EU project FruitDiv reveals the potential of wild fruit trees for new economic opportunities
Sarajevo, (Fena) – The Faculty of Forestry in Sarajevo is participating in the European project FruitDiv from the Horizon 2020 program, together with 26 institutions from 12 countries. The project is researching the genetic diversity of wild fruit trees in order to improve sustainable agriculture and reduce the use of pesticides.
The project coordinator for BiH, Professor Dalibor Ballian, points out that the large amount of material collected in the field is currently being analyzed in four European laboratories. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the team is also working on collecting traditional knowledge and recipes on the use of wild fruit, which could result in a special recipe book.
Ballian emphasizes that wild fruit has greater genetic potential than cultivated varieties, including resistance to diseases, drought, and climate change. However, the lack of pure wild individuals due to frequent hybridization with cultivated varieties presents a problem.
The goal of the project is to form European collections of wild fruit, preserve genetic diversity, and strengthen the role of wild fruit trees in the food system. Ballian warns that climate change is reducing yields and that it is necessary to protect these species and develop strategies for their conservation.
Although the project has secured funding, Ballian states that implementation is hampered by delays in cost reimbursement, which is why researchers often finance part of the activities themselves. (22.01.)
