THE CAROB, “A REAL ALTERNATIVE FOR THE SIERRA DE CÁDIZ”
Last Thursday 4 April 2025, The SCA Los Remedios Picasat was present at the XII Technical Conference on “Promotion and Improvement in Carob Cultivation”, organized by the Innovative Companies of La Garrofa association (EIG), held at Cajamar's facilities at the “Las Palmerillas” experimental station., in the Almeria municipality of El Ejido.
During this event we were able to see the boom that carob cultivation is taking., not only because of the quality of the presentations and speakers but also because of the number of people who participated in the event, more than 150.
There were various aspects that were treated as they were.:
- Varietal evolution and technological improvement.
- Main results of the “Querat” operational group.
- Nursery management of carob seedlings.
- Agronomic characteristics of the carob varieties grown on the island of Mallorca.
- Environmental benefits of carob, regarding CO sequestration2.
- Healthy aspects of using carob in human nutrition.
The SCA Los Remedios has been, taking part in work meetings, both with the EIG and in the Querat operational group, highlighting the most important aspects to work on so that the cultivation of carob is profitable for the farmer, due to its magnificent beneficial qualities not only as a healthy food but also from an environmental point of view.
Today days, thanks to these work meetings, We have been able to advance in aspects as important as:
1. Development of the nursery plant with known patterns and varieties, with minimal guarantees.
In collaboration with prestigious nurseries, Today we have a perfect plant to design a commercial plantation, agronomically viable and with the production of a carob with a seed yield and organoleptic qualities demanded by the industrial sector.
2. Knowledge of varieties and patterns.
Currently we design the plantations by arranging the female plants and their hermaphrodite pollinators strategically arranged to guarantee correct pollination..
As female varieties we use: SDC, Duraio and Sayalonga.
As hermaphrodite varieties we use: corsage, Valdellos, 13P and 14P.
Regarding patterns, We were clear that we needed a robust root, with the ability to adapt to limestone soils, with vigor and low water needs. Therefore all the material used today, They come from seeds of the Rojal variety.
We are currently working to obtain a plant material that is native to the Sierra de Cádiz..
The distribution of the carob tree is centered throughout the Mediterranean arc and specifically in Spain it is located along the entire Mediterranean coast, from Portugal to Tarragona.
Regarding the use and employment of the carob, does not focus only on locust bean extract as a natural thickener from the seed, but also of the various applications that carob flour has as a healthy ingredient used in catering..
There are many benefits of carob, as a food rich in iron, in magnesium, in protein, low sodium, rich in sugars, as antioxidant, rich in pinitol, sin gluten, etc.
Therefore, we are facing a crop that:
- Due to its geographical distribution, specifically the province of Cádiz, we are in their natural habitat.
- Due to its adaptation to desert climates, with high efficiency in water use, It can be part of agricultural diversification in mountain areas or with limitations in water use.
- Agronomically it is a crop that is not very demanding for its management..
- Commercially there are more and more fields of application, therefore, Offering the industry a quality product is essential.
- The SCA The Remedies Picasat, has an experience of more than 10 years in the commercialization of carob, so you know the agents that intervene in said chain.
- We make available to our partners and to any farmer who wants to be part of this project:
- The best plant on the market.
- All necessary supplies: tutors, rubber bands, protectors, phytosanitary, etc.
- The best technical support for the design and monitoring of your plantation
- The marketing of your jug 100%.