OTA has developed over time various projects focused on optimizing olive groves and promoting organic olive farming. These projects, some of which were conducted in collaboration with important Scientific Institutions at both national and regional levels, aim to improve agricultural practices and sustainability.
Among the main projects carried out by O.T.A., we can mention:
Mateo Project (2009): “Technical and Economic Models for Cost Reduction in Olive Farms in Tuscany,” a project aimed at improving the efficiency and economic sustainability of olive groves in Tuscany.
New Olive Cultivation Systems (2001): “Agronomic, Economic, and Quality Aspects,” a project that explored new approaches to olive cultivation, with the goal of improving both agronomic techniques and product quality.
Eleiva Project (2008-2009): An initiative focused on innovations in the olive-growing sector, with particular attention to quality and sustainability.
These projects represent a significant commitment by O.T.A. to support the modernization of the olive-growing sector and promote environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
Mateo Project
The MATEO project, developed between 2005 and 2008 as part of a research call for the development of the olive-oil sector in Tuscany, was funded by ARSIA and coordinated by Olivicoltori Toscani Associati Scrl. This project involved 20 olive farms, representing different production realities in terms of size, topography, and geography. The cost analysis conducted on these farms provided a clear picture of the profitability of olive growing for each territorial area.
One of the main goals of the project was to reduce costs by implementing new forms of mechanization and pruning. In particular, the impact of mechanization on costs and productivity was evaluated. The analyses led to the definition of strategies aimed at revitalizing Tuscan olive growing, particularly concerning the optimization of agronomic practices.
The project had a strong dissemination component, with the organization of 18 demonstration and seminar days, the publication of over 20 scientific papers, and participation in over 30 conferences, seminars, and round tables. Furthermore, the project contributed to the development of 12 graduate theses.
A particularly significant result of the MATEO project was the design and development of two new agricultural machines for olive harvesting and for treatments on difficult terrains, such as terraced or steeply sloped areas. These small, track-mounted machines represent a groundbreaking innovation and offer a significant advantage for olive growers operating in challenging areas.
The success of the project also attracted the interest of numerous Italian agricultural machinery manufacturers, who oriented the development of their products in line with the findings of the MATEO project, thus promoting technological progress in the sector.
New Olive Cultivation Systems
The olive-oil sector is widely recognized as a key element of Tuscany’s agricultural economy. Its importance lies not only in the value of the final product, olive oil, but also in the crucial role that olive cultivation plays in environmental protection and the preservation of the Tuscan landscape. Olive groves not only shape and give character to the region but are often located in areas difficult to cultivate with other crops, thus contributing to the prevention of land abandonment and the maintenance of hydrogeological balance.
The Tuscan landscape, inherently linked to the presence of olive groves, is a valuable cultural and environmental heritage. This landscape connection, combined with growing attention to integrated rural development, makes the olive-oil sector a strategic priority. In fact, the integration of agricultural production, environmental protection, and the socio-economic development of rural areas represents a fundamental basis for the sustainability of the local economy.
The centrality of the olive-growing sector in research and development calls is not accidental. These initiatives aim to address some of the operational challenges that characterize the sector, many of which stem from the complex and fragmented nature of the Tuscan territory. Therefore, research focuses on technical and strategic solutions that can improve the productivity and sustainability of olive cultivation while preserving the landscape and environmental values.
This integrated approach demonstrates the commitment to supporting a sector that, despite its relevance, continues to face significant challenges related to the territory’s morphology and the need to reconcile agricultural productivity with landscape preservation.
Eleiva Project
The “Eleiva, Oleum, Oil” Project is a multidisciplinary initiative designed to explore the origins of Tuscany’s olive-growing heritage, with a focus on the Amiata-Val d’Orcia area. This project aims to overcome the limitations of traditional historical and archaeological research on ancient olive growing by expanding the analysis with more scientific and technologically advanced approaches.
The project’s goal is to trace the origins and development of olive domestication in Italy, focusing on the relationship between the natural environment and human activities carried out near ancient archaeological sites. The central idea is that not only the traces left by humans but also the environment itself, through its current vegetation, can preserve characteristics developed in parallel with the demographic and cultural history of these places.
To this end, the project adopts a research methodology that integrates different disciplines: archaeology, botany, and biological-molecular analysis. The work involves analyzing the genetic profile of ancient and wild olive trees found near selected archaeological sites. This type of investigation, conducted alongside the historical study of the sites themselves, aims to document and understand the persistence of olive varieties and their evolution over time.
The “Eleiva” Project continues the research initiated with the VINUM Project but broadens the scope of investigation, emphasizing not only the final product but also the historical and biological roots of olive growing in the Tuscan region. The research thus aims to provide a significant contribution to understanding the ancient dynamics that led to the development of an olive-growing heritage as rich as it is deeply linked to the territory.
