Explaining how they apply the principles of regenerative agriculture in their management was the main objective of the event promoted on Saturday, April 29, by Quinta do Freixo, located in the interior of the municipality of Loulé.
The program began with a guided tour by Luís Silva, managing partner of the company, accompanied by Gustavo Alés, president of the ALE-JAB association and a specialist in holistic management and regenerative agriculture, who collaborates with Quinta do Freixo in the implementation of these principles.
«Holistic management is based on using cattle as a tool for environmental regeneration to try to increase the photosynthetic productivity of pastures and crops. The goal is to increase the profitability of the land, imitating nature», explain those responsible for the farm.
To fulfill this objective, Quinta do Freixo currently has around 1000 Campaniça sheep, raised in a certified organic production regime.
Throughout the afternoon, participants were able not only to see this herd live, but also to access an area where it is already possible to see the practical results of the experiments carried out.
This has been a learning curve with a very positive outcome for Quinta do Freixo and one that “can serve as a reference for other projects in Portugal and beyond”, says Gustavo.
Allan Savory, creator of the holistic management method, was also very pleased with the work carried out at Quinta do Freixo.
Allan is founder of Savory Institute, whose purpose is “to make the world aware of the importance of holistic management, to save civilization”, through courses, events, among other educational initiatives.
One of the last events organized by the entity took place precisely at Quinta do Freixo, from the 25th to the 29th of April.
“They were very pleasant days, because we gathered people from 10 countries, and it was very good to share knowledge. This sharing is very important, we have to help each other and collaborate”, emphasizes the expert.
According to Allan, the institute he founded “has achieved incredible progress”.
In fact, the numbers are impressive. With the large-scale implementation of the holistic management advocated by the Savory Institute, 21 million hectares of land worldwide have already been regenerated.
In addition to Allan Savory, Saturday's event was attended by Daniela Ibarra-Howell, CEO of the Savory Institute, Joaquim Castelão Rodrigues, regional director of the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, João Santana, from the Regional Directorate of Agriculture, Jamila Madeira, PS deputy, José Carlos Rolo, mayor of Albufeira, among other personalities.
Attendees had the opportunity to attend the documentary «Ganado o Desierto», winner of several international awards, which, until then, had only been officially shown on the day of its world premiere, in Mérida.
Before this film was shown, dinner was served at the Quinta do Freixo restaurant, which included homemade lamb stew.
Photo credits: Mesh Communication / Leandro França
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