The educational seminar «Sustainable Management Methods for Olive Oil Cultivation» was successfully held in Kalamata with a high attendance of participants. The seminar was co-organized by the Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation, the Institute for the Olive Tree and Subtropical Plants of Chania and the International Olive Council, and was addressed to producers and agricultural sector professionals.

The main objective of the seminar – which brought together over 120 people from various areas of Greece – was to inform and educate on modern issues of olive oil cultivation. During the seminar issues such as rationalized use of irrigation and fertilization, integrated plant protection of olive orchards, olive mill waste management, certification, trade and promotion of olive oil and table olives as well as other important agricultural sector issues were discussed.

During the field visit, the participants had the opportunity to see a demonstration of pruning and discuss problems that can occur in both trees and soil. On the last day of the program, all the participants and relevant professional bodies discussed and analysed issues related to the region and submitted proposals towards the drafting of a local strategic plan to develop and improve olive oil production in Messinia.