G. O. GALLIEXTREM

The Extremadura Blue Hen is in danger of extinction. For this reason, the Grupo Operativo Gallina Azul Extremeña (GALLIEXTREM) has been created with the aim of developing the value chain of the native breed of the Extremadura Blue Hen. The main objectives are:

• Viability, generating a productive and commercial network around the Extremadura Blue Hen.
• Revalorisation, by valuing the quality of its meat and eggs and its cultural and environmental value as an autochthonous breed.
• Support, seeking alternatives for small producers who keep the rural environment alive.

The group has three main partners, the Fundación Entretantos (FENT) in Extremadura, the Asociación Paisaje Ecología y Género and Innogestiona Ambiental. To support the team, the Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas de Extremadura (CICYTEX), a technology centre attached to the Regional Ministry of Economy and Infrastructures of the Regional Government of Extremadura, has been subcontracted to develop R&D&I in Extremadura and support productive processes in the Autonomous Community, especially in the agricultural and forestry sector. CICYTEX is also the owner of an Extremadura Blue Hen nucleus created in 1991.

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 Extremaduran 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

These entities will contribute their background, knowledge and experience to the Operational Group so that it can develop a project that is coherent with the needs of the sectors involved and with its work objectives.

Among the work carried out by Innogestiona Ambiental, the following stand out:

• The development of an intelligent genealogical ponedero: This is an intelligent laying house for extensive hen rearing, capable of recognising the hen that lays the egg and the corresponding male, in order to keep a genealogical record of each of the specimens on the farm.
• Adapted mobile poultry houses: Several prototypes of mobile poultry houses will also be developed for extensive poultry farming (both for laying and for meat production) adapted to the land to be farmed and the different cases.

Other objectives of the project are to obtain the 100% indigenous logo granted by the Ministry, create alliances with the hotel and catering and tourism sector, establish local and online marketing channels and, in short, generate a complete value chain around the Extremadura Blue Hen.

The project has a grant co-financed by the European Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) at 85% 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 11.28%, 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) explains the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on Rural Development and its funding through the EAFRD: https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/common-agricultural-policy/rural-development_es