The trial conducted by the AGRI-ROVENAT Operational Group, promoted by the General Foundation CSIC, is making successful progress in several plots of native grapevines and olive trees located in the municipality of Quiroga (Lugo). The trial has evaluated how the introduction of sheep, subjected to an induced aversion process toward these crops, contributes to maintaining biodiversity and natural ground cover. Additionally, a second method has been tested: the use of a remote-controlled mowing robot developed by Millasur. Both systems help preserve the vegetation cover in the olive grove while preventing soil erosion, a common issue in sloped areas like Ribeira Sacra, where this pilot project is taking place on land owned by the company Ouro de Quiroga.
Optimizing Sustainability
One of the primary goals of the project is to implement and optimize sustainable and environmentally friendly crop management methods capable of enhancing the beauty of the Ribeira Sacra landscape and preserving biodiversity.
The director of the VIOR Group (Viticulture, Olive, and Rose) at the Misión Biológica de Galicia-CSIC, Carmen Martínez, who is also the scientific coordinator of this project, has overseen the development of the trial and has revealed that "subsequently, the advantages and disadvantages of each of the methods used in the native Galician olive grove and vineyard plots will be compared." She also explained that the induced aversion specifically targeting the olive grove and vineyard aims to prevent the sheep from feeding on the cultivated plants and ensures they only graze on the vegetation covering the soil. This method guarantees animal welfare and health and has been developed, tested, and published by the Recerca des Remugants group at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Additionally, a study will soon be conducted on the quality of milk produced by these sheep to examine whether the controlled feeding and grazing in olive and vineyard plots have a direct impact on its composition and flavor.
Another objective is to promote the recovery of native Galician olive tree varieties. These initiatives are framed within circular economy processes, aiming to be effective and profitable for farmers, while also fostering the launch of new sustainable entrepreneurship projects that contribute to the socio-economic revitalization of rural areas through increased production of native Galician olive oil.
Ouro de Quiroga is an example of a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) driven by locals from Ribeira Sacra, who have bet on valuing products and recovering land-based traditions with a sustainable approach that includes pioneering innovation processes. Currently, they cultivate two native Galician varieties: the brava and the mansa, which they use to produce extra virgin olive oil.
The AGRI-ROVENAT Operational Group, co-financed by the European Union and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, is led by the General Foundation CSIC and driven by the VIOR group of the Misión Biológica de Galicia (CSIC), which coordinates the scientific and technical aspects of the project. Also participating are the Dairy Safe group from the Institute of Dairy Products of Asturias (CSIC), the Fundación Laboral Santa Bárbara (FUSBA), and the companies Ovejas y Corderos and Millasur. Aromas del Narcea and Ouro de Quiroga collaborate in various phases of the project, with administrative coordination by artica+i and communication management by Sánchez Pardo Comunicación.
The total cost of the Supra Autonomic GO AGRI-ROVENAT is €615,375.45. It has been subsidized with €598,225.45, of which 80% (€478,550.35) comes from FEADER funds.
The pioneering demonstration has been attended by Jorge Cabero Zumalacárregui, Director of Innovation at Fundación General CSIC; Carmen Martínez, Director of the VIOR Group (Viticulture, Olive, and Rose) at the Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG)-CSIC and scientific coordinator of the project; Luis H. Noriega, scientific researcher at the Institute of Dairy Products of Asturias CSIC; José Luis Santiago, researcher at the VIOR Group – MBG – CSIC; Julio Quiroga, co-owner of Ouro de Quiroga; Matías Búa, from Millasur; and Miguel Lorenzo, from Ovejas y Corderos S.L.
