A delegation of five (5) participants from GAL XLOKK participated in a five-day programme in Foligno, region of Umbria. The local delegation included the LAG’s manager together with a board member and 3 students emanating from the Institute of Earth Systems, UOM. 

The main aim of this visit was to organise an exchange of information, study visits, meetings and workshops with local producers and schools, about the olive oil sector.

The visit is part of a trans-national project involving a research aimed at carrying DNA and molecular testing on the Maltese autochthonous varieties of olives dating back centuries.  The recovery of these autochthonous varieties of olives would eventually help regenerate olive oil production derived from these varieties.

Project partners: – GAL Xlokk Foundation and Institute of Earth Systems (University of Malta) from Malta; GAL Valle Umbra e Sibellini (local action group from Umbria.

Italian Research partners – Consiglio Nazionale di Ricerche (Istituto per i Sistemi Agricoli e Forestali del Mediterraneo and Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources); Laboratorio di Scienze Sperimentali.