Cretan producers were informed about rational vegetable fertilisation
Workshops in Tybaki and Ierapetra in the context of Measure 16 of the C.A.P. 2014-2022
Major and active participation by Cretan producers in the colloquiums on: ‘Innovations for rational vegetable fertilisation – Innovation through the Rural Development Programme’ and ‘Innovations for vegetable fertilisation – The case of biostimulants, innovation through the Rural Development Programme’ which took place in Tympaki and Ierapetra, Crete, on 21 and 22 September 2023.
Participants in the information events organised as part of Measure 16 ‘COOPERATION’ of the C.A.P. 2014-2022, included producers of the Agro Fruit & Vegetable Olive Oil Cooperative of Tympaki, the ‘Anatoli’ Agricultural Association of the Municipality of Ierapetra, and the Agricultural Cooperative of Psari, agronomists and entities in the wider agri-food sector.
The aim of Measure 16 ‘COOPERATION’ is the development of partnerships aimed at linking research and production, through the pilot implementation of projects, as well as the creation of Operational Groups. More specifically, these partnerships concern strengthening the sustainability and productivity of agriculture, protecting the environment, and adapting to climate change.
Speakers – Presentations
In the context of these partnerships and the promotion of their results, GAIA EPICHEIREIN, coordinator of the ‘DSS-KIPEFTIKON’ Operational Team and the VIO-PROSARMOGI’ Operational Team, organised the colloquiums during which Mr Nikos Papakonstantinou, director of the department of Rural Development & Project Management, GAIA EPICHEIREIN, presented developments in the new Common Agricultural Policy, while department executives Angeliki Lagogiannis and Maria Korre made special reference to Measure 16 ‘COOPERATION’ of C.A.P. 2014-2022, the operational plan of each Operational Group (O.G.), and the progress in implementing each project. A discussion ensued with the producers about the cultivation practices they follow and the fertilisation of their crops.
Mr Dimitrios Savvas, Dean of the School of Plant Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), presented modern approaches and technologies for rational vegetable fertilisation. In the context of the implementation of the project of ‘DSS-KIPEFTIKON’ Operational Group, an innovative, specialised decision-making support software is being implemented and evaluated, developed by the Laboratory of Vegetable Production of the AUA in greenhouse vegetable crops with the aim of rational fertilisation. The software enables the implementation of integrated rational fertilisation programmes adapted to the specific cultivation conditions of each greenhouse, taking into account the data from chemical analyses of the soil and irrigation water.
Ms Georgia Ntatsi, Assistant Professor at the Laboratory of Vegetable Production of the AUA, presented new trends in the fertiliser market, while special emphasis was placed on biostimulants, which, as analysed, increase plant growth, nutrient intake, and water use efficiency, with no negative effects on the yields. Furthermore, guidance was provided to producers on how biostimulants should be selected and implemented.
Mr Foivos Pisimisis, agronomist, technical support officer of the Greek company HUMOFERT and Mr Carlo Gambino, the head of research of the Italian company MUGAVERO, companies with a long history in plant nutrition, analysed the benefits and impact of microbial biostimulants, biostimulants with algae and protein hydrolysates, biostimulants produced and used in the context of implementation of the ‘VIO-PROSARMOGI’ Operational Group proposal.
