The OliveCulture Scale-Up Project agronomic team, accompanied by Italian expert Dr Luigi Catalano of the Italian Nurserymen Association, carried out a technical field visit to the Izhar Olive Farm Germplasm Unit and Nursery to strengthen local olive nursery practices. The visit focused on practical guidance for maintaining mother blocks and advancing propagation techniques to improve uniformity and vitality of planting material.
During the assessment the team examined nursery control sheds and lath houses and outlined measures to enhance daily management, hygiene and environmental control that directly affect seedling quality. Emphasis was placed on methods that raise the production of high-quality, uniform olive plants and reduce variability across propagation batches.
Discussions also addressed aligning nursery operations with international self-standing certification standards so that nurseries can meet global benchmarks for traceability and plant health. The collaboration with the Italian Nurserymen Association aims to transfer technical know-how to local staff and support sustainable improvements in the olive nursery sector.
Project officials said these technical recommendations are intended to bolster the capacity of the Izhar Olive Farm Germplasm Unit and nearby producers, fostering reliable supply of certified planting material that can benefit olive growers across the region and help raise overall agronomic standards.
