Portuguese olive oil

Fertilization, cultivation and protection of olive trees in Portugal

Portugal is located in the continent of Europe, more precisely on its south western part. It is surrounded by the Spanish on the north and east and the huge expanse of the Atlantic Ocean in the south and west. The presence of the ocean results in oceanic type climates near the coastal area while the Mediterranean type climates dominate the other parts of the country. This Mediterranean type climate is conducive to the growth of olive groves in Portugal. Olive oil cultivation is not a simple task as it involves extensive harvesting and pressing which are laborious and time consuming. Moreover, they have to be pressed within stipulated time periods, otherwise, the quality of the output is bound to suffer. Today olive oil production has increased in Portugal with the use of better technological tools and scientific means to allow better quality production and reap good dividends.

There are various modes of soil conservation and fertilization which are used by the Portuguese olive growers to protect their crops and assure supreme quality production. In Portugal, recent statistics reveal that about 58% of the farmers use fertilizers like natural phosphates against fungal diseases. 50% use green manure in order to protect the plant against mutual enemies. Soil tillage is one aspect of soil conservation and fertilization which is used by all the Portuguese olive growers once or twice or several times annually.

Protecting the olive plants against the two main pests olive moth and olive fly are the main challenges faced by the farmers and it is alarming to find that most of the farmers have devised no means for controlling these pests which can affect the quality of production. Therefore it is high time that certain steps are taken in order to ensure hassle free cultivation and refined quality production which will increase its value in the world export market ensuring rich dividends.