A new European project called ‘ARTOLIO’ as part of the ENI CBC Med programme was launched in October 2020 to implement innovative, developmental measures that will drive improvements in the quality of production
ARTOLIO, in addition to focusing on process improvement, sustainability and energy efficiency, will contribute to establishing a new level of superior quality for extra virgin olive oil. These measures aim to improve the local economy of the participating countries and provide the rural world and/or agricultural sector with tools that will help place the product on the market and position its quality and give it visibility in other spaces of international scope.
Members of the Mediterranean countries of Israel, Greece, France, Cyprus, Palestine, Jordan and Spain are participating in the project. ARTOLIO is coordinated by the Agricultural Research Organization (ARO Volcani Center and partners from the Beit Hakerem Cluster - Israel), National Agricultural Research Center (Jordan), Palestinian Centre for Agriculture Research and
Development (Palestine), American Farm School Post-Secondary Educational and Training Association (Greece), Hellenic Agricultural Organization DEMETER (Greece), Department of Agriculture – Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (Cyprus), University of Jaén (Spain), Université de Corse Pasquale Paoli (France) and Kellenfol Advertising S.L. (Spain).
ARTOLIO’s objectives and commitments
Among the results of the project, a substantial improvement in the quality of the extra virgin olive oil is expected. In line with the EU’s commitments to reduce CO2 emissions and protect the environment, it also aims to help producers implement sustainable development methods and best energy efficiency practices. Likewise, ARTOLIO’s objective is to apply the methodology so that it can be replicated in other Mediterranean regions of the EU.
In addition, the project aims to provide knowledge in marketing and sales, as well as to provide technology that helps improve the global visibility of the local product. To do so, ARTOLIO will provide a digital system in which it intends to bring together producers, experts, buyers and consumers, with the goal of also activating the existing knowledge and culture surrounding extra virgin olive oil.
