Prototyping and dissemination of ecological olive production systems : a methodology for designing and a first step towards validation and dissemination of prototype Ecological Olive Productions Systems (EOPS) in Crete

The olive sector in Crete, Greece, as in many other olive producing regions in Mediterranean European Union, faces agronomic, ecological and socioeconomic problems. These problems to a large extent are due to one sided ways of production aimed at maximum levels of production while ignoring product quality, agroecosystem functions and processes, and environment. Besides, many problems are due to the gradual abolishment of price intervention by the European Union. Therefore, olive production in the future should become sustainable. The development of multi-functional olive production, marketed with an ecological label, is considered as the most promising solution. To explore this, an innovative research project has been established at the western Messara plain (Faistos area), southern Crete, Greece. This book presents the methodology, the theoretical prototype and the initial results of prototyping and dissemination of ecological olive production systems.Chapter 1 of the book starts with a diagnosis of conventional olive production. Subsequently the methodology followed in the innovative research project aimed at prototyping (designing, testing and improving prototypes) ecological olive production is outlined. Two networks created to facilitate the achievement of the project objectives are described: (a) the foundation "Cretan Agri-environmental Group", for conversion from conventional to ecological production and for transition to an ecological knowledge system, and (b) the pilot group of olive growers, for interactive prototyping.Chapter 2 provides the geographic (soils, climatic Patterns, vegetation and animal life, and agroecological characteristics) and the socio-economic characteristics of the area. It emphasises the agroecological characteristics of the groves in the project area.Chapter 3 outlines a process for establishing the objectives of ecological production, considering the agricultural, ecological and socio-economic circumstances and constraints of the region. Besides, it provides the procedure for making a hierarchy of objectives and the resulting objectives for ecological olive production systems in the project area.Chapter 4 describes how the objectives of ecological olive production systems are transformed and quantified with appropriate parameters in order to establish desired results and to improve the prototypes until these results are achieved. It provides the quantification of objectives with twelve new parameters for olive production. Besides, this chapter presents the desired ranges for these parameters in the project area and the procedure of parameter quantification.Chapter 5 outlines how appropriate farming methods for realising. the objectives of the prototypes are designed. Six methods are initially designed in the framework of a theoretical prototype. They deal with the ecological management of cover crops, nutrients, ecological infrastructure, water, and insect pests and pathogens. These methods are described as well as their application under the specific conditions of the agroecological zones of the area.Chapter 6 describes the layout of the prototype in three specific variants (hilly extensive groves, hilly intensive groves and plain intensive groves) and in seventeen pilot groves provided by the twelve pilot olive growers. The initial results of testing the prototype with ten parameters, in 1994 and 1995 are presented. These initial results are related to the introduction of the six multiobjective methods by the pilot growers. They show the progress made since the introduction of the prototype and during the conversion period to ecological agriculture. This chapter also discusses the improvement of the prototype in accordance with a methodical procedure and the required specific improvements of the methods in accordance with a set of criteria.Chapter 7 outlines a network for preparing and disseminating the prototype at the regional scale. The network for area specific prototype groups is described as well as the principles of forming such groups. The dissemination of the prototypes is outlined, and the importance of pilot groups at the different areas of Crete is emphasised.Finally in Chapter 8 the research and pilot project circumstances are revised. Future perspectives of prototyping and dissemination of ecological olive production systems are discussed, with emphasis on the required improvements considering the initial results. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and constraints of prototyping and dissemination are outlined in relation to the application of the new methodology that was followed.