Category: News

New Agriculture New Generation (NANG) received a significant honor on October 3, 2024, in London, where it was recognized by The Hellenic Initiative (THI) for its invaluable contribution to revitalizing Greece’s agrifood sector.

The award was presented at THI’s 8th Annual Gala in a prestigious ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel, attended by leaders from the global Greek business and academic communities, who voiced their strong support for the organization’s mission.

Ms. Tatiana Blatnik, THI Ambassador, presented the award to Ms. Effie Lazaridou, CEO, NANG.

Upon receiving the award, Ms. Lazaridou expressed her gratitude, stating: “This recognition from THI moved us deeply and filled us with hope. It shows that Greeks abroad not only understand the challenges we face but also care deeply about supporting meaningful causes. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts for this honor and look forward to having them by our side as we plant the seeds of change to ensure the future sustainability of Greece’s agrifood sector. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the continued support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), Rutgers University, and all those who have stood by us over the past six years. Their trust has provided us with the motivation and energy to keep moving forward.”

This award is yet another validation of the organization’s critical role in strengthening and restructuring Greece’s agrifood industry. Founded through the initiative and generous support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), “New Agriculture New Generation” has directly benefited more than 30,000 professionals in the primary sector and has helped develop numerous dynamic, export-oriented, and innovative enterprises. The organization has also played a key role in boosting vital agricultural sectors, such as beekeeping and poultry farming.

In addition, the organization continues to foster growth through international partnerships and innovative programs, collaborating with institutions such as the CITI Foundation, the FAO’s GFCM, and the European Union.

You can view highlights from the 8th Annual Gala in London here.

Watch the award ceremony video here.

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As part of the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), Effie Lazaridou, CEO of the organization ‘New Agriculture New Generation,’ participates in a special feature by Efimerida ton Syntakton regarding the importance of leadership in the agrifood sector and how it can contribute to the transformation of the industry. There is also a detailed description of the pioneering Agrifood Leadership program, which is the only specialized leadership program in the country, designed in collaboration with Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.

Read the article (in Greek) HERE.

The Ministry of Rural Development and Food and the organization ‘New Agriculture New Generation’ invite you to the event they co-organize within the framework of the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) titled: Youth Entrepreneurship in the Primary Sector. Strategies for promoting education, training, and advisory support for producers.

The event aims to present the challenges faced by youth entrepreneurship in the agrifood sector and the support it can receive through European policies as well as private initiatives.

The event will feature young successful farmers and entrepreneurs who will present their journeys and experiences from their participation in support programs during a roundtable discussion.

The Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr. Konstantinos Tsiaras, will deliver a welcoming address, while an intervention will be made by the Secretary General of Union Resources and Infrastructure, Mr. Dimitrios Papagiannidis. The discussion will be moderated by Ms. Efi Lazaridou, CEO of the ‘New Agriculture New Generation’ organization.

The event will take place on 07/09/2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the TIF venue, at the Ministry of Rural Development and Food’s booth (Booth 15 | Stand 34).

Event Program

10:00: Arrival

10:30: Event start – Welcoming address by the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr. Konstantinos Tsiaras

10:45: Remarks by Secretary General Mr. Dimitrios Papagiannidis

11:00: Brief intervention and panel presentation by the CEO of ‘New Agriculture New Generation,’ Ms. Efi Lazaridou

11:10 – 11:30: Roundtable discussion with:

• Zoi Vratskidou, Home-based business Agkathas Farm, Imathia
• Michalis Avdanas, Goat and sheep farmer, Elassona
• Ioannis Senko, Beekeeper, President of the Beekeeping Cooperative of Thessaly “Apis Era”
• Michalis Karagiannis, Agronomist, Chalkidona Thessaloniki & Project Manager, Agrifood Leadership

Moderator: Efi Lazaridou, CEO, New Agriculture New Generation

11:30 – 12:00: Open discussion with the audience

In a festive atmosphere, the Certificate of Completion Ceremony for participants of the 1st cycle of the Agrifood Leadership program (2023-2024) was successfully held on Friday, August 30, 2024, at the Open Farm Agora in the Central Vegetable Market of Athens.

Specifically, the event, attended by journalists and agrifood business executives, featured a brief review of the educational program and its achievements, followed by the awarding of Certificates of Completion to 14 Leaders who successfully completed the program.

More specifically, the Agrifood Leadership program is the first specialized leadership program for the agrifood sector in Greece, aiming to enhance leadership skills in up-and-coming talented professionals who hold leadership positions or aspire to play a dynamic role in the sector. It is a high-profile networking and education program modeled after similar programs in the USA.

The Agrifood Leadership program is implemented by the organization New Agriculture New Generation through a founding donation by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), with Rutgers University of the USA serving as the Technical and Strategic Advisor. The program is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food and supported by numerous companies and organizations, including: COMPO EXPERT, the Consortium of Cooperatives and Producer Groups of Imathia Prefecture, Batsolakis Meat School, the Chios Mastiha Growers Association, the Messinia Union, A.TH. KOUIMTZIS S.A., NuAqua, DAY GROUP, BAYER, COSMOCERT, and SKY EXPRESS.

Participants took part in 8 educational three-day sessions, during which they visited companies in the sector and decision-making centers in various parts of Greece. There was also a visit to Brussels, where they met with European institutions related to agrifood, as well as companies based in the city.

The trainees also participated in leadership role activities and online training. Overall, they completed over 90 hours of intensive high-level courses covering topics such as Leadership, Analytical Skills, Marketing Principles, Governance, Agricultural Economics and Policy, among others.

The goal of the program is to empower tomorrow’s Leaders in the Agrifood Sector, prioritizing sustainability, technology, participation, market orientation, collaboration, adaptability, and resilience. In the medium term, the program aims to create a community of dynamic professionals in the agrifood sector who will be in open communication and cooperation to contribute to the overall development of the productive ecosystem.

At the Certificate Ceremony, Mrs. Effie Lazaridou, CEO of the organization New Agriculture New Generation, delivered an address in which she stated, “The agrifood sector is at a critical crossroads and needs to redefine its role in the economy and society. We need producers, entrepreneurs, and professionals in the sector to lead this evolution, create a new vision, and design new strategies, overcoming today’s shortcomings and limitations.”

A video message was also delivered by Robert M. Goodman, Executive Dean Emeritus, University Distinguished Professor – Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources at Rutgers University, USA, who stated, “Congratulations on completing the Leadership Program of the New Agriculture New Generation organization. This program is the first of its kind to be offered in Europe. Its main goal is to create, over time, a community of leaders in agriculture and food in Greece. Leaders who not only know how to better manage their businesses but who also care about and promote the cross-sectoral needs that affect everyone—strengthening not only individual businesses but also supporting the common needs of the sector and the broader public.”

Dimitris Voloudakis, Capacity Building Director and Program Manager, also gave a speech, saying, “Our ambition is to cultivate together the values and skills necessary for the creation of the future leaders that the Greek and global agriculture and food sectors need so much. The challenges are great. In less than 20 years, the number of farmers in our country will be reduced to a third. The countryside is at risk of desertification, and our land is at risk of desertification due to climate change. The sector needs those who will lead producers towards more sustainable food and energy production systems. The next steps of the program include the creation of a networking, communication, and support framework that will also welcome future generations of program graduates.”

Members of the Program Advisory Committee were also present at the event, including Mrs. Dina Lazari, Member of the Board of Directors, Hellenic Exchanges – Athens Stock Exchange (ATHEX), Mr. Panos Hamakiotis, Regional Director EMEA and Managing Director of COMPO EXPERT Hellas & Spain, and Mrs. Anastasia Sarhosoglou, Agronomist and Food Scientist, MSc, MEd.

Supporters of the Certificate Ceremony: Lafazanis Winery.

The 14 Leaders who successfully completed the program are:

• Andreas Akratos (Athens) – Interpreter-Translator, Investor in hydroponic greenhouses and poultry farms
• Kyriakos Gikas (Igoumenitsa) – Asparagus and other crop producer, Cooperative member
• Georgios Dalianis (Halkidiki) – Agronomist, Founder of CERELCO AGROTRADE
• Ioanna Doufexi (Athens) – Agronomist, Food Technologist, Head of Studies at Batsolakis Meat School
• Christos Zacharakis (Agrinio) – Economist, Marketing Manager, Producer (corn, alfalfa, citrus fruits)
• Fani Zacharouli (Larissa) – Agronomist-Agricultural Economist, Executive at an agricultural consultancy company
• Dimitris Misiakas (Veria) – Forester, Project Manager at the Imathia Producer Groups Consortium
• Eleni Bikou (Thessaloniki) – Economist, CFO at AGROTECH
• Konstantinos Bogis (Chios) – Economist, CFO at the Chios Mastiha Growers Association
• Konstantinos Nikolaidis (Halkidiki) – Agronomist, Olive producer and entrepreneur
• Georgia Panagopoulou (Athens) – Chemical Engineer, Digital Marketer for wine promotion, Wine branding entrepreneur
• Stefania Rizou (Karditsa-Athens) – Financial Consultant/Auditor, Agrifood Startup founder
• Ioannis Senko (Larissa) – Beekeeper, President of the Beekeeping Cooperative, Youtuber
• Christina Chatzimichail (Larissa) – Chemical Engineer, Shareholder in an agricultural supplies company

Undoubtedly, the success of this 1st cycle of the Agrifood Leadership program, implemented by New Agriculture New Generation with the contribution of Rutgers University, creates a significant legacy for the future, as it demonstrates that there is talent interested in developing new knowledge and acquiring the skills that will lead to the overall transformation of the agrifood sector in Greece.

The new cycle of the Agrifood Leadership program begins in fall 2024, with applications open until September 15, 2024.

DS Smith, a leading manufacturer of sustainable corrugated cardboard packaging solutions in Greece, is actively contributing to the advancement of the country’s agri-food sector by partnering for the second consecutive year with the organization ‘New Agriculture New Generation’ to support the industry, this time by backing the TrophyΤροφή program. Specifically, DS Smith Hellas will support three meet-ups of the program, with the main theme being ‘Reducing the use of plastic in the agri-food sector,’ which will take place during the last four months of 2024 at three universities across the country.

But what exactly is TrophyΤροφή?

TrophyΤροφή is an innovative initiative that highlights and rewards pioneering business ideas and startups in the fields of agritechnology, food technology, and agrologistics, offering products and services that utilize innovative technologies, even at the early stages of development (pre-seed). So far, thanks to this program, 122 startups from this sector have already been supported.

The meet-ups are an integral part of TrophyΤροφή. There, students, startuppers, new entrepreneurs, and researchers come into contact with research institutions, investors, mentors, and companies, working together to develop new groundbreaking ideas through hands-on workshops.

For DS Smith, the adoption of sustainable development practices and circular economy is at the core of its activities, and the transformation of the agrifood sector can be framed by innovative and environmentally friendly packaging solutions that will enhance the added value of the final products. In this context, the company supports in the three meet-ups the thematic section titled: ‘Reducing the use of plastic in the agrifood sector.’

Mr. George Filippoglou, DS Smith Managing Director for the Greece cluster, stated: ‘We are particularly pleased that for another year we stand by New Agriculture New Generation, as through this collaboration we have contributed to strengthening the agri-food sector while highlighting the crucial role that corrugated cardboard packaging plays in promoting the country’s sustainable development.’

The three Meet-ups supported by DS Smith Hellas are the following:

• Trophy Meet-up co-organized with the Agricultural University of Athens.
• Trophy Meet-up co-organized with the University of the Peloponnese.
• Trophy Meet-up co-organized with the University of Macedonia.

Ms. Effie Lazaridou, CEO of the organization New Agriculture New Generation, stated: ‘TrophyΤροφή is a meaningful initiative that connects the academic community with the industry and the market in the critical agri-food sector. Every year it brings hundreds of students and researchers into contact with innovative companies through the TrophyΤροφή meet-ups that are held at universities across Greece, providing an effective platform for the exchange of business ideas and experiences. More than 700 students have participated in the program’s meet-ups over the past two years, working on developing innovative solutions and starting to design their first entrepreneurial steps. DS Smith, a pioneering company in corrugated cardboard packaging that invests in sustainable practices, supports 3 meet-ups, enriching the content of the TrophyΤροφή initiative.’

DS Smith is headquartered in London and is a member of the FTSE 100, operating in 34 countries and employing approximately 30,000 people, with its history dating back to packaging production companies from 1940. In Greece, the company has been present for the last 65 years with factories in Corinth, Thessaloniki, and Crete, employing over 400 workers in total. DS Smith Hellas actively supports the TrophyΤροφή initiative of the organization New Agriculture New Generation, with the aim of boosting innovation and sustainability in Greece’s agrifood ecosystem through a substantial and reliable effort to accelerate startup entrepreneurship.

TrophyΤροφή has been successfully implemented since 2019 by the organization New Agriculture New Generation, thanks to the founding grant of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).

An event with international interest in the field of aquaculture was held on Tuesday, June 11th, at the Museum of Cycladic Art, organized by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the organization New Agriculture New Generation, with the support of the Hellenic Aquaculture Producers Organization (HAPO) and the Panhellenic Association of Ichthyologists (PASTI).

The event marked the beginning of the training and business development program “Promoting small-scale aquaculture sustainability in Southeast Mediterranean,” which will involve 5 small-scale aquaculture units from the Mediterranean, selected after an open competition by the GFCM in their countries.

Greetings were delivered by Ms. Maria Damanaki, former Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Union, Mr. Houssam Hamza, Aquaculture Officer of the GFCM, and Ms. Effie Lazaridou, CEO of the organization New Agriculture New Generation.

Ms. Damanaki emphasized the importance of aquaculture for the future of food security and praised the significance of this initiative and its implementation in Greece. Mr. Hamza noted, “Small-scale aquaculture is an integral part of Mediterranean heritage and significantly contributes to the Mediterranean diet. Supporting and modernizing tools to ensure the well-being of aquaculturists, aquatic food products, and the environment is of vital importance.” Ms. Lazaridou presented the general philosophy of the “Promoting small-scale aquaculture sustainability in Southeast Mediterranean” program and its importance, stating among other things, “We are proud that Greece is a leader in the field of aquaculture. The food produced from aquaculture can provide a sustainable and nutritious source with a lower carbon footprint compared to other animal production activities and support food security in the Mediterranean. In this context, it is an honor for our organization to collaborate with the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, which entrusted us with such an important initiative. As an organization, we had the opportunity to adapt our exclusive business acceleration methodologies to serve a promising sector that can become a sustainable solution for feeding humanity. We are convinced that this effort will mark the beginning of further initiatives for a sustainable food value chain from aquatic ecosystems.”

Three particularly interesting thematic discussions on the aquaculture sector followed.

The first panel, titled “Trends in the aquaculture industry at the international and regional level,” featured participants Leonidas Papacharisis, Scientific Advisor of the Hellenic Aquaculture Producers Organization (HAPO), Vlasis Tsesos, CEO of Agritrack, and Ioannis Tsovenis, Founder of MicroPhykos, moderated by Mr. Alexandros Nousias, Country Director of Envolve Entrepreneurship. The discussion focused on new trends already shaping the industry, such as the use of new IoT technologies, the choice to utilize new species, such as algae, and the importance of producing and utilizing data generated from the entire value chain of the industry, also highlighting the contribution of technology to its sustainability.

The second panel, titled “Linking research and industry advancements to the market,” featured Associate Professor Mr. Manolis Malandrakis from the Agricultural University of Athens and Mr. Panos Kalogiourgas, Strategy Manager of Deloitte, moderated by Mr. Antonis Papadopoulos, Director of Business Development at New Agriculture New Generation. The discussion focused on how academic research can contribute to the industry’s development with new production methods, the introduction of new species, and the creation of efficient healthy foods while being directly connected to market needs and supporting the development of new innovative solutions for aquaculture.

The third and final panel, titled “Highlighting the role of Producer Organizations, Associations, and Chambers of Commerce in the industry’s progress and competitiveness,” featured Ms. Ismini Bogdanou, Marketing and Communication Director of the Hellenic Aquaculture Producers Organization (HAPO), and Dr. Michalis Chatzievstathiou, Member of the Board of the Panhellenic Association of Ichthyologists (PASTI), moderated by Mr. George Paximadis, aquaculture expert of the GFCM. Through a very interesting dialogue, the role of synergies in the sector was highlighted, the need for the public and private sectors to connect and interact, and the importance of continuous information for all productive parts of the industry to be competitive and sustainable.

The event concluded with the awarding of executives from 5 small-scale aquaculture units selected to participate in the training and skills development program. The units come from the following countries: Egypt, Algeria, Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia, and the awarded executives will participate in a business acceleration program, which will include: a) An intensive ten-day training workshop in Greece from 12/6 to 21/6. The training workshops, taught by an international educational team, cover topics such as business development, innovation, sustainability, technological trends, safety, and sales. b) Visits to model aquaculture units in our country, as well as research laboratories, to be informed about Greek expertise in the sector. c) 100 hours of personalized consulting from specialized advisors to improve their businesses.

The holding of this event for the aquaculture sector in Athens and the choice of Greece as the implementation site of the international program highlights the significant role our country holds in the sector and the prospects that are forming for it to become a point of international interest.”

The organization New Agriculture New Generation announces the launch of the “Open Olive Cultivation Academy.” This new educational initiative is designed in collaboration with the Municipality of Northern Kynouria and the Chamber of Arcadia, aiming to support and develop the primary sector of the region. It is implemented by the New Agriculture New Generation organization through the founding donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).

Olive oil production in Northern Kynouria is one of the most significant agricultural activities, with production exceeding 3,000 tons annually. Despite this success, Greece has one of the lowest percentages of trained farmers in the European Union, making the improvement of knowledge transfer systems imperative.

Program Objective: The “Open Olive Cultivation Academy” aims to strengthen the olive cultivation sector in the Municipality of Northern Kynouria through knowledge transfer. Comprehensive and intensive training seminars will provide participants with basic knowledge and practical skills in all phases of olive cultivation, production, and marketing.

The seminars will cover the following modules:

• Preparation and installation of an olive grove
• Olive tree physiology
• Cultivation practices
• Plant protection & climate change
• Quality
• Processing and marketing

The seminar instructors will include expert scientists from the New Agriculture New Generation organization, external collaborators, market executives, academics, and university professors.

Target Audience: The initiative is addressed to olive growers in the Municipality of Northern Kynouria, whether they are full-time or part-time farmers. Additionally, professionals from the entire olive oil value chain, such as olive mill owners, processors, and traders, can participate.

Priority will be given to young professional producers under the age of 45, followed by other professional producers of any age, based on the evaluation of the applications.

Action Area: Municipality of Northern Kynouria.

Action Duration: The initiative will start on June 28 and will be completed in early October, with a total duration of 52 training hours covering six (6) two-day sessions.

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With highly engaging training sessions and a dense schedule of visits, the eighth three-day event of the Agrifood Leadership program, the first specialized Leadership program in Agrifood implemented by the organization New Agriculture New Generation in Greece, was concluded.

The educational three-day event, which is also the last of the program for this year, took place in Athens, Loutraki, and Nemea from May 24th to 26th, sponsored by NuAqua. The goal of the Agrifood Leadership program is to give participants the opportunity to become members of a community of leaders, network with esteemed professionals in the Agrifood sector, and discuss new trends in production, processing, and supply chain management.

The main instructor of the three-day event was Mr. Stathis Klonaris, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Agricultural Economics & Development at the Agricultural University of Athens, whose lectures focused on the Common Agricultural Policy and the Greek strategic plan. All aspects of the common agricultural policy and the opportunities it offers to those engaged in the Agrifood sector were thoroughly analyzed. Noteworthy was the lecture on the importance of certifications in agricultural production given by Mr. Vasilis Kitsos, Technical Director from COSMOCERT, which participates as a program and certification sponsor by providing 10 free certifications for organic products to the participating producers of Agrifood Leadership.

Participants of the program had a dense schedule of visits and presentations during the three days. Specifically, on Friday, a visit was made to Piraeus Bank, where the Agrifood Leadership team discussed with the leadership of agricultural banking, while the same day included a visit to the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, particularly to the Services responsible for the implementation of the Rural Development Program and the Strategic Plan.

An excellent impression was made by the visit to the bottling plant of the natural mineral water eonio Loutraki by NuAqua, where the program participants had the opportunity to witness firsthand a success story of Greek processing.

The training sessions on Saturday and Sunday were held at Lafazanis Winery in Nemea, which were combined with visits to the winery’s vineyards and production facilities.

NuAqua was the sponsor of the three-day event, and we thank them for their contribution to the realization of the event and for the tour of the bottling plant facilities.

The Agrifood Leadership by the organization New Agriculture New Generation is the first specialized Leadership program in Agrifood in Greece. It lasts 90 hours and includes 8 experiential three-day events with training sessions, systematic networking actions, field visits to decision-making centers of the Agrifood sector, leadership role-playing activities, as well as 2 online training sessions. The program modules include, among others, basic concepts such as Leadership, Analytical Skills, Marketing Principles, Governance, Agricultural Economy and Policy, etc. The goal of the program is to empower the future Leaders of the Agrifood Sector to prioritize sustainability, technology, participation, market orientation, collaboration, adaptability, and resilience.

The Agrifood Leadership program is implemented by the organization New Agriculture New Generation through the founding donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). The Technical and Strategic Advisor is Rutgers University of the USA.

Sponsors of the Experiential Three-Day Events include COMPO EXPERT, KOUIMTZIS Group, Batsolakis Meat School, the Chios Mastiha Growers Association, the Consortium of Cooperatives of Producer Groups of Imathia, the Union of Messinia, and NuAqua. The International Visit Sponsor is DayGroup. The Program Sponsor is BAYER. The Program and Certification Sponsor is COSMOCERT. The Air Transport Sponsor is SKY express. The program is under the auspices of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

The “Restarting Beekeeping in Thessaly” initiative, implemented by the organization New Agriculture New Generation, continues successfully. In April, the training program “Natural Disasters: Protection and Restoration of Beekeeping Capital,” which is part of this initiative, took place in Karditsa with significant participation.

The training workshop, held at the ELGO Dimitra Karditsa facility, aimed to improve beekeeping practices and enhance the overall health of bee colonies.

The program’s goal is to strengthen the resilience of bee colonies and reduce the impacts of climate change by transferring knowledge and practices from specialized scientists. The training was conducted by Mr. Alexandros Gkousiaris, a professional beekeeper and beekeeping trainer, who focused on creating an annual bee management plan and analyzed the measures beekeepers should take before, during, and after a natural disaster. Additionally, the benefits of queen rearing and native genetic material were discussed. The training also included Mr. Dimitris Voloudakis, Capacity Building Director of New Agriculture New Generation, who holds a Ph.D. specializing in the impacts of Climate Change on Agriculture. He discussed the effects of climate change on agriculture in general and beekeeping specifically.

The workshop was attended by 40 beekeepers and lasted 4 hours. The participants showed great interest, asking many questions related to the workshop’s themes, highlighting the local beekeepers’ need for access to specialized knowledge.

These trainings are conducted in collaboration with the Agricultural University of Athens and are co-financed by New Agriculture New Generation through the founding donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), the Region of Thessaly, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, and the company APIVITA.

New Agriculture New Generation thanks ELGO Dimitra for providing the venue free of charge.

The “Restarting Beekeeping in Thessaly” initiative also includes the program “Queen Rearing: Restoration and Preservation of Endemic Genetic Material,” which has been underway since April 2024, attracting interest from over 300 local beekeepers. The program aims to support at least 300 affected professional beekeepers in Thessaly by providing 27,000 queen cells. These initiatives will contribute not only to repairing the damage caused by Daniel but also to developing the conditions for the future strengthening of the beekeeping sector in Thessaly.