The UNIA and Grupo Oleícola Jaén showcase the synergy between olive growing and education in the university setting

February 22, 2024 The International University of Andalusia (UNIA) and Grupo Oleícola Jaén, through the Oleic Classroom Innova, have organized the CORIANA® training day; genetic improvement, a tool for the future, at the Antonio Machado Headquarters in Baeza (Jaén). During the day, which has been supported by Olint magazine and Vilcon strategic consultants Cristóbal Sánchez, Andalusia delegate – Agromillora Iberia Juan Parras, Agronomic advisor and manager of Agroquímicos Parras Cintero; Juan Vilar, director of the Oleic Classroom Innova and CEO of Vilcon; Remigio Morillo, Operational Director of Grupo Oleícola Jaén; Juan Armenteros, agri-food journalist from RTVA, who moderated the interventions, and José Manuel Castro, director of the Antonio Machado Headquarters of the UNIA, who was in charge of its presentation, participated.

The objective of the event was to address the new variety for hedge olive groves: Coriana®, which has been genetically improved and represents a tool for the future of the olive sector

Coriana is a variety derived from Arbosana and Koroneiki, suitable for olive cultivation in hedge plantations, possessing vegetative and productive parameters that meet the required model: low vigor, upright growth, dense canopy, and early entry into production, in the second-third year. In his speech, the director of the Antonio Machado Headquarters recalled that “the Oleic Classroom Innova is the result of the agreement signed between the International University of Andalusia and Grupo Oleícola Internacional.” He added that it is destined to be “a reference in the interpretation of olive oil and all the activity that the world of oil has in the province of Jaén.”

For their part, the speakers conveyed their knowledge to the attendees about this new olive variety and other aspects of production, consumption, prices, or new plantations. Thus, Cristóbal Sánchez presented the new variety for super-intensive olive groves, highlighting its virtues for projects seeking to achieve the maximum productive potential of their operation. And Juan Parras shared his experience in planting Coriana, as he is one of the pioneers in conducting olive trials with this variety in Extremadura. In his turn, Juan Vilar conducted an analysis of olive oil production, prices, and consumption, providing data of great interest about the current panorama and future predictions. Finally, Remigio Morillo focused his presentation on how olive oil mills must adapt technologically to the framework of new plantations. A project that has already been carried out in Oleícola Jaén, whose mill is already prepared for these future challenges.

This meeting, primarily aimed at the olive sector, served for UNIA and Grupo Oleícola Jaén to showcase the synergy between olive growing and education in the university setting.

The Oleic Classroom Innova for Innovation and Dissemination in Olive Growing and Olive Oil Technology is a tool for the development of activities in teaching, cultural promotion, transfer, innovation, entrepreneurship, and dissemination of knowledge in the olive sector and olive culture. The event is the second activity organized by the Classroom since its creation at the end of 2023, as previously, in November, the

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tasting Day was scheduled. Aromas and flavors of the new harvest 2023/2024.