Operational Group: Argan cultivation as an alternative to olive groves in Andalusia
- Type Operational group
- Execution 2017
- Assigned Budget 5.000,00 €
- Scope Autonómico
- Autonomous community Andalucía
- Main source of financing PEPAC 2014-2020
- Project website https://www.agrointec.com/go-argan/
Although the argan tree is considered endemic to southwestern Morocco, research carried out by the Andalusian Plant Germplasm Bank, which will soon be published, has allowed us to learn that argan cultivation was developed in the Iberian Peninsula in the 12th century.
Furthermore, as a result of this same research, wild specimens of the species have been found in various areas in southeastern Spain.
Currently, in Spain, argan oil can only be used as an ingredient in cosmetics, but in other cultures and regions, especially among the Berber populations of the Maghreb, its fruits are used intensively, forming the basis of numerous culinary creations with great nutritional value.
The main objective of the project is to develop a commercial argan clone in Andalusia, taking into account the commercial characteristics required as an alternative to olive cultivation.
The specific objectives of the Operational Group are to develop a manual for the reintroduction and comprehensive management of argan cultivation, to offer an alternative to the monoculture of olive groves currently practiced in many areas of Andalusia, and to create the first collection of this species on the Iberian Peninsula, for its subsequent conversion into the Spanish argan germplasm bank.
- Coordinating entity/name: Society of Independent Plant Breeders SL
- Coordinator/entity email: francisco.bermudez@agrointec.com
- Sociedad de fitomejoradores independientes S.L
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