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Integrated Pest Management Package on Olive
International interest

The implementation of the IPM package to reduce the use of pesticides in the olive-production industry is highly advantageous.




Semiochemical-based products (Eco-Traps) have been successfully introduced on a pilot scale in a number of olive growing countries. These trials are now being extended to cultivations in Spain, Italy and Greece; at present, all Mediterranean countries are showing a great interest in the implementation of the IPM package.

The promising results obtained should stimulate further investigations on environment-friendly methods for the control of the olive fruit fly in large-scale trials over a broader geographical range.

The implementation of the IPM package in Albania is supported by United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Pennsylvania State University, the University of California and Virginia Tech are working in close collaboration with the Albanian institutions to promote the production of organic olives for exportation. The olive oil analysis was performed at laboratories accredited by the International Olive Oil Council (IOOC), in collaboration with specialized structures in Greece and Italy.