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#" From Desert to OLIVE OASIS: Know My story."

Writer's picture: Karim AbosamraKarim Abosamra

Updated: Aug 15, 2023

I was granted the opportunity to dwell in the desert's heart for four years, and it proved to be a chapter etched indelibly in my memory. Amidst the vast expanse of sand and sky, I encountered a profound silence that seemed to redefine the essence of stillness. In the arid embrace of the desert, one finds a sanctuary for relishing life's unfettered simplicity and basking in the resplendence of nature's grandeur while chasing the fruition of their aspirations.




The rise of my dream


The notion of residing in the desert for four years, spanning from 2013 to 2017, was a notion that had never crossed my mind. My visions were perpetually filled with the allure of coastal shores or verdant woods. Yet in 2005, during my inaugural sojourn to Siwa in Egypt's Western Desert, an unexpected discovery unfurled before me: an isolated oasis steeped in cultural legacy, predominantly rooted in agriculture and artisanal crafts. This isolation, paradoxically, safeguarded its heritage, nurturing it across the epochs.


During this time, the significance of olives and dates, intrinsic to the daily existence of Siwa's indigenous inhabitants, became unmistakably apparent. While the agricultural heritage held a certain significance, the architectural tapestry of Siwa seized my attention, imprinting it upon my memory. A brief sojourn in my hometown of Alexandria followed this revelation, marking my departure from Siwa—an exit I had never envisaged as anything other than temporary.


Upon receiving my Licentiate degree from Alexandria University in 2007, I embarked on a European odyssey for work and business pursuits in 2012. I sowed my roots across Italy, Spain, France, and the Netherlands and encountered numerous enterprising minds. Among them, an entrepreneur harbored a vested interest in investing in the Western Egyptian desert, albeit within agriculture. This fascination catalyzed a revisit to Siwa, reframing its vista through a novel lens.


Upon my return, I decided resolutely to procure a slice of this oasis. Guided by a local inhabitant, I beheld a parcel of land on the path to the oracle temple, commanding a view over a Roman aqua spring named Tamusy. This acquisition bore the blueprint of an ecological haven, a sanctuary materializing as a boutique hotel. And as my ambitions bloomed, another tract of desert land emerged, inspiring visions of an oasis woven seamlessly into the arid expanse.



Why did I decide to grow olives in the desert?


The decision to cultivate olives within the desert's embrace was borne from a tapestry of motives. At its heart lay the desire to birth a sustainable enterprise that could yield wholesome sustenance to those in its vicinity. With their abundant nutrients and antioxidants, Olives symbolize a bastion of health. Additionally, their role as a low-maintenance crop augmented their allure.


Simultaneously, an aspiration sprouted to nurture a venture deeply intertwined with community enrichment. This impelled me to propagate a greater abundance of olives within Siwa, a deliberate act safeguarding Siwa's cultural inheritance. Within the canvas of my olive oasis, Siwa's cultural tableau unfurled – a single day's sojourn revealing facets of tradition such as song, attire, architecture, and the echoes of time-honored harvests.


Steeped in a fervor to uplift fellow beings, I acknowledged that nurturing olives within the desert's embrace was a conduit for realizing this passion. From this endeavor, the blooms of employment burgeoned for the locals while nourishing fare extended its reach to the community. Casting an eye to the future, my endeavor envisions expansion along new horizons – envisaging the transformation of olive tree pruning waste into bespoke furniture.


In my blueprint for the future, I envision orchestrating journeys tailored for diverse nationalities, inviting them to Siwa's embrace. Here, they shall encounter the tapestry of Siwa's cultural legacy and personally partake in crafting their own extra virgin olive oil. Through this, we bridge not just cultures, but aspirations, lending a helping hand to the community and bolstering the endeavors of the oasis's artisanal talents.


In the symphony of my decisions, the resolve to cultivate olives within the desert emerged from a fervor for challenges. The allure of contending with the desert's unforgiving embrace beckoned me. Amidst this formidable terrain, I confronted a tapestry of obstacles, surmounting each to unfurl the canvas of my thriving olive enterprise across the arid expanse.



Which varieties of olives can grow in the desert?

Within the arid expanses of the desert, a myriad of olive breeds find their haven. The Manzanilla and Sevillano stand tall, emblematic of the diverse pantheon. Each olive variety bestows a distinct symphony of flavors, signifying the significance of the right choice. Our journey led us through tasting eight varieties, eventually narrowing our focus to a quartet. A local gem christened Maraki took its place, destined to yield liquid gold in oil. Alongside, the Egizi joined the chorus, destined to grace tables as exquisite companions. The harmonious addition of Picual and Koroneiki perfected the ensemble, painting a vibrant palette of flavors against the desert canvas.



Challenges and solutions


The most significant hurdle to cultivating olives in the desert is water scarcity. Deserts inherently lack the water resources necessary to sustain olives, which demand copious amounts of water to thrive and produce fruit. However, I ingeniously addressed this predicament by delving deep into the earth and installing a well, employing solar energy to power the water's ascent through the irrigation network. This approach not only aids the environment through utilizing a DC solar system, eliminating the need for energy storage batteries.


The topographical challenge posed by uneven terrain is yet another dimension to conquer. In navigating such rugged landscapes, drip irrigation emerges as the premier solution. Through this method, water is directly delivered to the roots of plants via a network of hoses and emitters. This innovative approach not only mitigates water wastage but also showcases remarkable efficiency.


Lastly, the desert's soil composition often entails an excess of sand and a dearth of essential minerals, thus creating a trying environment for olive cultivation. The solution lies in enriching this sandy soil with organic fertilizers, fostering improved drainage, aeration, and water and nutrient retention. By providing plants with the necessary nourishment to flourish, soil fertility can be amplified. Compost, manure, and blood meal stand as commendable organic fertilizers for enhancing the vitality of sandy soil.


Conclusion


Ultimately, this desert journey has been a remarkable tapestry woven with challenges, innovation, and the pursuit of aspirations. From the vast expanse of sand and sky to the profound silence that redefined stillness, I've discovered a sanctuary in the desert's heart. Through cultivating olives and nurturing a thriving enterprise, I've embraced the challenges, enriched the community, and preserved cultural heritage. As the journey continues, I'm reminded that challenges are the stepping stones to growth, and the desert's embrace has become a canvas on which dreams are painted, resilience is tested, and the spirit of transformation prevails.

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Hi, thanks for dropping by!

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