WORKSHOP 11C09 Innovative Environmental Policies and Solutions in the Regions Organiser: Green...

WORKSHOP 11C09

Innovative Environmental Policies and Solutions in the Regions

Organiser: Green Innovation in Action

“Support of organic farming by adoption

of innovative technologies” Department of Scientific-Technical Support &

Programmes’ ImplementationRegional Development Fund

Western Greece Region

Dr. Stefanos MichosHead of Dept.

11/10/2005 Mid Sweden Office, Brussels2

Presentation structure

Short profile of Western Greece Region (WGR) WGR’ s priorities for the environment (ROP) WGR’ s involvement on environmental projects (INN•ACT,

GRDP, INNOREF) Short information about INN•ACT Focus on “support of organic farming” INN•ACT results (1): Analysis of organic farming management

practices and retracting of the cultivation status INN•ACT results (2): Improvement of the services relative to

disease and pest diagnosis INN•ACT results (3): Operation of a Citizen Help Desk on organic

farming issues


Short profile of Western Greece Region

WGR stretches from the northwest part of the Peloponnese to the western tip of the Greek mainland. It is one of the 13 Regions of Greece, is separated in 3 administrative districts, the Prefectures of Aitoloakarnania, Achaia, Elia and covers an area of 11.350 square kilometres (8,6% of the total area of Greece).

For the most part the terrain is mountainous (45,3%) or hilly (25,6%), while only

29,1% consists of plains. All three prefectures have extensive coastal areas along the Ionian Sea and the Gulfs of Amvrakia, Patras and Corinth.

There is a wide variety of landscapes, from alpine meadows to sandy beaches and a unique network of rivers and wetlands that support a wide range of wildlife (including golden eagles and vultures). The visitor exploring the fertile mountain valleys and gorges with rushing waters will find a small haven of unsurpassed beauty.

According to the 2001 census, the population of WGR is 741,282. This makes it the fourth most populated Region of Greece, with 7% of the country’s total population.

WGR is a modern communications and transport hub that connects Greece to

the rest of Europe. The busy port of Patras is not only the Region’s capital but also the country’s main gateway to Western Europe.


WGR’ s priorities for the environment

One of the main prioritiesEnhancement and protection of the environment and development of smooth and renewable energy sources

Sub-priorities Encouragement of prevention measures

Promotion of sustainable development

Protection of lakes, rivers, lagoons, and seas

Management of water potential

Development of waste recycling technologies and energy production from biomass

Use of smooth and renewable energy sources like wind, solar, hydro-electric and biomass


WGR’ s involvement on environmental projects

INN•ACT (2002-2004) ERDF INNOVATIVE ACTIONSGoal: to support decisively the innovation in its

geographical and administrative limits and reduce the "technology gap" that separates it from other more developed Regions in the European Union

GRDP (2004-2006) INTERREG IIIC SOUTHGoal: to exchange knowledge and experience so as to

locate and develop best practices for the environmental / sustainable development and its evaluation techniques

INNOREF (2004-2007) INTERREG IIIC EASTGoal: to enhance sustainable growth through innovation

and resource efficiency


Short information about INN•ACT

Duration: 27 months (1/1/2002 – 31/03/2004)

Total budget: 3.609.412 € (ERDF 2.852.265 €, National 113.251 €, Private 643.895 €)

Structure: 6 Actions –> 12 Sub-Actions(covering innovation transfer to SMEs, clustering, e-commerce, health and

safety for the citizens, organic farming)

Partners: Universities, Institutes, Chambers of Commerce, Research Centres,

Agricultural Networks, Private Companies


Focus on “support of organic farming”

Aim: To promote new alternative solutions in the agricultural production sector, which are more friendly to the environment and more healthy than the existing ones

Action 4: Support of organic farming by adoption of innovative technologies

This Action comprised the following Sub-Actions on organic farming:

4.1 Analysis of organic farming management practices and retracting of the cultivation status (Contractor: National Agricultural Research Foundation)

4.3 Improvement of the services relative to disease and pest diagnosis (Contractor: National Agricultural Research Foundation)

4.4 Creation of a «Citizen Help Desk»(Contractor: Bio Network West Hellas)


Focus on “support of organic farming” (cont.)

0

10.000

20.000

30.000

40.000

50.000

60.000

70.000Acres

1997 1999 2001 2003

Organic cultivated land in Western Greece


Focus on “support of organic farming” (cont.)

0

10.000

20.000

30.000

40.000Acres

1997 1999 2001 2003

Amount of organically cultivated land per prefecture

Aitoloakarnania Ahaia Ilia


Analysis of organic farming management practices & retracting of the cultivation status

It was carried out via the following two tasks: Task 1:

Study aimed to record management practices and determine the profile of the organic farmer as well as elucidate the most important problems in WGR

Task 2:

Application of a pilot project by networking local organic farms, public agricultural authorities, research institutions, inspection and certification bodies, etc.


Analysis of organic farming management practices & retracting of the cultivation status (cont.)

Important outcomes of the study: Economic Results for main cultivations of

Organic and Conventional Farms, Western Greece Region, 2002-2003

1. Total Gross Revenues are higher for organic farms in comparison with conventional (only exception olive oil)

2. Total production expenses are higher for organic farms, especially labor expenses and fertilizer cost

3. Net profits are higher4. Prices for organic products are higher5. Yield is lower for organic cultivations6. Economic results for organic cultivations

depend on product7. Risk for organic cultivation is higher due to high

risk of yield and price

1,22

0,320,24 0,23

1,1

0,57

0,83 0,84

0

0,2

0,4

0,6

0,8

1

1,2

1,4

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Org

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Oliv

eoi

l

Conv

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nal

Oliv

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Org

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Curra

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Lem

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Citr

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Risk of Farm Family Income



Important outcomes of the study:

Attitudes of organic and conventional farmers concerning organic farming

1. The organic farmers are mainly motivated on the basis of financial reasons (seeking higher prices and better marketing of their organic products)

2. The organic farmers are more optimistic about the future perspectives of organic farming, in relation to conventional farmers

3. The organic farmers, on the one hand, are still largely depended on subsidies, while, on the other, are approaching the new organic products markets

4. There is a significant lack of technical - agronomic support on the organic farmers, as well as a shortage of information provision shortage on the new trends of the food markets (concerning both organic and conventional producers).

5. Both, organic and conventional farmers believe that conventional farming causes problems to the environment



Important outcomes of the study:

Profile of organic and conventional farmers

1. Compared to conventional farmers, a higher percentage of organic farmers have family members interested in succeeding them

2. The Federations of local agricultural cooperatives and farmer groups have played a significant role in promoting organic agriculture in Western Greece Region

3. Farmers maintain that there is a lack of appropriate and accessible processing and standardization facilities in their Region

4. Collective entrepreneurship is a prerequisite for profitable investments in organic agriculture (cooperatives, farmer groups, etc.)



Creation of a data base with information on organic crops at farmer’s level in Western Greece Region


Improvement of the services relative to disease and pest diagnosis

It was carried out via the following two tasks: Task 1:

Purchase of durable equipment / Employment of scientists to operate the new equipment

Task 2:Support of organic farmers through the creation of a data base with information on disease and pest diagnosis - crop protection / Creation of a web site where the most important problems of the organic farming in WGR are presented


Operation of a Citizen Help Desk on organic farming issues

The basic conditions for the development of organic agriculture are:

Consumer’s informing Producer’s informing


Operation of a Citizen Help Desk on organic farming issues (cont.)

Consumer’s informing

about the positive effects in one’s health from the consumption organic products

about environment’s protection that is achieved by the application of the organic production

about the sale’s points, where such products can be supplied



Producer’s informing

about the techniques that should be applied for a successful culture in the frame of organic production

about the ability of selling their products in satisfactory prices



OPERATION of THREE OFFICES



OPERATION of WEBSITE


THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

For more informationplease see at www.ptapde.gr

orsend an e-mail to [email protected]

WORKSHOP 11C09 Innovative Environmental Policies and Solutions in the Regions Organiser: Green...

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