Izmir, Türkiye – 7-9 April 2025 – In a strategic effort to transform olive production systems under the pressures of climate change, the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye, the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM), and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA - Türk İşbirliği ve Koordinasyon Ajansı), successfully conducted a regional training program on Digital and Climate Smart Olive Farming.
Experts from Türkiye, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt participated in the program, which featured advanced modules on precision irrigation, smart pest and disease monitoring, soil health management, and remote sensing applications. Hands-on demonstrations showcased Türkiye’s innovative digital farming platforms and climate-resilient practices, developed and implemented by TAGEM research institutions and supported through TİKA’s cooperation framework.
The workshop emphasized the integration of digital tools such as IoT sensors, satellite imagery, drone-based diagnostics, and AI-driven decision-support systems to enhance olive productivity, reduce input use, and improve resilience to climate variability. Participants explored real-time farm data platforms for optimizing irrigation scheduling, early warning systems for pest outbreaks, and blockchain-based traceability to boost market access and consumer trust.
This initiative is part of a broader regional push to build an integrated Mediterranean olive innovation ecosystem, where technology transfer, field training, and cross-border collaboration converge to secure the future of olive farming. Outcomes of the workshop included the development of a roadmap for digital transition in the olive value chain, the establishment of regional demonstration plots, and enhanced alignment on climate-smart practices among participating countries.
