Nowadays, the agricultural sector in Europe stands at the crossroads of innovation and sustainability. The primary sector, comprising agriculture, forestry, livestock, and fisheries, forms the bedrock of many economies, particularly in rural regions. Yet, amidst the evolving landscape of market demands and environmental concerns, harnessing the potential of the primary sector becomes paramount. This is where OLEAF4VALUE plays a key role, aiming to revolutionize the olive industry by redefining the value chain, from adding value to an underused biomass to fully exploiting its endless potential in the market.

The foundation of agricultural value chains

At the heart of every agricultural value chain lies the primary sector. While traditionally overshadowed by downstream processes like transformation and marketing, recent shifts in consumer preferences and sustainability imperatives have underscored the significance of the primary sector. From ensuring adherence to stringent quality standards to meeting the growing demand for sustainable practices and health improvement. However, integrating sustainable approaches at the grassroots level can not only balance economic priorities but also enhance social and environmental impacts, fostering equitable market access for rural producers.

A sneak-peek into the olive value chain

The olive tree, with its versatile fruits and industrial sidestreams, sustains a thriving ecosystem of production and innovation. From the cultivation of olives to the production of olive oil, this value chain epitomizes the synergy between primary production and downstream processes. Moreover, the exploration of olive leaf as a valuable resource underscores the untapped potential within the olive ecosystem, promising avenues for diverse applications in medicine, cosmetics, and beyond.

Maximizing value through sustainable practices

The sustainable utilization of agricultural byproducts represents a pivotal opportunity to enhance the economic and environmental sustainability of the primary sector. In the case of olive leaves, historically viewed as waste, research has unveiled their myriad benefits across various industries. However, capitalizing on this potential necessitates strategic considerations to address logistical challenges and ensure product quality. By integrating byproducts into the value chain, stakeholders can not only mitigate environmental impacts but also bolster socio-economic development in rural areas.

How does OLEAF4VALUE play a key role here?

Within the framework of OLEAF4VALUE, the primary sector assumes a central role in driving innovation and sustainability across the olive value chain.

Imagine a world where every step in the journey from olive leaf to finished product is optimized for efficiency, quality, health and sustainability. That’s exactly what the OLEAF4VALUE initiative aims to achieve!

In WP1, a team of experts from INNORENEW, NATAC, OLÉICOLA EL TEJAR, and INGECOR is diving deep into the olive biomass, exploring its potential and refining processes to extract its maximum value.

They’re starting by getting to know the olive biomass inside out. They’re investigating how factors like farming practices, olive variety, and even seasonal variations affect biomass. By understanding these influences, they can tailor their processes accordingly.

Furthermore, they’re creating a Biomass Suitability Index (BSI) – a handy tool that grades biomass quality based on various parameters. This index will guide decision-making throughout the supply chain, ensuring the best possible outcomes. Finally, they’re taking their sensors out into the field for validation. By testing them in real-world conditions, they’ll ensure that their innovations are practical and effective.

To tie it all together, once they’ve got a handle on the raw material, they experiment with different conditioning and pre-treatment methods. This includes everything from drying techniques to fermentation processes, all aimed at optimizing the biomass for further processing. But they’re not stopping there. They’re also developing cutting-edge sensors to assess biomass quality, composition, and phytochemical profile in real-time. These portable devices will revolutionize the way olive biomass is handled, ensuring top-notch quality every step of the way.

In a nutshell, WP1 is all about unlocking the full potential of olive biomass – from standardized starting material to optimized processes. It’s a crucial first step towards a more efficient and sustainable olive industry.

Even though the project is coming to an end soon, partners have worked hard to ensure high-quality results which summarize the objectives and goals that they have met within the project’s timeline. These results aim to foster the creation of new value chains, in order to keep innovating in the olive industry and keep fostering the valorisation of the underused biomass known as olive leaves.