Zadar County’s activities in the project are related to the start of propagation material production for native olive varieties and the creation of the conditions necessary for the cultivation of virus-free genotypes of rare, endangered native varieties. We embarked on this project because we recognized the problem, namely the availability of healthy grapevine propagation material of rare native varieties and, with it, their dissemination and acceptance by producers.
The long history of olive cultivation in the Zadar region has led to the development of numerous olive varieties, which have been supplemented and modified over time, which is not reflected in the map of native varieties in RH.
The leading varieties, oblica, drobnica, and krvavica, as well as others, were supplemented by other accompanying varieties, which were mainly used as pollinators. These were introduced from other olive-growing regions on the one hand, and on the other hand, they arose spontaneously as wild olives. With the help of producers, these varieties spread throughout the area due to their economic value (regular fertility, resistance to drought and/or fruit size, etc.) and continued to multiply through grafting or other vegetative propagation methods.
The olive variety is the basis for the production of authentic olive oil, as it is the main factor influencing the composition and quality of the fruit and, therefore, the oil.
In addition, local varieties and wild olives are invaluable in terms of biodiversity and are sources of genetic diversity. In order to create the conditions for seed production and to evaluate and preserve native olive varieties, we have decided to establish a plantation where we will grow (plant) native olive varieties from Zadar County. In the plantation, we will monitor their development and suitability for oil production, and create the conditions for plum production.
The specific objective of the project is to protect the Central European environment, while its general objective is to develop a biodiversity protection plan that will help raise collective awareness of communities that manage biodiversity.
The project started on June 1, 2024, with a planned duration of 30 months, and involves 12 project partners from 8 countries: Italy, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Austria. In addition to Zadar County, the Kamenjak public institution from Croatia is also participating in the project as a partner.
The total budget of the project is €2,353,468.34, of which 80%, or €1,882,774.67, is co-financed by the ERDF.
The budget of Zadar County is €179,890.00, of which €143,912.00 is co-financed by the ERDF and €35,978.00 by Zadar County.