The 3 Vessanes project, driven by the Terra i Ànima Foundation, was created to reverse the abandonment of fields due to lack of generational succession and low profitability. It focuses on the native Argudell variety of Empordà, of which only about 2,000 hectares are estimated worldwide, representing 1% of the total olive trees.
“"The objective is to recover traditional Argudell olive groves in a state of abandonment and give them a new life through ecological and regenerative agriculture, so that they are resilient at all levels."
They currently manage 22 hectares in different stages of recovery, mainly in the L'Albera area, including the municipalities of Sant Climent Sescebes, Espolla, and Rabós d'Empordà. The commitment is to produce high-quality extra virgin olive oil, a key element to guarantee the economic viability and value of the territory, according to Ullastres.
The initiative promotes a change in the agricultural model, shifting from the use of herbicides to the application of compost and organic fertilizers, favoring spontaneous vegetation and soil improvement. These regenerative practices seek to increase crop resilience against the climate emergency, enhancing soil moisture and biodiversity.
This effort is part of the fight against the widespread abandonment of traditional olive groves in Catalonia and the Mediterranean. The 3 Vessanes project is working to establish cooperation networks and is in the process of joining the XOOC (Network of Olive Growers of Catalonia).
