'Outstanding' interest in olive tree project

Over 250 Maltese and Gozitans have declared their interest in planting over 13,700 indigenous Maltese olive trees on their land with the aim of producing Maltese olive oil and related products.

The olive trees should be planted over the next two years, Bank of Valletta said yesterday.

The Project for the Revival of the Indigenous Maltese Olive, Primo, is an environmental and afforestation initiative undertaken by Sam Cremona with the support of the bank and the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment.

Primo is seeking to encourage the dissemination of the indigenous Maltese olive tree with a long-term view of producing monocultivar (single genetic variant) certified oil and related products.

The first stage of this project involved a survey to assess the interest by the public to grow the indigenous Maltese olive trees on their land. Bank of Valletta undertook the administration of the survey and accepted application forms through its branch network.

"The response from the public is unprecedented and outstanding," Mr Cremona said. "The first phase of the Primo project is a success and is clear evidence that the Maltese farmers, entrepreneurs and the public are taking to heart the growing of olive trees and the consumption of extra virgin olive oil derived from the fruit of their own orchards," he said.

Following discussions with Bank of Valletta and with the Department of Agriculture, it has been decided to aim for a production of 5,000 indigenous Maltese olive trees this year in view of capacity constraints.

Applicants who have shown interest in this project will be contacted over the coming weeks with details on how the project will proceed and the terms and conditions on which the trees will be distributed.

Bank of Valletta said it will be financing the purchase and importation of certified rootstock to produce the trees.

The Department of Agriculture will be providing the greenhouse as well as the technical expertise required for the grafting of the indigenous Maltese olive trees.

Mr Cremona said the importation and grafting of the root stock will take place over March and April. The target is for the distribution of the trees to take place over the months of October and November.