AMMAN: The Irbid Agriculture Directorate, overseeing the Kingdom's top olive-producing region, has advised farmers to delay their olive harvest until late November. According to Jordan News Agency, this recommendation aims to allow the fruit to reach full maturity, which will significantly enhance oil content and improve the overall quality of the product. Abdel Hafiz Abu Arabi, Director of Agriculture in Irbid, emphasized that the current weather conditions are optimal for olive maturation. He stressed the importance of closely monitoring the olives' color to determine the ideal harvest time. "Harvesting too early will reduce the oil percentage in the olives, leading to lower production volumes and inferior quality, which in turn affects farmers' economic returns," Abu Arabi said. Abu Arabi projected a 20-25% increase in olive oil production this season compared to last year, attributing the growth to favorable rainfall. Around 80,000 tons of olives are expected to be harvested, with 75% dedicated to oil production and the remainder reserved for pickling. The total olive oil output is estimated at 12,000 tons. The director also advised farmers to store harvested olives in ventilated plastic crates or burlap sacks to maintain quality, as plastic bags negatively affect oil preservation. He stressed the importance of pressing olives within 36 hours of harvesting to maintain the highest possible oil quality. Irbid's 52 olive presses will open on October 15 to assist in processing the season's yield, with olive cultivation spanning 200,000 dunums in the region. Abu Arabi further urged farmers to avoid mixing fallen olives with freshly picked ones, as this can degrade the quality of the oil. After the harvest, he recommended pruning olive trees and removing diseased branches while applying organic fertilizers to promote better growth in future seasons.