The deputy for Economic Promotion of the Diputació de Lleida, Jordi Verdú, participated this Wednesday in the third edition of the Forum of Extra Virgin Olive Oil of Catalonia (FOOVE), held at the Olive Pavilion in Les Borges Blanques. The event focused on debating the olive tree's production model and the coexistence between different production methods, from intensive and super-intensive olive groves to traditional, rain-fed, and agroecological models.
Verdú, alongside the mayor of Les Borges Blanques, Josep R. Farran, and the Director General of Agri-food Businesses of the Generalitat, Joan Gòdia, emphasized that “talking about oil in Les Borges is not just talking about a product. It’s talking about territory, landscape, farming, economy, and a way of life”. He advocated for Les Borges Blanques as “the capital of oil” and highlighted the need for viable farms that allow producers to earn a dignified living and for young people to see professional opportunities in the agri-food sector.
The deputy linked these goals with Gust de Lleida, an initiative to connect the entire agri-food chain, recalling the recent MOS Fair where oil played a prominent role. The day combined technical debates with direct farming experiences, addressing the production model from various perspectives with the participation of Josep Ramon Sainz de la Maza, Víctor Sas, Albert Ferré, Roger Catà, José Antonio Robles, and Josep Maria Escribà.
The session addressed the future of the Catalan olive tree and the role of different production models. The event concluded with a field trip and practical workshops on designing super-intensive espalier olive plantations, soil management, and vegetation cover management.
