Visit to Tunisia

KOPERATTIVA PRODUTTURI TAZ-ZEBBUG LIMITED

REPORT OF VISIT TO TUNISIA

GENETIC RESOURCES PROJECT UNDER MEASURE 10.2.

1 TO 6 DECEMBER, 2024

1. The Delegation of the KPZ was composed by Jimmy Magro, President and Antoine Psaila, member of the management committee.
2. The objective of the visit was to open lines of cooperation with the institutions involved in the olive sector in Tunisia and to establish cooperation in relation to the Genetic Resources project being undertaken by the KPZ.
3. The preparations for the visit were managed by Dr. Sonda Laroussi of Olea Counseils (OC) and were based on the directions of the KPZ. OC is a partner in the Genetic Resources project being undertaken under Measure 10.2.
4. For the purpose of the visit it was necessary to use a hired car due to the long distances between Tunis, Sousse, Sfax and Mateur. The cost of the hired car will be presented as additional cost due to its exceptional case.
5. On arrival into Tunis, the delegation visited the Science Park of Tunis to take part in an event organised by the Permaculture Association. The event was an olive tasting event and exhibition of agricultural products produced by artisans from around Tunis.  Dr. Sonda Laroussi made a detailed presentation about the Tunisian olive varieties and production of olive oil, which was then followed by olive oil tasting session.
6. On Monday 2^nd December, the delegation met the President of the National Olives Board of Tunisia. The KPZ delegation presented the genetic resources project and requested that the project can be used for bilateral cooperation in genetic resources.  Both sides discussed bilateral cooperation in the olive sector and how Malta could make use of the experience and know-how of the Tunisian experts.  The President proposed that the Government of Malta should make a request through the diplomatic channels in order to establish a MoU for cooperation.  The KPZ delegation expressed its interest in the regional olive oil Academy that is managed by the NOBT, and the Director stated that this is open for all nationalities, including persons from Malta.  Following the meeting with the President, the delegation was shown around the Academy and the olive oil shop which formed part of the Academy.

7.1.       On Tuesday 3^rd December, the delegation met the owner of Fendri olive grove and olive mill.  A tour of the vast olive grove was made and a discussion on the olive cultivation of native cultivars ensued.  This first part of the visit was followed by a visit to the olive mill, where the olive oil was still being produced due to the late harvest in Tunisia.  The olive mill was partly designed by Mr. Slim Fendri and manufactured by Alfa Laval olive mill producers.  It covers an area of more than 1600 square meters and has ample space for the storage of olives and olive oil.  The company also has invested to be able to re-cycle the by products of the olive oil processing in order to reduce waste from its production. i.e. Use of the olive hard stone as fuel for the furnace.

7.2.       In the afternoon, the delegation met the Director General of the Institute of Olives of Sfax and discussed the genetic resources project being carried out in Malta, and how this scientific research can be compared to studies carried out by the Institute.  This was a very interesting proposal and both parties agreed to make follow up action on this topic, especially if the IOC agrees to undertake a workshop in Malta about the genetic resources.  Furthermore, it was also agreed to exchange scientific papers and also to cooperate in EU funded projects in relation to the olive sector.

7.3.       The final event for this day was a visit to the Laboratory of Olea Counseils, the panel tasting facilities and offices of the company.  The discussions focused on the work which the company does in the olive and olive oil sector, its international participation in olive tasting events, and the training which can be organised in Tunisia or Malta.  It was agreed that the KPZ may use the olive oil testing facilities and also to organise courses for Maltese olive growers.

8.1.       On Wednesday the delegation visited the Superior Institute of Biotechnology of Sfax which is an educational institution with more than 1500 students.  It has a strong department for the study of the olive sector and in fact it has a small olive mill of about 50 kgs per hour in order to train future millers.  The Institute has many laboratories since it is mainly a scientific institution and also has the facilities for olive oil testing.  It was agreed to cooperate in EU funded projects as soon as an opportunity arises.

8.2.       The delegation took part in a workshop organised by the Olive Institute of Sfax and the IOC about the Chemlali cultivar and its olive oil.  The speakers presented very detailed studies about the research carried out in several countries to compare the genetic resources of the Chemlali cultivar, and the chemical and sensory properties of the olive oil produced from the Chemlali cultivar.

8.3.       In the afternoon, the KPZ delegation met the Director and several staff members of the Organic Institute of Tunisia.  The positive results in organic agriculture were presented to the delegation and a discussion ensued how Tunisia may be able to support Malta in organic cultivation.  The Institute informed us that this support can be made following an official request by the Government of Malta, and the Tunisian side was willing, ready and able to provide such support.  The Tunisian side expressed their success in organic farming and how they have built their human capacity with researchers and experts having Ph.D. level of education.  The Institute has been very active in encouraging farmers to convert to organic farming and they have had a great success.  The KPZ delegation agreed to relate this information to the Government of Malta so that this offer of cooperation is acted upon.

9. The KPZ delegation visited A &S Olive Mill on Thursday 5^th December. It was a long journey of more than two hours since the olive grove and mill were located in Mateur.  The company is owned by two sisters who have received their education in Tunisia and abroad.  The two sisters had prepared a modest lunch based on olive oil and this topic was discussed in detail during the lunch.  The KPZ delegation stated that there was great need in Malta to organise olive oil recipes cooking in order to encourage the use of extra virgin olive oil.  It was agreed that this idea could be followed up with a joint event in Malta.  The KPZ was given a tour of the olive mill and the olive grove which was mainly based on the Chatoui, Sayeli and Arbequine cultivars.  Following the end of the discussions, the delegation returned to Tunis.

10.1.    During the last day of the visit, the KPZ delegation visited the Gene Bank of Tunisia.  The meeting was held with the Director and a number of highly graduated staff members, who were responsible for various sectors within the gene bank.  The work of the gene bank had commenced around 2007 and since then the bank has been able to build a large database of genetic resources in all sectors of agriculture and biodiversity.  The KPZ delegation informed the Tunisian side about the genetic resources project and how there could be cooperation to compare and further analyse the research results in both countries.  They stated this is very important and they were ready to cooperate with Malta and also to enter into EU funded projects to enhance their cooperation.  It was emphasised that this cooperation had to be channelled through the diplomatic channels, and that the Bank fell under the Ministry of the Environment of Tunisia.

10.2.    Our last meeting was held at Tunis Airport with Ms. Sawssen M’rad, the President of the Women’s Association of Olive Oil, a holder of a Ph.D. in olive oil from the University of Jaen (Spain).  Ms. M’rad is a Consultant in Olive oil Tasting and is an international olive oil tasting expert.  The KPZ delegation informed Ms. M’rad about our interest in the genetic resources through the project being funded by the EU in Malta and that this can foster cooperation with Tunisia, and also that there was the possibility to set up the Women’s Section within the Cooperative.  We would be highly interested to cooperate on the technical aspects, education, health and promotion of olive oil and any other topic within the olive sector.

There could be opportunities for joint projects, even through EU calls applicable to both Malta and Tunisia.  Both sides agreed to follow up the meeting in order to cooperate together.

Jimmy Magro

President