Here's the Olive Growing Plan: 70 new hectares of olive groves planned

It was presented this morning at the Ministry of Agriculture – Minister Lollobrigida and Undersecretary La Pietra were present – the first draft of the new National Olive Oil PlanSeventy pages analyze the Italian olive oil and olive oil situation and understand how to revitalize the entire sector through a series of structural interventions. Figures haven’t been disclosed yet, but a clear framework has been established.

OlivoNews will address the various topics, article by article, as well as the immediately evident critical issues.

As a first aspect, it is worth taking into consideration theThe Plan’s stated objective is to achieve a 25% growth in national oil production within 7 years., through a increase or restructuring of approximately 70 thousand hectares of olive-growing area, Equal to 6% of the total olive grove area, with more modern systems, which will guarantee a higher yield per hectare and at the same time a greater availability of Italian EVO.

In particular, the Plan provides for:

new plantations on approximately 45.000 hectares of land currently dedicated to other crops;
uprooting/replanting and thickening (to achieve minimum densities of 300 plants per hectare) for approximately 15.000 hectares of traditional olive groves in suitable areas;
irrigation systems on approximately 8.000 hectares.

In the cases of uprooting and replanting only, compensation for lost income of 1.000 euros per hectare for 3 years is assumed.

Taking into account the standard costs defined for olive growing (source: National Rural Network) and taking into account that the new planting and thickening operations will be compensated by the National Olive Oil Plan for 60%, while the lost revenue will be paid at 100%, theThe measure requires a requirement of approximately 370 million euros.

Access to the benefits of the National Olive Oil Plan will be open to businesses that can afford to make a sustainable investment and ensure their product is marketed: businesses operating as entrepreneurs, either individually or in partnership, with a company file or PO and/or Cooperative, and acting independently or on behalf of landowners; young entrepreneurs, companies associated with POs and/or cooperatives, and young entrepreneurs setting up their first business;