Ajloun, Sept. 20 (Petra) - The Agriculture Directorate of Ajloun called on local farmers on Sunday to follow proper agricultural practices during the upcoming olive harvest to ensure optimal crop yield and high-quality olive oil.

Directorate Director Sitan Sarhan told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the harvest typically runs from mid-October through November or early December, depending on fruit ripeness, weather, and olive variety. He advised farmers to monitor fruit color changes from green to purple or black and consult agricultural specialists to determine the ideal picking time.

Sarhan outlined guidelines for the harvest: - Equipment and transport: Use clean tarps, hand combs, and ventilated plastic crates for transport. Avoid plastic bags, which trap heat and cause olives to spoil rapidly.

- Harvesting methods: Pick olives by hand or light combs to protect trees and fruit, avoiding heavy beating of branches.

- Sorting: Keep fallen ground olives separate from freshly picked ones, as ground fruit degrades oil quality.

- Pressing and storage: Transport harvested olives to presses within 24 to 36 hours to prevent fermentation and oxidation. Store the resulting oil in clean, airtight, dark containers kept in cool places away from direct heat and light.

Sarhan urged farmers to collaborate with agricultural teams and apply specialized technical advice throughout the season to maximize product quality.

//Petra// HA