Miguel COTTON

FOUNDER, AGROECOLOGY ENTHUSIAST, Tavira, Portugal

Miguel Cotton founded in 1994 a tour operator (Continents Insolites) established in Belgium and France and specialized in the creation and marketing of high-end tailor-made discovery trips. His current professional activities include teaching at the University of Brussels and the development of educational activities related to agroecology.

He visited and took part in many agroecological sites throughout the world (Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia,…). He studied permaculture in Ireland (Permaculture Design Certificate) and in Denmark (Permaculture Educators’ course). His main focus area is how to implement science-driven agroecological practices to fruit production.

Milan NEPALI

GARDEN MANAGER & INSTRUCTOR, Tavira, Portugal

Born in Nepal, Milan's deep connection with nature began in his childhood, spent in a village near the Annapurnas. Over the years, he has gained extensive horticultural experience, further deepening his understanding of the natural world.

As Garden Steward, Milan has been deeply involved in every essential aspect of the botanical garden, from studying newly arrived plants to planting, pruning, fertilizing, and managing pests. His meticulous care ensures the garden’s health and balance.

Recently, Milan joined the Fruit Tree Academy as an Assistant Instructor, where he shares his extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with garden enthusiasts, inspiring others to connect with nature.

Dror AVITAL

SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR, Faro, Portugal

Dror Avital is a plant biologist who is contributing significantly to the development of the Botanical Garden. He has extensive experience in Agricultural Development Projects worldwide.

Born in the Judean Mountain's region of Israel, Dror holds a degree in Plant Biology from the Agricultural Department of the Hebrew University, specializing in plant protection and biological agents.

Driven by a mission to establish robust and sustainable food production systems that directly enhance the livelihoods of local communities, Dror has led successful cultivation projects in diverse locations, including India, Nepal, Ethiopia, Portugal, and Israel. In 2019, Dror immigrated to Portugal to establish Grovida SA, the largest medical marijuana farm in Europe. With a wealth of experience and a commitment to fostering positive change, Dror is now assisting the Orchard of Flavours Botanical Garden. He fully agrees with our mission: cultivating more fruit trees locally, adjusting to climate change and sharing knowledge.

Dror is helping us develop a rigorous scientific framework for propagating and fertilizing our fruit trees. He is also the instructor of many of our fruit tree academy workshops, covering fruit tree maintenance (pruning and fertilizing) and the propagation of fruit trees. Do not hesitate to contact him at avitaldror@gmail.com.

Lucas OLIVEIRA

AGRONOMIC ENGINEER, Tavira, Portugal

Lucas Olivera joined the Orchard of Flavours Botanical Garden in November 2024, following a two-year world tour during which he cycled an average of 200 km per day — a clear testament to his dedication and endurance. He speaks four languages (English, Portuguese, French, and Spanish) and graduated from the University of Coimbra with a degree in Agronomic Engineering. Over the years, Lucas has worked on a variety of agricultural projects in subtropical countries such as India and Australia.

Since joining our team, Lucas has been an invaluable asset, taking part in our Food Tree Academy program to train local gardeners. He is currently developing a comprehensive guide on growing mango trees in Mediterranean climates.

You can contact him directly on +351 969 175 712

Dave NORWOOD

ADVISOR, Tavira, Portugal

Although he never really gets his hands dirty, Dave first planted a coconut garden in Mahaballipuram, Tamil Nadu in the mid 90’s and was amazed that 45 (out of 60) survived the terrible tsunami of 2004.

For decades he has been haphazardly planting and enjoying trees across the world, banana and coconut in the Bahamas, olive and almond in Spain, walnut and sweet chestnut in France, apple and pear in Ireland, before retiring to an ancient cider orchard in Devon, England. When not planting trees, he became a chess grandmaster and entrepreneur, helping set up companies like IP Group, Oxford Science Enterprises and Oxford Nanopore.

Finally he moved with his young family to the East Algarve in 2020, and fell in love with citrus fruit, enjoying his orange and tangerine orchard. Having met Miguel, he is now observing his own garden become more diverse and exotic. He is delighted to live close to the Orchard of Flavours and will do everything he can to make this magnificent project succeed (without of course getting his hands dirty).

Miguel PEREIRA

AGROECOLOGY ENTHUSIAST and DIGITAL MARKETER, Viana do Castelo and Sesimbra, Portugal

Miguel (we call him Junior) is a young Portuguese nature lover. After working for some years in Online Marketing in Lisbon, he decided to quit so he could travel Asia, and ended up finding a new calling while participating at Agroecological projects in Vietnam and Thailand, as well as Portugal. He took a PDC near Bangkok and since has attended many workshops and courses on horticulture, agroforestry and agroecology.

He is a huge asset to the Orchard of Flavours project and combines rare qualities: a passion for nature preservation, a great sense of rigour, and an insatiable and enthusiastic willingness to learn. He is our copywriter and works on the digital communication of our garden.