Summary

The proposed travel, linked to the RIRDC Corporate Program ‘New Plant Products’, is aimed at advancing the recently completed RIRDC project UWS 20A to the next step in development and application of bioremediation process for recycling olive waste. This will be achieved by developing international collaborative research with scientists from the Mediterranean olive growing region. At a preliminary meeting with these researchers in October 2007 it was decided to hold an International Round Table Conference (IRTC) on strategic planning of collaborative research as part of the 4th Bioremediation Conference in Chania. IRTC will attempt to source funding for research on olive waste management. UWS20A project demonstrated that olive husk wastes can be successfully converted into compost by using low cost bioremediation process. The next phase is the production of humified compost which will amend soil and significantly impact on improving soil health and conservation of nutrients and carbon. Consequently, the trees are able to reach their maximum potential in olive production and quality of olive oil. The major benefit of this travel to the Australian olive industry is the potential to apply an efficient and economical olive mill solid waste management technology. Such technology will also advance our knowledge of microbial activity during the humification of compost. The outcome will be the ability to convert liabilities (waste) into assets (value-added compost) thus contributing to sustainable and responsible farming practices. This can be achieved in a relatively short period with an international collaborative effort that will benefit the Australian olive industry.

Program

New and Emerging Plant Industries

Research Organisation

Western Sydney University

Objective Summary

The proposed travel, linked to the RIRDC Corporate Program ‘New Plant Products’, is aimed at advancing the recently completed RIRDC project UWS 20A to the next step in development and application of bioremediation process for recycling olive waste. This will be achieved by developing international collaborative research with scientists from the Mediterranean olive growing region. At a preliminary meeting with these researchers in October 2007 it was decided to hold an International Round Table Conference (IRTC) on strategic planning of collaborative research as part of the 4th Bioremediation Conference in Chania. IRTC will attempt to source funding for research on olive waste management. UWS20A project demonstrated that olive husk wastes can be successfully converted into compost by using low cost bioremediation process. The next phase is the production of humified compost which will amend soil and significantly impact on improving soil health and conservation of nutrients and carbon. Consequently, the trees are able to reach their maximum potential in olive production and quality of olive oil. The major benefit of this travel to the Australian olive industry is the potential to apply an efficient and economical olive mill solid waste management technology. Such technology will also advance our knowledge of microbial activity during the humification of compost. The outcome will be the ability to convert liabilities (waste) into assets (value-added compost) thus contributing to sustainable and responsible farming practices. This can be achieved in a relatively short period with an international collaborative effort that will benefit the Australian olive industry.