ARTOLIO
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Profitable and Sustainable artisanal olive oil industry in the Mediterranean

About the project

Mediterranean small extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) farmers suffer from similar problems: they own small plots of land and use traditional rain-fed farming, while relying on family manpower. Given globalization challenges, the olive sector of MSMEs is unprofitable and many olive orchards are abandoned or untended, resulting in unemployment within marginalized communities. To face these challenges, ARTOLIO  aims at establishing, in each participating region, a Native Olive Regional Knowledge Center (NOReKC) which will provide up-to-date training on how an artisanal EVOO should be produced in order to remain competitive; and, at defining a networking management model for artisanal EVOO through a Pan-Mediterranean Platform comprising all NOReKC, which will assist MSMEs across the Mediterranean region in marketing, sales, finance, policy and legislation, at national level and in entering new global markets. The project will result in higher olive yield and oil quality as well as improved profitability through connecting individual farmers into a global network of resilient MSMEs able to create jobs at mid-long term and manage businesses. 

Key information

ARTOLIO
Profitable and Sustainable artisanal olive oil industry in the Mediterranean
A.1 Business and SMEs development
A.1.2 Euro-Mediterranean economic clusters
Israel, Palestine, Greece, Cyprus, Spain

Financial data

2.9 million
Total budget
2.6 million
EU contribution
%
10%
Project co-financing

Highlights

Project in numbers

8
Partners
5
Countries
16
Technical outputs

Project duration

Start date
End date

Partnership

News

Events

Library

Deliverables

Documents

Videos

Objective

To enhance the economic sustainability of the Mediterranean MSMEs in the olive oil local industries and increase both olive oil yield and quality, by establishing local knowledge regional institutions as mentors, as well as a Pan-Mediterranean Platform to assist local producers in global marketing and sales

What will be improved?

From one side, olive yield will be increased by at least 200% through the introduction of advanced, evidence-based, irrigation techniques and deployment of sensor networks. Higher yield will translate directly into resilient MSMEs with higher income, then, more likely to create jobs. Form another side, olive oil quality of rural MSMEs will be improved to meet the bar of EVOO both chemically and organoleptically according to international standards and regulations, as well as the promotion of different variants of artisanal EVOO and diversification of products. This will allow small farmers to access world markets at premium prices, then increasing income, resilience and, finally, regional/community growth. 

Who will benefit?

  • Olive farmers with plots of less than 3 hectares
  • Local consumers who will have access to higher quality oil
  • Local business, marketing, branding and finance professionals 
  • 80 EVOO artisanal producers (olive growers and mills owners) 
  • Regional and local authorities in Israel, Palestine, Cyprus, Greece, France and Spain
  • Local chambers of commerce and trade associations
  • Health seekers local and international consumers
  • Non EVOO producing countries consumers who will have access to variant tastes and types of olive oils
     

Expected achievements

  • 1 Native Olive Regional Knowledge Center established in each participating region  
  • 62 sub-grants awarded to oil MSMEs to participate in pilot activities and receive relevant equipment to upgrade their farms
  • Irrigation, fertilization and mill equipment installed in the 62 olive MSMEs
  • Agronomic training and guidance, as well as financial and business training delivered to 62 MSMEs
  • Extra-virgin quality verified chemically and organoleptically for 46 oil farmers
  • 8 regional marketing and branding strategies (1 per participating region)
  • 1 marketing, branding and sales strategic plan for the ARTOLIO Pan-Mediterranean platform
  • 8 regional supportive business and financing regulations promoted
  • 8 regional supportive technical and agronomic regulations promoted 
  • 8 regional clusters of local farmers collaboration and unionizing models promoted
  • 8 Protected Designation of Origin and 8 Protected Geographical Indication marks of quality promoted

Contribution to policy-making

Most of the ARTOLIO partners that will establish the Native Olive Regional Knowledge Center are public bodies which regard the project as a unique pilot opportunity for policy implementation. Once the knowledge centers are set up, in each participating region, these public organizations will be uniquely positioned to continue funding them beyond the lifetime of the project. The success of the project will also lay the foundations to negotiate with regions on partially funding the Pan-Mediterranean platform so that it will continue to thrive and grow beyond the project lifetime while providing profits and visibility to each region.

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Project news

ARTOLIO in Corsica: A Transformative Gathering for the Olive Oil Sector

On November 21st, the ARTOLIO project, a pioneering initiative in olive oil production and milling, held a significant Info Day at the iconic Hotel L'Empereur in Aleria, …

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Authentic Mediterranean Extra Virgin Olive Oils promoted by ARTOLIO project shine at Gastronomic Forum Barcelona

ARTOLIO family experienced an extraordinary reception and an overwhelmingly positive response during the prestigious gastronomy fair.

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ARTOLIO presents olive tree varieties of Cyprus

Cyprus is a Mediterranean island country known for its rich cultural history and its production of high-quality olive oil as well as one of ARTOLIO's beneficiary regions. The island has a long history of o…

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ARTOLIO: A new era begins for Mediterranean olive farmers

Barcelona, 9 October 2023 - In the heart of Barcelona, in the Hotel Museo Petit Palace, a chapter of what has been one of the most emblematic projects of these times was closed: ARTOLIO ENI CBC MED. For three y…

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ARTOLIO Launches Consulting Service for Olive Oil Producers

With its unwavering commitment to empowering farmers and promoting sustainable practices, ARTOLIO has taken a giant leap forward by launching a consulting section within its platform.

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ARTOLIO Eimplements a machine learning and AI-based system on its platform

As part of its ongoing commitment to innovation, ARTOLIO has recently incorporated an AI system powered by ChatGPT-4 into its platform.

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ARTOLIO makes successful marketing visit in Thessaloniki and Halkidiki

In an attempt to strengthen relationships with local farmers and provide personalised guidance, ARTOLIO's marketing team has conducted field visits in Thessaloniki and Ha…

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ARTOLIO study tour explores Dutch olive oil market and introduces innovative platform

The tour successfully introduced the innovative ARTOLIO platform, offering promising opportunities for collaboration and growth within the olive oil industry.

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ARTOLIO launches marketing strategy workshops aimed to help its beneficiaries promote their brand

ARTOLIO, the groundbreaking project dedicated to supporting small-scale extra virgin olive oil producers in the Mediterranean basin, has rec…

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ARTOLIO Seminar Empowers Olive Producers with Brand Development Strategies

Limassol, Cyprus - In a bid to enhance the growth and competitiveness of the local olive industry, the Department of Agriculture of Cyprus (DOA) organized a two-day seminar ti…

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ARTOLIO will offer workshops on marketing strategy for small-scale extra virgin olive oil producers

ARTOLIO, the innovative project that supports small-scale extra virgin olive oil producers in the Mediterranean basin, announces exclusive m…

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AROLIO describes the impact of olive oil in the European market

Olive oil holds a special place in the Europe, where it is not only a staple in cooking but also a symbol of cultural heritage and culinary excellence.  Its impact in the Euro…

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ARTOLIO presents the impact of drought on olive trees

As a drought-tolerant crop, olive trees are naturally adapted to arid and semi-arid climates. However, even these resilient trees can suffer adverse effects when faced with prolonged periods of water scarcity.

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ARTOLIO highlights the impact of olive oil in the Mediterranean cuisine

Olive oil is a fundamental ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine, and its impact on the culinary traditions of the region cannot be overstated. From its historical significance …

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ARTOLIO presents: Olive tree varieties of Corsica, France

Corsica is a French island located in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the partner regions of ARTOLIO. Here are some of the most popular olive tree varieties that can be found there.

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ARTOLIO presents the traditional olive oil practices of the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean region is home to some of the world's oldest olive groves, and traditional olive oil practices have been passed down from generation to generation. Here…

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Greece: ARTOLIO in Kalamata organized a seminar on quality and entrepreneurship for extra virgin olive pil producers

A seminar on the quality characteristics of olive oil and the marketing of standardized extra virgin olive oil was held on Friday, March 31,…

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ARTOLIO presents: olive tree varieties of Greece

Greece is known worldwide for its beautiful landscapes, rich history, and delicious cuisine, and one of the staples of Greek cuisine is olive oil. Here are some of the most popular olive tree varieties of Greec…

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ARTOLIO presents: olive tree varieties of Spain

Spain is one of the leading producers of olive oil in the world and, luckily, one of the areas in which ARTOLIO operates. Here are some of its most popular olive tree varieties.

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Project news

ARTOLIO presents olive tree varieties of Israel

Israel is one of the regions where the ARTOLIO project operates. Known for its rich cultural history, as well as its diverse range of flora and fauna, Israel has been closely related to olive oil production sin…

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ARTOLIO Israel - The project initiates its second phase: on marketing and communication

From March onwards, the marketing team will focus entirely on publicizing the platform, the main objective of which is to give visibility to the project's farmers, as wel…

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ARTOLIO presents: How does the olive variety affect the flavor of olive oil?

The flavor of olive oil is heavily influenced by the variety of olive tree from which the olives are harvested. Each variety of olive tree produces olives with a unique flavor…

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ARTOLIO presents: How to make extra virgin olive oil, a beginner's guide

Extra virgin olive oil is the focus of ARTOLIO, that axis that puts together its millers, farmers and partners. It made from the fruit of the olive tree, which is native to th…

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ARTOLIO presents: How to grow olive trees without using chemicals, a beginner's guide

Growing olive trees without the use of chemicals is becoming an increasingly popular choice among farmers and home gardeners alike. Not only is this method more environmentall…

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ARTOLIO presents: The history of olive oil cultivation in the Mediterranean Basin

Olive trees have been cultivated in the Mediterranean for thousands of years, and its climate and soil conditions are ideal for the growth and development of these ancient tre…

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ARTOLIO presents: An introduction to grafting in the olive groves

One of ARTOLIO's main objectives is to educate in all the practices to the farmer's disposal. Grafting is one of them. It is a horticultural technique that involves …

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ARTOLIO presents “Olive tree varieties and why they matter Issue #4: The Hojiblanca Variety”

Hojiblanca which means white leave in Spanish is a variety of olive which has high resistance to drought, and this explains its great expansion in Andalusia.

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ARTOLIO presents an introduction on irrigation and drought in olive oil fields

The expert agronomists of ATOLIO have thoroughly researched the needs of the regions that make up ARTOLIO: Spain, Greece, Israel, Cyprus and Palestine. Irrigation comes into p…

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ARTOLIO presents olive tree varieties and why they matter, Issue 3 - Nabali Baladi Variety

The fruitiness, bitterness, and aftertaste depends mainly on the variety that has been nurtured, and how it's been tended to. In this entry, the focus will be one of the …

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ARTOLIO presents: Integrated Crop Management in Olive Cultivation

Ehud Soriano, ARTOLIO partner from Israel and agronomist, has worked with the farmers and the partners of the project to create a list of recommendations that should be consid…

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ARTOLIO presents olive tree varieties and why they matter, Issue 2 - Koroneiki Variety

The Koroneiki variety poses an interesting case. It is a Greek variety and was introduced in Cyprus around 1977. Both of which are regions where the project is stationed, mean…

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Project news

ARTOLIO partner Dimitra Tofari, from Cyprus: “I joined ARTOLIO because I wanted to work with people who are passionate about extra virgin olive oil."

Dimitra Tofari, ARTOLIO member of the organoleptic assessment panel of Cyprus in the district of Larnaca,…

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ARTOLIO partner Giora Ben-Ari, from Israel: “I think what is unique in ARTOLIO is that there is face-to-face training and guidance of the farmers.”

Giora Ben-Ari, partner and coordinator of ARTOLIO from the Volcani Institute of Israel, is responsible fo…

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ARTOLIO partner Salah Abu Eisheh, from Palestine: “The progress of ARTOLIO in supporting olive farmers is clear and significant”

Salah Abu Eisheh, director of the Palestinian Center for Agricultural Research and Development (PCARD), i…

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Project news

ARTOLIO presents: Why should we have extra virgin olive oil?

Olive oil is the axis of the ARTOLIO project. It is the focus of its efforts, and the central piece that gathers all interests between the partners and the farmers that are a part of it. In itself, olive oil do…

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ARTOLIO tackles the concerns of the extra virgin olive oil market: An insight into the future strategy of the project

ARTOLIO partners found two acute problems in the local olive oil market: a severe lack of labor and a tendency not to sell the final product…

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ARTOLIO unveils marketing platform for extra virgin olive oil producers

ARTOLIO launches a marketing platform to ensure the success of the farmers in a broader market and presents it in its second face-to-face meeting: Thessaloniki 2022.

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ARTOLIO partners step outside of meetings to do field research in olive oil producing regions of Greece

From September the 12th to September the 16th, the ARTOLIO project held one of its most important events to date: ARTOLIO Thessaloniki. Its …

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Greece: ARTOLIO highlight needs of olive farmers in the region of Kalamata

After her visit to Kalamata, Greece, from the 20th of August to the 24th, ARTOLIO partner Yifat Reuveni provides insight and observations on the needs of the farmers of the AR…

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An insight into the ARTOLIO olive farmers of Kalamata, Greece, by partner Yifat Reuveni

From August 20th to the 24th, ARTOLIO partner Yifat Reuveni had the pleasure to visit Kalamata (Greece), one of the regions participating in the project. The objective of the …

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ARTOLIO partner Yifat Reuveni visits Kalamata region in Greece for the first time to meet the oilve farmers and assess their situation

During the last year, the marketing team of ARTOLIO has been working on ways to help our farmers export a…

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ARTOLIO presents olive tree varieties and why they matter, Issue 1 - Picual Variety

It is a known fact among our peers that the differences in taste and the amount of polyphenols provided in our olive oils come from the olive tree variety. In this article and…

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ARTOLIO promotes sustainability in the event "The Future of Agriculture: Benefits and Opportunities"

The event "The Future of Agriculture: Benefits and Opportunities", held in April 2022, was part of the memorandum of cooperation o…

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Education and resourcefulness, ARTOLIO participates in the event "The Future of Olive farming in Chalkidiki: Opportunities and Βenefits"

Kiki Zinoviadou, partner of ARTOLIO and Chair of the MSc program on New Food product and Business Develop…

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Greece: ARTOLIO hosts an educational event for high school students on the subject of olive oil production

On May the 10th, 2022, the ARTOLIO project held an educational event for high school students in the Olive mill Agriston, owned by one of th…

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ARTOLIO organizes the seminar “Best practices in the olive mill” for the millers of the Cyprus region

During the visit of ARTOLIO partner Ehud Soriano to Cyprus and the Cypriot partners, a seminar titled “Best practices in the olive mill” was…

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ARTOLIO Israeli and Palestinian farmers and millers' gather in a marketing and branding conference in Israel Beit Hakerem cluster

In mid-June, before the preparation of the oil mills and the harvest season, Israeli and Palestinian farm…

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"If we share our knowledge, we will be able to improve the quality of our products" Juan Pedro Campello, ARTOLIO farmer from Jaen (Spain)

When given the chance, the right motivation and the collaboration of a well placed team, the possibilitie…

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"Business can go hand in hand with ecological awareness” Francisco Javier García, ARTOLIO partner of Spain

The ARTOLIO project consists of a team with a great variety of interests, and business is one of them. Ultimately, olive oil is a product wi…

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From the tree to the table, Diogenis Demetriou, ARTOLIO farmer from the Cyprus region

One does not stray far away from the other, because the qualities olive oil possesses are beneficial to the food, but most importantly, to its favor. Diogenis Demetriou, farme…

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“Extra Virgin Olive Oil is not a luxury, or at least it shouldn't be”, Demetris Taliotis, ARTOLIO beneficiary from Cyprus

Local market has always been a fundamental pillar in the sector, providing farmers with consumers that we…

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Towards sustainability: ARTOLIO supports José Luis García Ramírez, olive farmer from Jaen (Spain)

ARTOLIO takes pride in supporting those who are committed to the environment and as respectful towards it as possible. José Luis García Ramí…

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The power of collaboration, ARTOLIO and the case of Konstantinos and Christina Strivakos of the Kalamata region, Greece

Due to the increasing effect of global warming on the fields, farmers all over the world have felt the need to adapt to the new conditions o…

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The ARTOLIO project continues building bridges between the different cultures that make it up

Despite their different cultural backgrounds, the partners of the project got to know the area as well as to establish bonds between themselves outside the workplace. 

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ARTOLIO demonstrates its potential in a tasting of extra virgin olive oil at the University of Jaen, Spain

A tasting of some of the project olive oils was carried out at the University of Jaen. It was led by Sebastián Sánchez, partner of ARTOLIO a…

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ARTOLIO attended the 9th WOOE (World Olive Oil Exhibition) in Madrid, on March 8th and 9th

On March the 8th and 9th, the ARTOLIO project attended the WOOE (World Olive Oil Exhibition) as a visitor, a worldwide fair recognized by all producers and consumers of qualit…

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"I joined because the idea behind it was truly commendable", Dimitrios Psathas, beneficiary of ARTOLIO, on the purpose of the project

"When I make my extra virgin oil, I do it with the intention of educating the customer in mind. I wo…

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A story of tradition and taste: discover ARTOLIO’s farmers Jean-Louis and Jean-Baptiste Moretti, from Corsica

Bringing innovation to a sector as traditional as the agricultural field is one of the main objectives of the ARTOLIO project, as it is for …

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"ARTOLIO has opened the doors to the environmental protection of our olive grove"

Read the story of Blas Lanagrán, an olive producer from Spain , which has been supported by the project to install an irrigation system with photovoltaic panels.

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ARTOLIO project presents digital transformation app for extra virgin olive oil producers in Corsica

The pioneering project of the European Union and ENI CBC MED implements the first pilot training of its digital platform of management and o…

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ARTOLIO showcased in Expoliva 2021, the greatest international fair dedicated to extra virgin olive oil

The University of Jaén, partner of the project, showed its progress and celebrated its great reception by professionals and institutions in …

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ARTOLIO launches a new app that connects extra virgin olive oil producers from all over the Mediterranean

The project launches a new application management system which aims to improve business management, innovation and knowledge exchange

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Israel: ARTOLIO first meeting highlights technical and business challenges for olive oil producers

Selected olive growers and olive press mills owners from Israel learnt about the specialized support they will receive to improve quality, b…

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ARTOLIO training week, the learning program that empowers the small olive oil producers

The EU's project to support small olive oil producers has completed its February training week with the participation of an extensive selection of professionals from the …

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EU-funded "ARTOLIO" project to support small olive oil producers

This €2.9 million project is coordinated by Israel's Agricultural Research Organization and sees the participation of 9 partner organizations from Cyprus, France, Greece,…

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