CREA, one of the Italian partners of 4CE-MED project. CREA is performing experimental tests in collaboration with Camelina Company to study and asses the existing constrains of the mechanical harvesting of Camelina.
One of the main targets of the 4CE-MED project is to define, optimize and test under real operational conditions locally tailor-made 4CE-MED solutions to adopt camelina as a cash cover crop, assuring short term economic profit to Mediterranean farmers.
This experience represents the first comprehensive investigation of camelina seeds harvesting in Spain reporting the work productivity, harvesting costs and seed loss related to the use of a conventional combine harvester.
It aims to provide the literature with relevant information for farmers and large enterprises. Camelina is gathering more and more attention throughout the Europe. Its multipurpose oil as well as the aboveground suitability for bioenergy purposes.
However, the related value chain is still not well developed, partially because the crucial phase of the harvest has not been comprehensively investigated so far.
Findings of the test support the hypothesis that a combine harvester equipped with wheat header is suitable for camelina seed harvesting; which is particular convenient for farmers and contractor who use camelina as rotation crop in winter cereals since the same machine is valid for both crops.
Camelina: a Cash Cover Crop Enhancing water and soil conservation in MEDiterranean dry-farming systems