Harvesting citrus and olive pruning residues for energy use in Southern Italy

Traditionally, the Mediterranean basin symbolizes the geographic location in which, more than elsewhere, olive and citrus growing represent not only a crop, but also a significant source of income and employment for rural populations as well as a characteristic element in many Mediterranean landscapes. In Southern Italy, olive and citrus orchards cover about 918,000 and 145,000 hectares, respectively. The biomass produced yearly in these agricultural systems is not mobilized and used for bioenergy production. In fact, the majority of farmers consider pruning residues (branches and shoots of fruit trees) a problem rather than an opportunity and, hence, they do not take advantage from this huge available biomass potentially useful for other purposes. In this context, this study aims to analyze pruning residues harvesting sites in order to optimize the harvesting and the correct use of pruning residues generated from citrus and olive orchards. The study conducted in the framework of the project FAESI, which promote the correct use of agro-forestry biomass for the development of the local agro-energy supply-chain, is funded by Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies (MiPAAF). Preliminary results indicate that the harvester performances was quite good, however harvesting site organization requires some improvements.