The University of Jaén (UJA), through its University Institute for Research in Olive Groves and Olive Oils (INUO), is playing a key role in one of Europe’s most ambitious collaborative research initiatives in organic agriculture: the SCALE-it project (UpSCALing Efficient alternatives for contentious InpuTs in organic farming). Funded by the European Commission with over €7.2 million, the project aims to replace controversial agricultural inputs with sustainable, scalable, and environmentally friendly solutions.
UJA’s involvement in this large-scale consortium — composed of 36 institutions from 15 countries and coordinated by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in Switzerland — is focused on one of the region’s most emblematic crops: the organic olive grove. In Andalusia, the University is leading demonstration trials in olive orchards to reduce the use of inputs such as copper, mineral oils, and Spinosad, which are commonly used for pest and disease control. Similar trials are also being carried out in other strategic crops such as grapevines and tomatoes.
However, the goal of SCALE-it goes beyond simply replacing inputs. It seeks to develop efficient alternatives that support soil health, biodiversity, and overall agroecological balance. In this context, the University of Jaén contributes not only with technical knowledge and scientific expertise in sustainable olive farming, but also by assessing the real-world effects of these new practices under field conditions.
This initiative is aligned with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy, which call for a transition to more sustainable, resilient, and environmentally conscious farming systems. Particularly in southern Spain, organic olive cultivation presents a unique opportunity to strengthen sustainable agriculture in areas of high environmental value, where olive growing plays a key social, economic, and cultural role.
By taking part in SCALE-it, the University of Jaén reinforces its position as a reference institution in sustainable agriculture and innovation in the olive sector, advocating for a cleaner, more efficient form of farming that meets the challenges of climate change and natural resource conservation.
Sources: www.diariodigitalujaen.es 24th June 2025
