The cultivation of olives in Analiondas

The cultivation of olives is traditionally one of the main occupations of the inhabitants of the village. The huge number of olive trees which emerge in all the parts of the village, seem to be beautiful green strokes of the brush in a fantastic painting. The cultivation of olive trees has three phases: the care of the ground, the collection of olives and the production of olive oil.

The care of the ground has a major importance as it clears it from the catastrophic tares but also nourishes the ground with nutrient ingredients.

At the beginning of spring or after the collection of the olives, the inhabitants of the village trim the olive trees. The trimming of the trees aims to the increase of their productivity.

Irrigation is one of the main factors concerning the productivity of the olive trees. The villagers know that the olive trees do not need frequent irrigation in order to fructify. As a result, olive trees are found even in the most infertile parts of the village. But we shall know that irrigation is considered essential during spring as it contributes to the increase of the productivity of the trees.

The harvest of the olives begins in October and stops in February. The harvest is traditionally made with a stick. More specifically, the villagers hit the trees with these sticks and the olives fall down.

Afterwards, the villagers make the selection of the olives. They select the biggest olives which will be manufactured in several ways. For example “tsakistes” or “kolympates”. The rest of the olives will produce olive oil. In past years these olives were taken to the traditional olive mill in cotton bags. A specific quantity of oil was given to the miller. Some villagers still produce oil, but usually just to cover the needs of their families. In our days the production of oil is made in the nearest olive press.

A very effective way to multiply the olive trees is by vaccinating them. This is done by putting a wild branch of olive tree on another kind of olive trees. The fructification of the trees is not direct as each tree produces olives three years later.

In conclusion, the great number of olive trees found in the area is due to the climatologic conditions, the morphology of the ground but also to the consistent work of the inhabitants. Undoubtedly the most beautiful times of the village is during the collection of the olives.

It is known that in Cyprus and especially in Analiondas the cultivation of olives has begun in the ancient years, from the Olympic Games. There are many olive trees in Analiondas and their age is estimated to 500-800 years. Some of these trees are called “fragoelies” as they were planted during the Franks Occupation.