Many farmers in Cyprus, specializing in organic farming, turned to rescued tortoises from the extinction of wild turtles to use them to fertilize olive groves. They are confident that this experimental project not only improves the yield and protects the plants from blight, but also helps combat the native invasive species.
After these turtles were saved from extermination and ceased to lay eggs, they spend time among the olive trees in the Akaki Groves organic farm of Elena Christoforou and soil specialist Nikolai Nitin. The landowners of the farm launched a project called "Kout-Kout," described in the concept of returning to the roots of traditional farming.
The turtles feed on leftovers from food provided by schoolchildren, which gives them a place for a deserved rest. The presence of birds reduces the number of pests, such as the olive fly, threatening farmers on the Mediterranean coast. Turtles, working in the olive grove, enrich the soil and reduce the amount of organic materials that enter the landfill.
Soil specialist Nikolai Nitin, who established a world record for olive oil production with high levels of polyphenols, emphasized that olive trees and yields have significantly improved with the emergence of the turtles. The new goal is to create a sustainable and diverse ecosystem capable of withstanding high temperatures and prolonged droughts.