural households.

Expected outputs
1. Establishment of four modern nurseries, one in each participant country, to serve as centres of excellence.
2. Production of 25,000 olive plants/year/collaborating centre for at least 340 farmers/year.
3. Supply of top-quality plants compliant with phytosanitary rules and of a broader choice of varieties.
4. Provide technical assistance and training for nurseries, farmers and outreach officers.