In a collaborative effort, the Grupo Operativo Gallina Azul Extremeña (GALLIEXTREM) has been created with the aim of enhancing the value chain of the native breed of the Extremadura Blue Hen. With the backing of three main partners: the Fundación Entretantos (FENT), the Asociación Paisaje Ecología y Género, and Innogestiona Ambiental, and the subcontracting of the Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas de Extremadura (CICYTEX), this ambitious project seeks to achieve key objectives.
Main goals of the project:
- Viability: To establish a productive and commercial network around the Extremadura Blue Hen.
- Revaluation: To highlight the quality of the meat and eggs, as well as the cultural and environmental value of this native breed.
- Support: To look for alternatives to support small rural producers who keep the tradition alive.
There are also several collaborating entities that will participate in the development of this project, such as:
- The Centre for Animal Selection and Reproduction (CENSYRA)
- The Association of Breeders of Blue Extremadura Breed Hens (ACGEXA)
- The Asociación Tierra Sana Agroecológica (Agroecological Healthy Land Association)
- The Association ‘International Movement back to Origins in Rural Areas’ (IMORA)
- The Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity movement
- La Granny Porrilla Farm
- The farm Ecológicos la Huerta
- The livestock farm of the Cabello-Bravo family
- Natura Catering
- Global Nature Foundation
Outstanding innovations of Innogestiona Ambiental:
- Intelligent genealogical laying hen house: A system that recognises the hen and the corresponding male, allowing an accurate genealogical record.
- Adapted mobile poultry houses: development of prototypes adapted to various terrains for extensive poultry farming.
Other objectives to be achieved:
- Obtaining the 100% autochthonous logo granted by the Ministry.
- Creation of alliances with the hotel and tourism sector.
- Establishment of local and online marketing channels.
The project has a grant co-financed by the European Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) at 80% within the Rural Development Programme 2014-2022, within the measure 16 “Cooperation” submeasure 16.1 “Aid for the creation and operation of operational groups of the AEI in agricultural productivity and sustainability”, the rest being co-financed by the Regional Government of Extremadura at 16.28%, and by the State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, at 3.72%.
The European Commission’s website on Rural Development and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) which explains the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on Rural Development and its funding through the EAFRD is:https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/common-agricultural-policy/rural-development_es
