Converting olive groves in Serpa: the SAGRI story
SAGRI is converting traditional olive groves into hedgerow groves in Serpa (Portugal): it started with 100 hectares and plans another 120. The drip irrigation was carried out by Magos.
SAGRI – Sociedade Agrícola has a long tradition in farming. In 2019, this Serpa-based company decided to restructure its investments, and its olive groves were modernised: SAGRI chose to convert its traditional olive groves.
Why hedgerow olives
«It was increasingly hard to hire labour for traditional olive groves, and the hedgerow system reduces the need for labour as much as possible», explains Bruno Barbosa, SAGRI's general foreman.
Three estates, 350 hectares
The olive groves are spread over three estates: Herdade das Melrinas, Herdade de Santa Justa and Herdade do Barrocão. «We started by converting 100 hectares, at 4 x 1.25 m, with Arbequina as the chosen variety. Once the 2023/2024 season is over, we will go ahead with another 120 hectares. In total, SAGRI has 350 ha of olive groves», says Bruno Barbosa.
Drip irrigation by Magos
The drip irrigation work was carried out by Magos Irrigation Systems. «For the first 100 hectares we hired an outside company to design the planting, but we won't do that for this new conversion. We were very satisfied with Magos and we fully trust their work», says Bruno Barbosa.
