Olivar De Aloe, SL

Initially it was a traditional olive grove crop, in which phytosanitary products were worked and used, sometimes disproportionately (not even a field weed). Given that there were agro-environmental aids at that time, that there was space between the olive trees, for the commercial exit of olive oil and for the sustainability of the agricultural system, the possibility of changing the production system and diversifying the product was seen. A product was chosen that had great market potential such as aloe vera. Not because of the implantation of aloe as such, but because of the change from traditional to ecological, agroforestry exploitation has changed radically. It is practically not necessary to introduce inputs, achieving the sustainability of the agricultural system and obtaining greater profitability, reducing operating costs and obtaining a product of higher quality and greater added value in the market. Biodiversity has increased exponentially. Before, with pesticides, there was not so much diversity of insects, birds, etc. The rabbit is a species that, although it helps to fertilize the land, produces specific damage to the crop because it spoils the aloe plant. The mole damages the roots, but it is being controlled naturally by having more reptiles (snakes, lizards), raptors, etc., that control this rodent. The system is balancing. Defective sheets that are not sold (commercially have no value, because of their size, malformations, etc.), and in this operation experimental tests are being done by crushing the leaves, macerating them and diluting them in low concentration in water, and serves as a repellent ( for the fly), for the fruits it is thrown on the tree and they are protected for longer, and at very low doses it is also used as a fertilizer.

• Ponds have been created between the crop and now amphibians such as the gallipato are seen, many more partridges, badgers, turons, both day and night raptors, lizards, snakes, etc.
• A much more sustainable, self-regulated and economically more viable crop has been achieved. This year, for example, there will be no olive harvest due to lack of water and excessive heat during the flowering season and, thanks to aloe, it will be possible to obtain a yield for the farm thanks to this other crop that coexists with the olive grove.
• Nest boxes for raptors have been placed to control rodents, to minimize damage by moles, the main threat.
• "Hotels" have also been placed for insects (olive sticks, with holes for them to raise wild bees, spiders, etc.).
• Sheep is used to control the herbaceous stratum, if necessary. In addition, livestock and fertilize the land.

The cultivation of aloe is chosen mainly for two reasons: for the economic and market potential, and for the few requirements that the crop demands, especially water. Aid was obtained by the Provincial Council of Jaén for alternative crops and agro-environmental aids of the Junta de Andalucía to change the olive grove from conventional to ecological system. It is important to note that knowledge of the crop and the market is required. Description of used technics during establishing of agroforestry systems The olive grove is within a traditional planting frame of 12 x 12 meters, so, as indicated above, there was space to test an alternative crop that coexisted with the olive grove, since it does not compete with the olive tree for water or nutritional resources being that the root system very superficial. The separation of aloes is approximately one meter, between plants of the same line and between lines. For the initial implantation, a machine was used to make ridges. Thus, no machinery is used since it is all manual. Threats/Challenges

• Aloe vera has enormous potential, but it is still an unknown product, especially Spain, having greater demand in Central European countries, where, in addition to cosmetics and pharmacology, it is consumed as food. Even fresh leaves are sold in supermarkets in other European countries and not yet in Spain (only in some organic stores). Advertising campaigns are needed to show the consumer the benefits of their consumption for health Campaigns should be made by the Administration to value this crop and be known by the population. There are also deceptive and fraudulent products on the market that, announcing that they carry aloe vera, do not actually carry it, so that the consumer also feels disappointed by the supposed properties of the product they are acquiring.

It has gone from an unsustainable olive cultivation in which the land was also underutilized, to a crop that combines tree elements with aloe vera, in a totally ecological way, which demands labor and in which virtually no requirement is required of inputs. The profitability of the operation is much higher, and the operating costs are relatively low. With a change of mentality you can reach a much more sustainable and more profitable crop. Future plans In another plot, of the same group of companies, but located in another location, a project called “edible forest” will be developed. It is an abandoned plot (wasteland) in which it is intended to implement an agro-livestock system, planting vegetation in three strata (arboreal, shrubby and herbaceous) and with cattle (chickens, pigs) self-regulated and self-sufficient. Horticultural, fruit and trees that act as windbreaks, protect against sunstroke. It is to recreate a forest that is intended for food production. (More info at https://bosquescomestibles.es/)

Organic farming courses have been taken, and from olive groves, aloe. Certain business notions are also necessary to take proper management of the exploitation and marketing and new technologies to promote your product in the market. It is important to partner with other producers to share experiences, new knowledge, face new challenges, etc. Farmer recommendation: “Agriculture is time and patience and you want to focus on it to be sustainable. Time implies experience. Once the balance has been achieved, the system regulates itself, and practically there is no need to intervene, but instead to collect the product. At 10 or 12 years, the aloe vera plants must be renewed, but in the meantime the plant is regenerated, taking about 50 new stems / year. Keep in mind that in one hectare they can take up to 10,000 plants (the most normal is about 7,000 / ha).”