Qazvin - An expert with the International Olive Council (IOC) in Greece said that applying scientific principles in olive orchard management is essential, noting that it can dramatically enhance both product quality and overall orchard performance.

 

Addressing a specilized workshop on olive cultivation in the northwestern city of Qazvin, Andreas Jahanshahi highlighted the critical role of plant nutrition in determining olive quality and said, “Overuse of calcium, he explained, can harden the olive pit and make the fruit unsuitable for oil extraction - an important factor growers must keep in mind when fertilizing.”

 

Referring to Greece’s experience, he said that many of the country’s olive orchards - with an annual average rainfall of about 600 millimeters - are managed primarily as rainfed systems.

 

This demonstrates, he added, the need for careful planning and scientifically informed management practices.

 

Jahanshahi described the National Olive and Olive Oil Event in Qazvin as a valuable platform for exchanging expertise, strengthening technical knowledge, and presenting scientific solutions to improve olive and olive oil production.