Soil O-Live Project Takes Major Steps Forward in Morocco
The European initiative Soil O-Live, spearheaded by the University of Jaén (UJA), is making significant progress as it convenes for its fourth annual meeting. Following previous gatherings in Jaén (Spain), Mitilene (Greece), and Trapani (Italy), the city of Meknes in Morocco will serve as the operational hub for this international consortium from today until March 27. The primary aim of this meeting is to further advance the regeneration of olive grove ecosystems.
Among the attendees will be project coordinator Antonio Manzaneda, an ecology professor at UJA, who will lead various technical and strategic working sessions. All partners from the consortium are expected to participate, either in person or online, ensuring comprehensive coordination among universities, research centers, and international entities involved in this collaborative effort. Notably, the Meknes meeting will also feature key institutional figures, including Luis Sánchez Álvarez from the Mission Soil Secretariat of the European Commission, and Juan Antonio Polo, head of the Olive Technology and Environment Department at the International Olive Council (IOC).
Objectives and Activities of the Annual Meeting
This fourth meeting aims to prioritize the evaluation of achieved milestones and outline the next steps for transforming soil management in olive cultivation. The agenda will focus on translating scientific data into actionable solutions that enhance biodiversity, soil fertility, and resilience against climate change in Mediterranean soils, as highlighted by the project's advocates.
The choice of Morocco as the venue for this meeting underscores the international dimension of Soil O-Live, which has explored major Mediterranean production sites since its inception. This itinerant approach allows the consortium to gain firsthand insights into the diverse realities of olive cultivation and tailor its soil health improvement strategies to the specific needs of each region.
The program for this year's meeting emphasizes a technical and strategic approach, blending data analysis sessions with fieldwork. Over the five scheduled days, experts will delve into assessing soil biodiversity and functionality, as well as examining the impact of agricultural practices on olive oil quality. Additionally, the agenda includes coordination sessions for various work packages and technical visits to experimental farms in the Meknes region.
These activities will enable researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of the Moroccan olive sector, exchange knowledge with local producers, and adapt Soil O-Live's scientific solutions to the unique climatic and edaphological conditions of North Africa.
As reported by mercacei.com.
