The project aims to evaluate the potential of using olive pomace, a by-product of olive oil extraction, as a feed resource for small ruminants in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. Conducted in the Drôme and Ardèche departments, the project will begin with a detailed characterisation of the local resource in relation to the extraction processes used in olive mills. This will allow the assessment of its nutritional quality and potential for improvement. Feeding trials on commercial sheep and/or goat farms will then analyse the effects of incorporating olive pomace into the animals' diets on their technical and economic performance.
The overarching goal of the project is to mobilise producers, mills, farmers, and support structures within a regional initiative. This initiative is part of a circular economy and food autonomy approach to addressing climate challenges. The results of the project will lay the groundwork for a sustainable, local strategy that can be replicated in other olive-growing regions.
Project manager
