Evoo

At Aiosa, we apply Regenerative Agriculture and Permaculture techniques in our crops.

Regenerative Agriculture and Permaculture are approaches to agriculture that aim to restore and improve the health of the soil, biodiversity, and natural ecosystem cycles. It is based on the understanding that agriculture can be a tool for regenerating natural systems, not just for producing food.

Regenerative agriculture focuses on building healthy soils that can retain water and nutrients and, in turn, support plant growth and animal health. Regenerative agriculture is an approach to agriculture that is based on the understanding that natural systems are complex and interconnected. Therefore, to restore and improve the health of the soil, biodiversity, and natural ecosystem cycles, it is necessary to adopt sustainable practices and work in harmony with nature.

One key practice in regenerative agriculture is the use of cover crops. Cover crops are crops that are planted in the soil between main crops to protect and improve the soil. These plants can fix nitrogen, increase soil organic matter, and reduce soil erosion. Additionally, cover crops can also be used as feed for livestock.

Another common practice in regenerative agriculture is the production and use of compost. Composting is a natural process in which microorganisms break down organic matter and produce a nutrient-rich natural fertilizer. By using compost instead of chemical fertilizers, soil health is improved, and dependence on external inputs is reduced.

Soil microbiology is also an important aspect of regenerative agriculture. The soil contains a large number of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that play a fundamental role in the breakdown of organic matter and the release of nutrients for plants. By working in harmony with soil microbiology, regenerative farmers can improve soil health and increase crop productivity.

Self-production of natural fertilizers is also common in regenerative agriculture. Farmers can use different techniques to produce fertilizers from organic materials, such as vermicomposting, where worms break down organic matter and produce nutrient-rich fertilizer.

Permaculture is also related to regenerative agriculture. Permaculture is a design approach based on nature’s principles to create sustainable systems. In permaculture, the goal is to create productive systems that are self-sufficient and harmoniously integrated with the environment. Regenerative agriculture and permaculture share many principles, such as diversity, interconnectedness, and sustainability.

In our quest for healthy and productive soils, we work hard to promote soil microbiology.

We use regenerative agriculture techniques that seek to enhance natural soil processes, rather than treating it as a simple support for crop growth. To achieve this, we incorporate organic amendments such as compost and sheep manure, which provide organic matter and nutrients to the soil and promote microbial activity. In addition, we reproduce beneficial microorganisms using the technique of wheat bran and molasses fermentation, known as “EM” (Effective Microorganisms). These microorganisms are subsequently introduced into the soil, allowing them to proliferate and contribute to creating a healthy and balanced microbial ecosystem. By promoting soil microbiology, we are improving the quality and quantity of nutrients available to the olive trees, resulting in increased productivity and better harvest quality. Additionally, we are helping to create a healthy and balanced environment, where beneficial microorganisms compete with pathogens, reducing the need for pesticides.

At our farm, we prepare compost by shredding all the pruning residues and mixing them with sheep manure. We then let the compost sit for a year before applying it to our soil. This composting process helps to break down the organic material and create a nutrient-rich fertilizer for our olive trees.

By using this compost, we are able to improve the soil structure and fertility, leading to healthier trees and a higher yield. Additionally, composting our pruning residues and manure helps to reduce waste and promote sustainability on our farm.

Composting is a natural and sustainable way to enrich the soil and support plant growth. It’s a great way to recycle organic matter and create a valuable resource for our farm. We take pride in our commitment to using environmentally friendly practices and are grateful for the benefits that composting provides.

The use of permanent vegetative covers under our olive trees is becoming increasingly common among farmers who are aware of the importance of caring for the soil and the environment in which they work. In addition to being a sustainable and environmentally friendly technique, it offers numerous benefits for the crop and the landscape.

When we use permanent vegetative covers, we achieve a landscape similar to a spanish “dehesa,” in which olive trees are combined with other plants that grow around them. This not only creates a beautiful scene but also promotes biodiversity, housing a large amount of life that helps maintain the ecological
balance of the environment.

Furthermore, these permanent vegetative covers protect the soil from erosion, improve its structure and fertility, and reduce water evaporation. This promotes moisture retention in the soil and reduces the need for irrigation, resulting in water savings and greater efficiency in the use of resources.

On the other hand, these permanent vegetative covers also have positive effects on the quality of the olive oil we produce. By reducing erosion and improving soil structure, the development of olive tree roots is favored, resulting in healthier and higher-quality fruit, which is reflected in the taste and properties of the oil we produce.

In summary, the use of permanent vegetative covers under our olive trees is a beneficial practice for both the crop and the environment, promoting biodiversity and creating a beautiful landscape. It shows that it is possible to combine agricultural production with environmental care and landscape preservation.

Regenerative agriculture is a way of farming that seeks the health of the soil, crops, and ecosystems in general. In our effort to apply this approach on our olive farm, we have set out to self-produce our own organic fertilizers.

To do this, we use various fermentation and maceration techniques of plants, seaweeds, and rock flours, combined with beneficial microorganisms that promote soil microbiological activity and improve nutrient availability for plants. These natural fertilizers are rich in essential nutrients for olives, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as other elements necessary for good crop development, such as calcium, magnesium, or zinc. By using these organic fertilizers, we are contributing to creating a healthy and balanced environment for our olives, avoiding the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers that can be harmful to the soil and the health of crops. Additionally, we are generating our own resources, avoiding dependency on external products and promoting sustainability and self-sufficiency on our farm. In short, the self-production of organic fertilizers is a practice that allows us to take care of our crops, soil, and the environment, while also promoting autonomy and regeneration on our olive farm.