OCP Demonstration fields drive up olive production by 30%

Olive Demonstrations farms cultivated by the OCP group last year yielded 6,1 T/ha. That’s 30 percent more crops than in farms nearby.

Over 1506 demonstration farms across 27 provinces tested technologies that enabled the production of 6 tons and 100 kilograms per hectare, while ordinary agricultural lands recorded an average yield of 4 tons and 700 kilograms.

The Demonstration farms were used to research and demonstrate various agricultural techniques by OCP agricultural engineers belonging to the “Al Muthmar” initiative to support farmers.

Demonstration farms are widely used across the world to enable the sharing of new concepts and innovations in agriculture that could boost production and help with farmers’ most pressing problems.

In the 27 provinces where they were tested, the demonstration farms enabled growth ranging from 15 percent to 54 percent.

The report said improved technical management and new technologies improved the weight and size of olive by 11% compared to regular fields. Oil quality improved by 18%.

The OCP added that the integrated production program adopted in the demonstration platforms resulted in an improvement of around 40% of farmers’ revenues.

The group, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, through the “Al Muthmar” initiative seeks to introduce small farmers to adopt smart and good agricultural practices in the face of climate threats.