A pilot agricultural project to grow olive trees has been launched in Kherson region. The initiative aims to test the feasibility of cultivating olives in southern Ukraine amid climate change and the post-war recovery of the agricultural sector, ProAgro Group reports.

The project is being implemented with the participation of local farmers, supported by international partners from Canada and Greece, and in cooperation with the regional authorities. At the first stage, olive saplings provided by the Greek side were planted in greenhouses. This will make it possible to assess plant adaptation to local soil and climate conditions, irrigation systems, and cultivation technologies.

According to the head of the Kherson Regional State Administration, the pilot format предусматриes limited cultivation areas, with the first results expected within the next year. If the trials prove successful, the saplings may be transplanted into open fields, paving the way for the establishment of full-scale olive orchards in the region.

The regional administration notes that the project has not only agricultural but also economic significance. It is expected to contribute to crop diversification, job creation, and investment attraction for the recovery of Kherson region following hostilities.

Experts emphasize that olive trees are a long-term crop, and their cultivation could become a new niche for southern Ukraine, provided a stable security situation and further development of irrigation infrastructure.

Previously, it was reported that scientists proposed a plant-based alternative to cocoa due to climate-related risks.