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SUPRAOLIVO Operational Group: Innovation for the sustainable and adapted development of olive cultivation in Galicia, Castile and León and Andalusia: sustainable olive farming adapted to climate change and rural development.

  • Type Operational group
  • Status In progress
  • Execution 2026 -2029
  • Assigned Budget 581.921,00 €
  • Scope Supraautonómico
  • Autonomous community Andalucía; Castilla y León; Galicia
  • Main source of financing CAP 2023-2027
Abstract
Olive plots and varieties adapted to the soil and climate conditions of each region will be identified and characterized, evaluating their productive performance, phenology, and resistance to acidic soils, cold, drought, and diseases. Soil management systems with cover crops, fertilization strategies, irrigation needs, and the effect of mycorrhization in new plantations will be analyzed. Furthermore, nutritional and water status will be monitored using advanced technologies to anticipate health problems. For farmers, these results will allow them to select the most efficient variety, adjust fertilization and irrigation, reduce costs and risks, and improve yield and quality. Applying these recommendations will increase the profitability and resilience of the farm.

The yield and quality of the olives and the oil will be analyzed according to variety and region, evaluating production, maturity index, and oil yield. In the laboratory, quality will be determined using Abencor extraction and analysis of key parameters such as acidity, fatty acid profile, oxidation, vitamin E, and phenolic compounds. Different blends will also be studied, and a sensory analysis will be conducted by an expert panel. These results will allow us to identify which varieties and blends offer the highest yield and best commercial quality. For farmers and olive mills, applying these findings will mean harvesting at the optimal time, improving extraction, and obtaining oils with greater stability, a better sensory profile, and higher market value, thus increasing profitability and differentiation.

Ancient olive trees will be explored, and samples will be taken for genetic and agronomic analysis and identification. New native varieties and other varieties of interest will be prospected, evaluating their adaptation, productivity, and performance in different areas. Distinct local varieties will be registered, and pilot plots will be established for field monitoring. This work will allow for the recovery of plant material with productive and commercial potential, adapted to each territory. For farmers, planting validated local varieties will mean greater climate adaptation, reduced risks, and market differentiation through oils with a unique identity. Applying these results will facilitate production diversification and access to higher value-added niches.

A comprehensive economic analysis of the plantations will be conducted to assess costs, income, and the actual profitability of the crop. The minimum size required for a farm to be viable and its growth capacity will be studied, along with the marketing potential of the oil based on demand and market trends. The effects of climate change on phenology will also be analyzed, and the environmental footprint will be calculated considering water, emissions, and biodiversity. These results will allow for the definition of profitable and sustainable production models. For farmers, applying these findings will facilitate correctly sizing the plantation, optimizing investments, improving market positioning, and meeting future environmental requirements, thus ensuring long-term economic stability.

A strong visual identity for the project will be created through the design of a common logo and promotional materials in Spanish and English, such as brochures, posters, fact sheets, presentations, and a promotional video. These resources will clearly explain the objectives, progress, and expected impacts, facilitating their understanding by farmers, technicians, and cooperatives. Dissemination will have national and international reach, increasing the sector's visibility. For producers, having access to simple and readily available information will allow them to learn about applicable innovations, improve decision-making, and adopt more efficient practices. Professional communication will strengthen the image of olive groves, promote the effective transfer of results, and contribute to improved competitiveness and market positioning.

A strategic website in Spanish and English will be designed as the project's main communication platform, complemented by press releases, website and social media posts, a presentation webinar, and informative articles on specialized platforms. This digital strategy will ensure continuous and accessible dissemination of technical results, progress, and conclusions, with national and international reach. For farmers and cooperatives, having access to up-to-date and structured information will facilitate the adoption of innovations and best production practices. Open access to practical content will reduce uncertainty, improve decision-making, and promote the modernization of the sector, strengthening its competitiveness and visibility in demanding markets.

Initial and final sessions, demonstration workshops, sector-specific talks, and participation in conferences and trade fairs will be organized to directly disseminate the project's results. In-person and hybrid events will be held to share technical advancements, conclusions, and real-world experiences from the field and olive mill. Culinary demonstrations and tastings will also be conducted to enhance the perceived value of the olive oil. These activities will facilitate exchange among farmers, cooperatives, and technicians at both the national and international levels. For producers, participation will mean learning about applicable innovations, resolving technical questions, and adopting improvements with less risk. In-person knowledge transfer will drive the practical implementation of the results and strengthen competitiveness and market differentiation.

Description

The SUPRAOLIVO project promotes an innovative and sustainable olive-growing model in Galicia, Castile and León, and Andalusia, regions with very diverse climatic and production conditions. Its objective is to increase the competitiveness of farms working with native varieties, improving their adaptation to climate change, the differentiated quality of their oil, and the environmental and economic sustainability of the crop. Local or little-known varieties will be identified and valued, techniques such as mycorrhization, rational fertilization, and efficient irrigation will be optimized, and the physicochemical and sensory quality of the oils, as well as their economic and environmental impact, will be analyzed. Participating entities include AGACA as the coordinating body, PROLIGAL with its own plots in Galicia, ADRISS and Aceiteros del Águeda in Castile and León, and Luque Ecológico in Andalusia, along with the IAS-CSIC (Institute of Agricultural Research of the Spanish National Research Council). The project will foster interregional cooperation, knowledge transfer, and the sustainable development of rural areas.

Description of activities

The project will develop a coordinated set of technical and demonstrative activities aimed at modernizing and strengthening the sustainability and competitiveness of olive cultivation in Galicia, Castile and León, and Andalusia. In the first phase, representative plots will be selected and their detailed edaphoclimatic characterization will be carried out to evaluate the adaptation of native varieties and other varieties of interest, analyzing their productive, phenological, and health performance under different environmental conditions. Sustainable management practices will be applied and compared, such as rational fertilization in acidic soils, irrigation optimization through moisture monitoring, mycorrhization in new plantations, and soil maintenance with cover crops, incorporating monitoring tools to improve crop efficiency and resilience. Simultaneously, the production, oil yield, and physicochemical and sensory quality of the oils obtained will be studied, establishing relationships between agronomic management, climatic conditions, and final quality. Furthermore, the prospecting, genetic identification, and multiplication of local varieties of interest will be carried out, establishing demonstration plots to validate their potential. The project will include agro-economic and sustainability studies to assess profitability, scalability, market potential and environmental footprint, culminating in transfer and dissemination actions aimed at farmers and technicians to facilitate the practical adoption of the results.

Objectives

The project addresses the adaptation of specific olive varieties to the soil and climate conditions of the study areas, the erosion of varietal biodiversity, and limited competitiveness in emerging regions. It will involve agronomic trials, selection and valorization of local varieties, application of sustainable techniques, and oil quality analysis to improve resilience, profitability, and market differentiation, facilitating knowledge transfer to farmers and technicians.

Contact information
  • Coordinator/Entity Name: AGACA-Galician Association of Agri-food Cooperatives
  • Postal address: Rua Tomiño 22 mezzanine 15703 Santiago de Compostela
  • Email coordinator/entity: agaca@agaca.coop
  • Telephone: 981584783
Coordinators
  • AGACA-ASOCIACION GALEGA DE COOPERATIVAS AGROALIMENTARIAS
Beneficiaries
  • PROLIGAL (Productores de Olivas de Galicia) (SOCIEDADE COOP. GALEGA)
  • ADRISS (Asociación para el Desarrollo Rural Integral de las Sierras de Salamanca)
  • ACEITEROS DEL ÁGUEDA SAT 10245
  • CSIC (INSTITUTO DE AGRICULTURA SOSTENIBLE – CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTÍFICAS)
  • LUQUE ECOLÓGICO S.L.