- Agrotecnio and UdL secure support from the Department of Agriculture to carry out a demonstration project to study and promote this oilseed crop.
- This activity is co-financed by the EU through intervention 7201 of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027.
Camelina (Camelina sativa) is a drought-tolerant, short-cycle oilseed crop well adapted to Mediterranean dryland systems. It is emerging as a viable alternative for fields with access to supplementary irrigation. The oil and meal derived from camelina have great industrial potential due to their high content of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, and protein. Although its implementation in irrigated systems in Catalonia is still not widely explored, this new demonstration project, funded by the Department of Agriculture, aims to prove its feasibility by applying irrigation at key growth stages.
Camelina cultivation does not require special machinery, but farmers remain hesitant due to a lack of knowledge about its characteristics and its relative productivity compared to other crops. Despite this, it offers several advantages, including its ability to germinate in dry conditions thanks to the mucilage it exudes, which helps retain soil moisture and promotes root establishment.
Regarding productivity, in dryland fields, yields can range between 600 and 2,400 kg per hectare, with an average yield of around 1,500 kg per hectare. Production variability mainly depends on spring rainfall patterns and maximum temperatures between flowering and physiological maturity. Applying irrigation at strategic moments, such as at the beginning of flowering, could increase productivity by up to 25%, ensuring a profitable and sustainable harvest.
Additionally, camelina likely requires less water than other winter crops and has a low fertilizer demand, potentially benefiting from organic fertilizers such as pig or cattle slurry. Its shorter cycle compared to winter cereals and rapeseed allows for more flexible sowing dates and minimizes competition with other crops.
Camelina also stands out for its natural resistance to pests and diseases, reducing the need for pesticide applications, which lowers production costs and promotes a more sustainable agricultural model.
This demonstration project will be carried out in different fields across Catalonia with various water allocations and irrigation systems (dryland, flood irrigation, and sprinkler irrigation) to assess its viability and promote its integration into crop rotations.
With this initiative, the aim is to address the need to adapt agriculture to climate change and water scarcity by offering farmers an efficient and profitable alternative to ensure the sustainability of irrigated farming systems in Catalonia.
The project is funded under Intervention 7161 – Aid for the implementation of demonstration projects of the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-Agri) within the framework of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027.
