In the olive groves of Canena Castle, a historic olive oil company in Jaén, in the heart of Spain's olive growing region, will no longer be just technicians and tractors working. From this season, also the insects will be at work. Small, discreet and almost invisible, they will become the silent guardians of biodiversity and new allies of crops, destined to keep pests away.
With this step, the company once again positions itself at the forefront of the Spanish olive oil sector, becoming the first olive grove in the country to implement a biological control system based on beneficial insectsThis strategic progress, promoted by the CITOLIVA Olive and Olive Oil Technology Center in collaboration with Canena Castle, is realized through its pioneering service, AGRO·LIVE Natural Allies, designed to translate scientific knowledge into practical crop management.
With this approach, These beneficial insects will play a leading role in the olive groveThey will act as allies of the crop itself, with a goal as simple as it is ambitious: control major pests, reduce pesticide use, and promote a more luxuriant and balanced olive grove, strengthening its natural functioning.
For decades, the standard response to parasites such as olive fly and cottony cocciniglia It was the intensive use of pesticides. An effective short-term solution, but with well-known side effects: increasing costs, emergence of resistance, loss of biodiversity and growing regulatory and social pressure to reduce their useIn this context, Castillo de Canena's decision to take this step by investing in AGRO·LIVE Natural Allies represents a statement of leadership and a firm commitment to a new production model.
To make all this possible, Citoliva will carry out analyses and monitoring in the field to understand how beneficial insect communities evolve and what role they play in maintaining the balance of the olive grove. Through entomological studies and continuous observation, The technology center will create the necessary conditions for beneficial insects to act effectively and sustainably against pests., keeping them below the economic damage threshold and strengthening, with knowledge and planning, a control system that arises from the natural functioning of the crop.
“It's not about eliminating treatments all at once, but about reducing dependence on them and making the system smarter.”, explains Maria Dolores Jimenez, head of CitolivaThroughout the process, Citoliva technicians will analyze the presence and activity of these natural allies, conduct regular monitoring, and translate the data into practical management decisions, integrated into the farm's routine operations.
Thanks to this approach, the service AGRO·LIVE Natural Allies, developed by Citoliva, will allow a gradual reduction in the use of insecticides, resulting savings on costs and treatment timesIt will also promote the production of olives and oils free of chemical residues, increasingly appreciated by consumers, while strengthening the ecological balance of the olive grove and its ability to self-regulate against pests.
With this pioneering approach, Canena Castle – which uses the best technology for the production of oil Pieralisi – is transforming its farms into a living laboratory of innovation applied to olive groves, demonstrating that biodiversity, if managed with knowledge and strategic vision, can become a true tool for competitiveness and sustainability.
