Preparatory works are underway for a landmark one-million olive tree cultivation project in Libya’s Tarhuna mountain region, marking the first initiative in North Africa to grow olive trees using linear pivot irrigation systems.
Officials from the Great Man-Made River Water Utilization Authority, together with Andalus Agro-Technic, recently conducted a field visit to the Wadi Tajmoud project site to assess progress and review the project’s water management and agricultural infrastructure plans. The development will deploy Valley Linear Pivot Irrigation Technology, supplied by US-based Valmont and distributed locally by Andalus Agro-Technic.
According to the project partners, the use of linear pivot systems represents a significant innovation for large-scale olive farming in the region. Valley systems, including the Valley Ranger and Universal Linear models, are designed to deliver up to 98% irrigation coverage across square and rectangular fields. Operating in straight lines and guided by GPS, ditch-fed or hose-drag technologies, the systems can reduce labour requirements by up to 50% compared to conventional irrigation methods.
Additional advantages include lower water consumption, integrated chemigation and fertigation, and remote system management, making the technology particularly well suited to water-scarce environments.
Once operational, the Tarhuna project is expected to play a key role in advancing sustainable agriculture, efficient water use, and food security, while positioning the region as a leading centre for modern olive cultivation in North Africa.
