Νέα Γεωργία Νέα Γενιά

Enhancing the Position of High Nutritional Value Products

Enhancing the Position of High Nutritional Value Products

The action “Enhancing the Position of High Nutritional Value Products” aims to highlight the value of Greek agricultural products by identifying and adding health claims, thereby promoting their exports. It represents a structured approach to documenting health claims for products and supporting local production to further enhance competitiveness.

Increasing the competitiveness of high nutritional value products creates excellent prospects for the overall development of rural areas, ensuring added value for the products themselves. Additionally, through this action, it is possible to support other sectors that will benefit from increased economic activity, such as logistics and tourism.

The action is designed and implemented by the organization New Agriculture New Generation and the University of Thessaly (UTH), with the support of the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (ETHAE). The project leader is Dr. Dimitrios Kouretas, Professor at UTH, Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology.

Action Objective

Highlighting health claims in local Greek products will increase their added value. However, in most cases, these properties have not been investigated. This specific action constitutes a structured approach to documenting health claims and supporting local production to enhance competitiveness.

The research action is addressed to:

  • Municipalities
  • Regions
  • Cooperatives & other collaborative schemes
  • Companies and producers

Action Structure

The project is executed in two distinct phases.

The first phase involves field research, laboratory analysis procedures, communication with the local agri-food system, and informing the interested public. The project will focus on 8 local products of high nutritional value:

  • Pieria Kiwis (PGI)
  • Naoussa Peaches (PDO)
  • Zagora Pelion Apples (PDO)
  • Maleme Chania Crete Oranges (PDO)
  • Prespes Florina Beans (giant elephants) (PGI)
  • Cretan Stamnagathi
  • Sykouri Almonds from the Ossa area
  • Edessa Cherries

In the second phase, the project focuses on business support and developing a comprehensive strategy for the commercial promotion of the health claims that will add value to the produced products.

It is clear that identifying and adding health claims to Greek products will give them significant added value, especially for exports.

Duration of Action

The duration of the research program is 12 months.

More Information

Dr. Dimitrios Kouretas, Professor, University of Thessaly

Tel: 2410565277, 6947892709

Email: [email protected]

Kalliopi Karaboiki, Capacity Building Associate, New Agriculture New Generation

Tel: 2106917986, 6972096122

Email: [email protected]

Agrocircularity: Applications on Farming

Short Description

The organization “New Agriculture New Generation” and the Region of Western Macedonia, in collaboration with the Cluster of Bioeconomy of Western Macedonia (CluBE), the Agronutritional Cooperative of Western Macedonia Region (AgrNutr), and the University of Western Macedonia (UoWM) are offering a free training and counseling program for agrocircularity and its appplications on farming. The program is implemented with the scientific guidance of experienced academics, led by Dr. Fokion Papathanasiou, University of Western Macedonia.

The Agrocircularity training program consists of four distinct training modules, each one offering training on one important and upcoming sector of farming. The four modules are:

  • Fruit-tree farming
  • Viticulture
  • Medicinal and aromatic plants
  • Beekeeping

The program is addressed to established farmers (between the age of 18-45) as well as to unemployed and young professionals who wish to work in the agrifood sector and other related professions.

Each module will target a group of 20 people, through a training course that will cover topics such as: innovative approaches to plant cultivation and protection in the context of sustainable farming, processing and standardization of agricultural products, utilization of agricultural waste, working together with end users, making use of funding tools, new policies on a European and national level, innovative business models, promotion and dissemination etc.

Each module’s training program covers 62 hours of training, with 31 hours being devoted to lectures and 31 hours to hands-on training on the field as well as counselling for planning and implementing business ideas.

At the end of the program a Certificate of Attendance will be given to participants.

Objective of the Program

The main objective of the program is to provide a solid starting point for unemployed people and young professionals who wish to work in the agrifood sector, as well as a source of specialized training in agrocircularity for established farmers.

Target group

The program provides training to established farmers (between the age of 18-45) as well as to unemployed and young professionals who wish to work in the agrifood sector and other related professions.

Participants must be willing to actively participate in the training program (i.e., attending at least 90% of the classes), interested in working in the agrifood sector, and be available to start actual work immediately after the training.

In addition, participants who are interested in the beekeeping module must not be allergic to bee stings!

Curriculum

The curriculum includes the following topics (per module, indicatively):

Fruit-tree farming

  • Fruit-tree ecology
  • Synergistic interaction between fruit-tree farming and beekeeping
  • Techniques for the cultivation of fruit-trees
  • Standardization, packaging, preservation of fruit-tree produces
  • Exploitation of by-products
  • Business plans

Viticulture

  • Organic and integrated viticulture
  • Maturation and quality in winemaking
  • Exploitation of waste and by-products of viticulture and circular economy
  • Standardization, packaging, quality control of products
  • Business plans

Medicinal and aromatic plants

  • Organic and integrated farming of plants
  • Exploitation of waste and by-products of aromatic and medicinal plants and circular economy
  • Synergistic interaction between medicinal and aromatic plant farming and beekeeping
  • Standardization, packaging, quality control of products
  • Business plans

Beekeeping

  • Beekeeping handling procedures
  • Queen rearing and royal jelly production
  • Bee diseases and pests
  • Beehive products, product trading
  • Business plans

Areas of activation of the 2021-22 training round

Region of Western Macedonia (including all regional units)

Duration of action

12 months

Attendance is mandatory. However, lectures will take place online. Physical presence is required only in the field training. Lessons will take place on 1 or 2 days (approximately) every month.

Additional Information

Angeliki Foutri

CluBE

Planner – Environmental manager

Tel: 6972242214

Email: [email protected]

Sheep & Goat: Enhancing Dairy & Meat Sector

The training programme is designed and implemented by the American Farm School and aims at supporting the livestock farming sector by offering a new business model for utilizing goat’s milk, as well as sheepmeat and goatmeat.

A Certificate of Attendance is provided at the end of the programme.

Objective of the Programme

The objective of the programme is to provide consulting and training in issues pertaining to livestock farming; to conduct research and develop new products made with goat’s milk; and to provide guidance on issues concerning the development and marketing of fresh and processed sheepmeat and goatmeat. Insofar as this is possible, the potential benefits of using existing domestic breeds will be highlighted; practices will be introduced with the aim of optimizing the two production activities; and the creation of future, pilot groups of young livestock farmers will be facilitated.

Who it is for

The programme provides consulting and training to at least 70 young persons between the ages of 18 and 40 every year for a period of three years. These individuals include prospective and young livestock farmers, future and current animal production, food and veterinary scientists, as well as professionals in sectors related to the production and processing of dairy products and meat.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes the following topics (indicatively):

  • Animal nutrition
  • Health and welfare of animals
  • Genetics and reproduction
  • Pasture management
  • Meat processing
  • Processing of dairy products
  • Basic principles of cheese-making
  • Food quality and safety
  • Financial management
  • Promotion and marketing of livestock products

Areas of activation of the 2019-20 training round

Central and Western Macedonia, Epirus, Thessaly, Eastern Macedonia & Thrace

Duration of action

12 months

For further info

Vicky Krystallidou
Strategic Project Management Office
American Farm School, 54 Marinou Antipa Street, P.O. Box 60097, 570 01, Thermi, Thessaloniki
Tel.: 2310- 492737

Livestock Farming and Dairy Technology

The training program is designed and implemented by the Agricultural University of Athens, under the scientific guidance of a host of experienced university professors headed by Assistant Professor G. Papadomichelakis, with many years of extensive experience in training professional livestock farmers.

The training program titled “Livestock Farming & Dairy Technology”, offers training in herd management, feeding, milk production and processing, as well as in financial and legislative issues to 60 young (3 regions, 20 beneficiaries/region) people every year.

The training program has a duration of 80 hours, of which 40 hours are allocated to theory and 40 hours are allocated to practical training in applications aiming to the control of feeding costs and production expenses, milk processing units and feed mills.

A Certificate of Attendance is provided at the end of the program.

Objective of the Program

The main objective of the program is to train young individuals in livestock farming and/or dairy technology, and to help them acquire skills and knowledge that they can either take back to the farm or dairy where they work, or use in order to start their own business.

At the same time, it aims to strengthen the presence of Greek sheep and goat dairy products both in the domestic and international markets

Who it is for

  • Unemployed or underemployed young individuals with little or no experience in sheep and goat farming, who seek specialized knowledge in theoretical and practical issues of the sector.
  • Young farmers who need professional training in order to apply modern farming practices.
  • Experienced farmers who need targeted consulting services regarding the recent advances in the dairy sector. During consulting, the farmers can investigate a wide range of subjects from herd management and milk production to financial management.
  • Limitations: the individuals must be fully willing to attend the intensive training program (90% presence is required).

Curriculum

The curriculum includes  the following topics (indicatively):

  • Sheep and goat breeding
  • Sheep and goat nutrition
  • Dairy product technology
  • Financial and legislative issues
  • Depending on the case, preparation of business plans and consulting according to the product or service that is to be produced/provided by special scientists.

Areas of activation of the 2019-20 training round

Regional Unit of Ioannina (Ioannina, March to May 2020)
Regional Unit of Agrinio (Agrinio, May to July 2020)
Regional Unit of Rethymno (Rethymno, January to March 2020)

Duration of action

Up to 90 days/3 months per region.
Attendance is mandatory.
Classes are held from Monday to Friday for 4 hours per day.

For further info

Artemis Rigou
Project Management Office (PMO) of New Agriculture for the New Generation
Agricultural University of Athens, 75, Iera Odos Street, Athens, 11855, tel.: 210-5294963, 210-5294964

Small Farm Adoption

The training programme is designed and implemented by the American Farm School. It provides consulting in relation to the establishment and operation of small family farms to 150 young individuals every year over a period of three years.

The programme’s modules concern consulting services in the form of annual support in the field, which have been specially adapted to the needs of participants. Consulting is also provided in issues of quality assurance, marketing and promotional actions.

A Certificate of Attendance is provided at the end of the programme.

Objective of the Programme

The objective of the programme is to support and provide guidance to young farmers who wish to do business in the farming sector or improve the performance of their existing farms, thus contributing to their sustainability.

Who it is for

  • Groups consisting of young producers with similar crops in the selected areas of action of the programme.
  • Experienced producers forming part of these groups, who play a consulting role by conveying their knowledge and experience to younger producers.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes the following topics (indicatively):

  • Propagating material
  • Fertilizing
  • Plant protection
  • Irrigation
  • Harvesting
  • Precision farming techniques
  • Standardization and marketing issues

During the implementation of the action, trainees have the opportunity to train on the job, i.e. while practising their activities.

Area of activation of the 2019-20 training round

Regions of Central and Western Macedonia, Thessaly, Phthiotis

Duration of action

12 months

For further info

Ilias Kalfas
Strategic Project Management Office
American Farm School, 54 Marinou Antipa Street, P.O. Box 60097, 570 01, Thermi, Thessaloniki
Tel.: 2310-492827

Sustainable production of legumes

The training programme is designed and implemented by the Agricultural University of Athens, under the scientific guidance of a host of experienced university professors headed by Ms Papastylianou, with many years of extensive experience in training professional farmers. The training programme titled “Sustainable production of legumes”, offers training in the production, processing and marketing of these plant species to 40 young farmers every year.

The training programme has a duration of 100 hours, of which 50 hours are allocated to theory and 50 hours are allocated to practical training in the field.

A Certificate of Attendance is provided at the end of the programme.

Objective of the Programme

The objective of the programme is to give young farmers the opportunity to do business in the area of sustainable production of legumes, thus contributing to the sustainability of the countryside. At the same time it aims to strengthen the presence of Greek legumes both in the domestic and international markets.

Who it is for

  • Young farmers, unemployed and underemployed in the sector, with little or no experience in the production of legumes, who wish to gain practical and theoretical knowledge in order to specialize in this particular type of farming.
  • Young farmers who need professional and specialised training.
  • Experienced farmers who need consulting as regards new production practices and who, with some general guidance, will be able to explore various issues extending from sowing to harvesting.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes the following topics (indicatively):

  • Transplanting and plant propagation
  • Organic farming
  • Harvesting
  • Topics in marketing, certification and financing tools

Areas of activation of the 2018-19 training round

Domokos
Lamia

Duration of action

5 months
Attendance is mandatory.
Classes are held for 2 or 3 days every 10-day period (approximately).

For further info

Dimitra Xenaki
Artemis Rigou
Project Management Office (PMO) of New Farming for the New Generation
Agricultural University of Athens, 75, Iera Odos Street, Athens, 11855, tel.: 210-5294963, 210-5294964

Aromatic & Medicinal Plants

The educational program was designed and implemented with the scientific guidance of professors from the Agricultural University of Athens, the action’s co-ordinator Professor G. Economou, with extensive experience in the field of MAPs and at the implementation of training programs for newcomers and professional farmers in the field of MAPs.

The MAPs training program provides theoretical and practical training on the production, processing and marketing of these plant species to create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people in the MAPs field.

The duration is 108 hours, of which 54 hours of theory and 54 hours of practical training in MAPs crops, propagating plants (certified nursery gardens) and processing products.

At the end of the program a follow-up certificate is issued.

Purpose of the Programme

The aim of the program is to give young farmers an opportunity to become active in the field of medicinal and aromatic plants, thus contributing to the sustainability of the countryside and establishing a network  for the promotion and marketing of local natural MAPs species through participatory business plans. At the same time, it aims to support the reinforcement of the presence of Greek MAPs not only in the domestic but also in the international market. The program was piloted in Thessaly in the previous trainining cycle. The next six months the program will be expanded to Crete in where the same circle of seminars will be held at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICH) on the production, processing and marketing of specific endangered MAPs species because of their uncontrolled harvest.

Who it is for

• Unemployed young people with no experience in the field of medicinal and aromatic plants with a secondary education diploma or a tertiary degree (agronomists, engineers, chemists, pharmacists, economists).
• Young farmers with agricultural land and equipment suitable for farming practices.
• Underemployed young people in family businesses in the medicinal and aromatic plants sector.
• Young farmers active in small and medium-sized enterprises in the field of medicinal and aromatic plants and wish to develop agrotourism services and products.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes the following topics (indicatively):

• Plant propagation
• Plant transplantanting and plant establishment
• Weed, irrigation and fertilizer management systems
• Digital Farming Practices
• Harvest and dryness.
• Essential oils extraction.
• Products standardization and marketing issues
• Where appropriate, drafting business plans & consulting depending on the product or service to be produced by specialist scientists.

Areas of activation of the 2019-20 training round

A new training course will start in Chania Crete (Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania – MAICH) for 15 young people who wish to be involved in the field of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.

Specifically, in the frame of the New Agriculture for A New Generation Program, the following semester will host a circle of seminars in the field of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants on the production, processing and marketing of specific MAPs species to 15 young people who want to deal with this industry.

Crete, due to its long tradition in the use of these plants and its unique biodiversity, is an ideal opportunity to apply innovations throughout the production and marketing chain of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. The Agricultural University of Athens and the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania under the coordinationof the New Agriculture for A New Generation Program will provide high quality education with the participation of specialized scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs from other Universities, Institutes and Industries.

Duration of the seminar

Up to 6 months training on local Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.
Presence is mandatory.
Courses are held 3 or 4 days each month (approximately).

For further info

Artemis Rigou
Project Management Office (PMO) of New Farming for the New Generation
Agricultural University of Athens, 75, Iera Odos Street, Athens, 11855, tel.: 210-5294963, 210-5294964

Apiculture

The training program is designed and implemented by the Agricultural University of Athens, under the scientific guidance of a host of experienced university professors headed by Mr. Goras, with many years of extensive experience in beekeeping education.

The training program titled “Apiculture”, offers training in two categories of trainees. One is for basic beekeeping education in Halkida (20 trainees) and the other is for advanced courses in the towns of Trikala and Larisa (40 trainees in total).

The training program has a duration of 100 hours, of which 60 hours are allocated to theory and 40 hours are allocated to practical training on beehives for the basic group, while 45 hours are allocated to theory and 55 hours are allocated to practical training on beehives for the advanced group.

A Certificate of Attendance is provided at the end of the program.

Objective of the Programme

The objective of the program is to serve as a good starting point for young beekeepers (basic group).

At the same time, it aims to strengthen the already beekeepers, providing them with knowledge and skills, which are essential for the professional approach.

Who it is for

  • Basic group: participants must me with none or small experience in beekeeping and must not be allergic to beestings. They must be willing to participate in the training program. Unemployed, farmers, low educated and local people will be preferred.
  • Advanced groups: participants must have significant beekeeping experience and already possess some bee colonies. Beneficiaries of previous years of the program, unemployed, farmers, low educated and local people will be preferred.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes the following topics (indicatively):

Basic group

  • Familiarity with the bees
  • Beehive inspection
  • Bee biology
  • Beekeeping equipment
  • Transports of beehives
  • Operations during the year
  • Brood diseases
  • Adult honeybees’ diseases
  • Pests
  • Bee products

Advanced group

  • Operations during the year – special cases
  • Brood diseases
  • Adult honeybees’ diseases
  • Pests
  • Annual plan for controlling varroosis and Nosemosis
  • Bee products
  • Organic beekeeping
  • Queen rearing
  • Production of royal jelly

Depending on the case, preparation of business plans and consulting according to product or service that is to be produced/provided by special scientists

Areas of activation of the 2019-20 training round

Halkida: Basic group
Larisa: Advanced group
Trikala: Advanced group

Duration of action

16 days per group. Classes will be held from December to June. During the winter months (December, January, February) will emphasize mainly in theoretical courses, while in the remaining months (March, April, May and June) practical courses will be held in the apiary.
Attendance is mandatory.

Useful information

Information will be provided on the exact dates and places of the trainings.The training will be provided with educational materials and textbooks.

For further info

Artemis Rigou
Project Management Office (PMO) of New Farming for the New Generation
Agricultural University of Athens, 75, Iera Odos Street, Athens, 11855, tel.: 210-5294963, 210-5294964

Poultry Farming

The training program is designed and implemented by the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), under the scientific guidance of a host of experienced university professors, researchers and professionals. The action is headed by assistant professor Michael Goliomytis, with many years of experience in extensive services and vocational training in animal production.

The training program entitled “Broiler Farming”, offers training in broiler, broiler parent stock and turkey production with the aim to develop required knowledge, skills and competences to 30 young farmers and newcomers in order to successfully run a farm with respect to animal welfare, the environment and the society.

The training program has a duration of 40 hours, of which 36 hours are allocated to theory and 4 hours are allocated to practical training in a poultry farm.

A Certificate of Attendance is provided at the end of the program.

Objective of the Program

The objective of the program is to provide young farmers with learning outcomes that will be shortly implemented by them in order to increase performance and consequently profitability of their farm with positive effects on sustainability of local communities.

At the same time, newcomers will have the advantage of designing and run properly a poultry farm from the start of its function which minimizes possible faults and mistakes that might have occurred without the participation in the proposed poultry farming training program.

Who it is for

Young individuals, living in the region of Epirus, that are:

  • broiler and/or broiler parent stock and/or turkey farmers,
  • unemployment and underemployment newcomers who intent to become broiler and/or broiler parent stock and/or turkey farmers, preferably individuals that have been applied and/or received financial support (for example, from the European Union and the Greek state) for establishment of a broiler and/or broiler parent stock and/or turkey farm.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes the following topics (indicatively):

Best management practices for farming of:

  • Broiler
  • broiler parent stock
  • turkeys
  • modern approaches in poultry feeding
  • On farm bio-security measures
  • Common diseases of broilers, broiler parent stock and turkeys
  • Designing a vaccination program, vaccine types, routes of administration, best practices
  • Poultry house design, facilities and equipment, new technologies and modern approaches
  • Poultry welfare
  • Production costs calculation
  • Environmental impact of a poultry farm

Area of activation of the 2019-20 training round

Ioannina

Duration of action

Two teaching courses of 15 trainees each in November 2019 and February 2020.
The duration of each training course will be 10 days, for two consecutive weeks (Monday to Friday), 4 teaching hours a day.
Attendance is mandatory.

For further info

Artemis Rigou
Project Management Office (PMO) of New Farming for the New Generation
Agricultural University of Athens, 75, Iera Odos Street, Athens, 11855, tel.: 210-5294963, 210-5294964

Smart farming: new technologies for sustainable crops

The training program is designed and implemented by the Agricultural University of Athens, under the scientific guidance of a host of experienced university professors headed by Thomas Bartzanas & Spyros Fountas associate professors, with many years of extensive experience in Greenhouses and Smart Farming Technologies.

The training program titled “New technologies for Sustainable Farming”, offers training in greenhouse and hydroponics systems, controlled environment agriculture, precision farming, application of smart farming techniques and technologies to 360 young people every year.

The training program has a duration of 80 hours, of which 40 hours are allocated to theory and 40 hours are allocated to practical training in the field and relative experimental facilities (i.e greenhouses).

A Certificate of Attendance is provided at the end of the program.

Objective of the Program

The objective of the program is to give young generation (including farmers) the opportunity to acquire or improve/update already available knowledge and skills in new smart farming technologies that can be applied in the primary agricultural production and lead to a more sustainable use of external inputs, thus leading to a smart crop production with reduced environmental footprint using hi-tech and smart technologies. The program will focus on controlled environment crop production (greenhouse and hydroponics systems) and to precision agriculture techniques and technologies.

At the same time, it aims to strengthen the presence of Greek agricultural products both in the domestic and international markets.

Who it is for

  • Unemployed young individuals without experience in greenhouses and smart farming technologies, who have graduated from high school or hold a higher-education degree.
  • Young farmers who own agricultural land / greenhouses and suitable machinery in order to apply farming practices.
  • Underemployed young individuals working in family businesses in the field of greenhouses and crop production.
  • Young farmers working in small and medium-sized enterprises in the field of greenhouses and smart farming crop production, who wish to develop agrotourism services and products.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes the following topics (indicatively):

  • Agriculture
  • Informatics
  • Biology and related to smart farming degrees Economics.

Depending on the case, preparation of business plans and consulting according to product or service that is to be produced/provided by special scientists

Areas of activation of the 2019-20 training round

  • Volos (Dec’19 – Jan’20). The training relates smart technologies and techniques for high quality products.
  • Marathonas (March – April 2020). The training relates smart technologies and techniques for high quality products.
  • Kyparissia (May – June’20).The training relates precision farming technologies.
  • Filiatra (May – June ’20). The training relates Greenhouses and Hydroponic Crops.
  • Chania (May – June ’20). There will be two training workshops, the first of which concerns greenhouse and hydroponics crops and the second concerns precision farming technologies.

Duration of action

80 hours duration
Attendance is mandatory.
Classes are held 12 days every month (approximately)

For further info

Artemis Rigou
Project Management Office (PMO) of New Farming for the New Generation
Agricultural University of Athens, 75, Iera Odos Street, Athens, 11855, tel.: 210-5294963, 210-5294964