The government's experimental farm at Ghammieri is a hive of activity thanks to the energy and enthusiasm of a handful of young agricultural officers who, under the direction of their Principal Scientific Officers, are keen to carry out trials which will pave the way forward for the agricultural sector.
Gilbert Camilleri is very much into olive and vine tree cultivation. Under the overall direction of Randall Caruana, various olive varieties are being grown at Ghammieri. Some trees produce olives for the table, others for oil while some can be used for both.
"We use the trees both to see which are best suited to our soils and climate as well as to show those interested how they should be pruned to keep the tree healthy and of a certain size," Mr Camilleri said.
Vines are being grown organically while growers are being encouraged to sow beans in the rows between vine trees because bean plants provide nitrogen to the soil. They do not compete with the vines, while their canopy helps inhibit the growth of weeds. The farm has some 27 vine varieties.
There are also eight varieties of prickly pears, which produce different coloured fruit. Some have fewer spines than others.
Darren Borg is experimenting with organic produce such as lettuce, cabbage, kohlrabi, peas, beans and onions as well as alpha alpha, a breed of fodder rich in protein that can be fed when fresh and even when dried.
This could change the concept of fodder locally as it only needs to be planted once. When harvested, the plant will regenerate itself.
Another agricultural officer, Alden Grima, is carrying out experiments on composting using earthworms.
"We are testing a method which can produce compost which growers can use and which would enable them to get rid of their unwanted foliage in an environment-friendly way."
Experiments are also being carried out with the production of ilma zahar (orange blossom water) made from flowers of bitter Seville oranges (bakkaljaw), which is used for marmalade.
Marlon Apap, whose principal scientific officer is Noel Azzopardi, deals with animal husbandry. The farm has a herd of Maltese and other goats. The idea is to extract goats' milk, which abroad is sold at a premium. Cheese made from goats' milk is scarce and fetches a high price abroad and there is no reason why this should not be the case here too. This will help farmers get more money for their milk and ensure the survival of goat herds, Mr Apap said.
Ghammieri has a fully fledged apiary, managed by scientific officer Melvyn Magri.
It has a special viewing tunnel that has been constructed so that visitors can watch the process without being stung. Rosemary, lavender, salvia and other plants which bees visit to make their honey, have been planted all around the area where the beehives are.
There is another side to Ghammieri which is very important for farmers, since that is where they can get assistance to apply for EU funds.
Evan Azzopardi is one of the officers who helps farmers fill in their application forms for such funds.
This year there are three other centres for applications besides Ghammieri: Zabbar, Mosta and the Ta' Qali vegetable market, Il-Pitkalija.
Over 2,000 applications have been received since March 15, but there were no queues at Ghammieri, which is the principal centre and which has processed almost as much as the three centres put together. The deadline for applications is May 15.
The farm has recently registered a trademark "tal-Ghammieri" to be able to sell sample produce. Honey, marmalade and olive oil are marketed under this brand.
"We are here to make a showcase of Maltese agricultural produce. We are not out to make money. Most of what we sell is in the form of gift packs that people buy after visiting the farm.
"What we are trying to do is to show growers and farmers the way, hoping they will realise there is a market for their produce," one of the farm's top officials said.
The farm houses ostriches, llamas, deer, emu and a monkey.