Category: News

The organization New Agriculture New Generation and the company Barba Stathis collaborated on the design and implementation of a specialized training program aimed at the partner producers of the company. The goal was to further develop their technical skills on current themes in the agri-food sector.

The training program included a series of practical sessions on regenerative agriculture, the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and climate change. These training sessions took place from February to April 2024 in Barba Stathis’s main cultivation areas, such as Amyntaio in Florina, Chalki in Larissa, Apollonia in Thessaloniki, Kilkis, and Giannitsa in Pella.

More specifically, focusing on developing the technical skills of participating producers, the training themes were structured as follows:

1. Regenerative agriculture, use of specialized nutrition products, regenerative and organic farming practices.
2. Presentation of the rights model and ecological schemes of the New CAP 2023-2027, focusing on “Rural Development Measures,” group production contract farming, financial support, and the strategic plan specifically for the company’s crops.
3. Climate change and agriculture, adaptation technologies and mitigation of negative impacts, as well as carbon farming.

The collaboration between New Agriculture New Generation and Barba Stathis strengthens the primary sector by transferring expertise from universities and market professionals to the participants. With a sense of responsibility, the company continues to practically support its partner producers across the country, focusing on providing incentives for engaging with Greek land.

This training program is part of the design and implementation of specialized programs by New Agriculture New Generation to provide training services to companies in the agri-food sector.

New Agriculture New Generation announces the launch of the “Social Farming 360” program, funded and supported by the Citi Foundation, in direct collaboration with the General Secretariat for Anti-Crime Policy of the Ministry of Citizen Protection, and with the participation of ActionAid and Pylh Eleftherias. The program aims to enhance food security, develop skills in vulnerable social groups, and develop new social farming products.

Food security is one of the top global challenges, with more than 770 million people suffering from some form of malnutrition. In Greece, sustainable food production, especially at a time when agricultural production is severely affected by phenomena resulting from the climate crisis, becomes a primary need.

With secured funding from the Citi Foundation and in close collaboration with the General Secretariat for Anti-Crime Policy, “Social Farming 360” is developed into a multifaceted, practical, two-year program. The program supports sustainable food production and distribution in correctional facilities in Greece, the training of inmates, the creation of employment opportunities in the agricultural sector, the optimization of existing crops such as olive farming and medicinal and aromatic plants, and the upgrading of the agricultural technical knowledge of correctional facility staff. Additionally, the program includes the development of soft skills and skills for professional integration and reintegration, and psychosocial training in collaboration with ActionAid and Pylh Eleftherias.

The General Secretariat for Anti-Crime Policy of the Ministry of Citizen Protection supports the program by providing four agricultural correctional facilities: Agia Chania, Tiryntha Argolida, Kassavetia Volos, and Kassandra Halkidiki, and two special detention centers: Women’s Detention Center and the Eleonas Thiva Drug Rehabilitation Center for Inmates.

“Social Farming 360” significantly contributes to transforming agricultural activities in Greek correctional facilities and actively supports both the reintegration of inmates and food security in the detention centers and the communities where they are located.

It is worth noting that New Agriculture New Generation is one of 50 organizations worldwide to receive $500,000 donations from the Citi Foundation to support programs focusing on four key areas: food access, food availability, economic affordability, and community resilience as part of the first Citi Foundation Global Innovation Challenge. This is a new $25 million holistic funding model to identify and provide philanthropic support to NGOs developing innovative solutions to the social and economic challenges facing low-income communities.

Citi Foundation’s – Voices from the Field

Emilios Kyriakou, CEO of Citi Greece, Cyprus, Malta:

“Safe, healthy, and nutritious food in adequate quantities is fundamental to everyone’s well-being, and continuous effort and collaboration at all levels are required to achieve this. There is an interconnection between environmental, social, political, and economic factors that exacerbate this difficult reality. We hope that the Citi Foundation’s new initiative ‘Global Innovation Challenge-food security’ will contribute to solving the problem. I wish success to the ‘Social Farming 360’ program of New Agriculture New Generation and to our volunteers who are eager to help.”

Effie Lazaridou, CEO of New Agriculture New Generation:

“We are proud to have the opportunity to contribute to transforming agricultural activities in agricultural prisons and to actively support both the reintegration of inmates and food security in the detention centers and the communities where they are based. The trust of the Citi Foundation honors us and motivates us even more to work, along with the General Secretariat for Anti-Crime Policy, towards sustainable food production, especially at a time when the climate crisis significantly affects agricultural productivity.”

Dimitra Lygoura, General Secretary for Anti-Crime Policy:

“With trust in the value of the ‘Social Farming 360’ program, I express my support for this initiative. The program is a valuable opportunity for the reintegration of vulnerable groups into our society and the creation of a more sustainable and inclusive social environment. With our participation and support for this program, we seek development that focuses on the individual and their place in our society. I congratulate the New Agriculture New Generation organization and the Citi Foundation for their initiative, and I am confident that this collaboration will have positive results on multiple levels.”

Makis Drakopoulos, Director of Programs and Institutional Funding, ActionAid:

“Through this program, which is based on ActionAid’s expertise in the work integration of people at risk of social exclusion, our goal is to help inmates develop their skills and gain the confidence to achieve their professional reintegration. We are happy and proud of the expansion of our programs in the field of education and reintegration of inmates in correctional facilities.”

Tina Annet Torronen, President, Pylh Eleftherias:

“Pylh Eleftherias, with many years of experience in implementing psychosocial support programs in correctional facilities, will contribute to the success of the program by enhancing the psychosocial framework and reintegration prospects of the inmates.”

The bee plays a key role in the natural environment and the productive agri-food ecosystem as a pollinator of plants. Specifically, 90% of flowering plants and 71% of plants responsible for producing 90% of food depend directly on bees for pollination and reproduction.

Unfortunately, bees are at risk as human intervention and climate change create serious problems for bee populations, which can lead to severe consequences for ecosystem balance and global food security. According to the UN, current species extinction rates are 100 to 1,000 times higher than normal, and 35% of invertebrate pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies, and about 17% of vertebrate pollinators, such as bats, are globally threatened with extinction.

Because the role of bees is extremely important for our survival, the UN has established May 20 as “World Bee Day.”

For New Agriculture New Generation, the beekeeping sector is of particular interest, and it systematically invests in its complete transformation through the optimization of endemic genetic material and the training of thousands of professional beekeepers across Greece. Although our country has significant room for improvement, it remains an important honey producer with an annual production of approximately 30,000 tons.

New Agriculture New Generation has implemented 11 programs for beekeeping from 2018 to the present. These programs include beekeeper training, beekeeper training programs on queen rearing, as well as the demonstration and implementation of royal cell inoculations for the production of quality queens, selected genetic material from trained queen breeders to hundreds of beekeepers in the areas of Evia and Thessaly. Our programs have given special emphasis to supporting the affected areas of Thessaly (from storms “Ianos” and “Daniel”) and Evia, which was affected by devastating fires in 2021.

In the current beekeeping season, thousands of royal cells are being delivered free of charge in Thessaly. Additionally, a bee feed mixer was purchased and delivered to the Istiéa Beekeeping Cooperative “The Hive,” and a beekeeping park with a capacity of approximately 15 positions and 4,000 hives has been created in the Noel-Baker private forest in Northern Evia, thanks to the organization.

One of our most important programs is queen rearing, as the queen plays a primary role in a hive. Queen rearing, or the production of quality new queens from selected and endemic genetic material, contributes to the creation of strong, productive colonies. At the same time, it strengthens endemic bee breeds, which are better adapted to our local environment. It is very important that those trained as queen breeders can gain additional income from practicing this profession.

For example, 17 specialized queen breeders trained in the successful program “Queen Rearing: Utilization, Conservation, and Improvement of Bee Genetic Material in Thessaly” performed more than 800 inoculations during 2022 and 2023. This action has already received significant awards in Greece, such as the Bravo Sustainability Award 2022 in the “Ecosystem and Biodiversity Protection” category and the GOLD Environmental Award in the “Sustainable Agriculture” category.

Of course, our organization’s training also covers other themes of production optimization and emphasizes adopting practices to address climate change.

It should also be noted that many beekeepers have participated in other programs of our organization, such as the agri-food business acceleration program “Agroanélixis-Farmers of the Future” and “TrophyΤροφή,” through which they gained access to new business techniques, advisory support, and new networks of partners. Many of the businesses that participated in these programs are now healthy, outward-looking units.

The bee, with the honey it offers us and its pollination role, needs our protection. At New Agriculture New Generation, we know very well its role, which is why we will continue to be actively involved in the beekeeping sector.

The 5th consecutive year of the successful agri-food business acceleration program, “AgroAnelixi – Farmers of the Future,” has been announced by New Agriculture New Generation. This program targets cooperatives, processing units, businesses, producer groups, farmers, livestock farmers, beekeepers, and home-based enterprises that process or wish to process their production to create new differentiated products or further develop the products they already produce. Applications can be submitted until Sunday, June 2nd.

In this 6-month acceleration program, a total of 15 businesses will be selected to participate, including 5 from the Municipality of Servia, 4 from the Region of Crete, and the remaining 6 from across Greece.

The selected businesses will participate in educational workshops where they will receive practical business knowledge, insights, and guidance for creating new differentiated products. They will also receive personalized consulting support from experienced market professionals, tailored to their specific needs, at no financial cost.

To date, the program has supported 69 agri-food businesses from all over Greece. In addition to business training, guidance, and personalized consulting services, these businesses have received a total of €250,000 in financial support for the development of new services and products. Over 70 new food products have been developed and are currently available in the market with the contribution of the program.

The “AgroAnelixi” accelerator is implemented by the organization New Agriculture New Generation through the founding grant of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). The participation from the Region of Crete is sponsored by Attica Bank, while the participation from the Municipality of Servia is sponsored by the Municipality of Servia.

The program supports agri-food businesses aiming to shape a new entrepreneurial mindset in the sector and the development of new differentiated food products through sustainable business efforts.

Application Submissions

The application period for the “AgroAnelixi – Farmers of the Future” acceleration program will last until Sunday, June 2nd. Interested parties can learn more about the eligibility criteria, terms, and conditions of the program and submit their applications online at www.agroanelixi.gr.

The seventh experiential weekend of the Agrifood Leadership program, the first specialized leadership program in Agri-Food implemented by the New Agriculture New Generation organization, has concluded.

The seventh educational weekend took place in Larissa from April 19 to 21, sponsored by the company ATH. KOUIMTZIS S.A. The Agrifood Leadership program aims to give participants the opportunity to become part of a community of leaders, network with established professionals in the Agri-Food sector, and discuss new trends in production, processing, and the supply chain.

During the weekend, participants gained valuable knowledge on selecting appropriate markets and distribution channels for their products or services, implementing targeted marketing, and enhancing their market presence, with training by Mr. Babbi Filadarli, Owner of Global Greece & Export Marketing Coach. They also visited Bee Zeus Apiculture, where they discussed with Beekeeper-Breeder Mr. Ioannis Senko, and ARELAND Nuts Company, where they conversed with Mr. George Tsinooulis, President & CEO.

The Agrifood Leadership program of the New Agriculture New Generation organization is the first specialized Leadership program in Agri-Food in Greece. It lasts 90 hours and includes 8 experiential weekends with training, systematic networking activities, site visits to decision-making centers in the agri-food sector, leadership role activities, and 2 online training sessions.

The program’s modules include basic concepts such as Leadership, Analytical Skills, Marketing Principles, Governance, Agricultural Economics and Policy, and more. The goal of the program is to empower tomorrow’s Leaders in the Agri-Food Sector to prioritize sustainability, technology, inclusivity, market orientation, collaboration, adaptability, and resilience.

The Agrifood Leadership program is implemented by the New Agriculture New Generation organization through the founding donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). The technical and strategic advisor is Rutgers University, USA.

Sponsors of the Experiential Weekends include COMPO EXPERT, ATH. KOUIMTZIS S.A., Batsolakakis Meat School and DayGroup, the Chios Mastiha Growers Association, the Consortium of Cooperatives of Producers’ Groups of Imathia, and the Union of Messinia. Program sponsors are BAYER and COSMOCERT. The air transport sponsor is SKYEXPRESS. The program is under the auspices of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

The conclusions from independent reports on the socioeconomic impact of the New Agriculture New Generation organization can be characterized as particularly satisfactory.

Specifically, in its 5 years of operation, the organization has supported more than 29,600 beneficiaries and professionals in the agri-food sector, with 86% of participants expressing complete satisfaction with their involvement in our programs, and 79% of beneficiaries improving their production processes.

Approximately one in three professionals and self-employed individuals who participated in these programs significantly improved their business efficiency and increased their profit margins.

The reports indicate, among other things, that every euro invested through New Agriculture New Generation generates 3.9 euros in the real economy.

These figures derive from the Independent Reports on Socioeconomic Impact Assessment and Performance Evaluation conducted by BDO and Deloitte, based on surveys, continuous measurements, personal interviews, and comparison of results.

Undoubtedly, the positive outcomes highlighted in these reports certify in the best possible way the work that New Agriculture New Generation has accomplished in recent years and serve as a guarantee for the organization’s future prospects.

You can read and download our 5 year Report here.

For the 4th consecutive year, the organization joins the Delphi Economic Forum as a Programming Partner, presenting, in collaboration with Rutgers University, a panel discussion on the skills that modern professionals in agriculture need to possess.

BEYOND THE FIELD – CULTIVATING THE RIGHT SKILLS FOR THE MODERN FARMER

|Wednesday, April 10, 2024, 19:50, Anemolia Hotel, Arachova|

A panel discussion focusing on the skills required by contemporary professionals in agriculture to address the challenges of the industry.

Participants include:

Effie Lazaridou: CEO, New Agriculture New Generation Erick Doyle: Owner, Readington River Buffalo Company | President, NJ State Board of Agriculture, USA Dimitris Voloudakis: Capacity Building Director, New Agriculture New Generation Miltiadis Charenes: Farmer of the Year 2023, American Farm School alumni Nikos Kyriakidis: Government Affairs Manager, South Europe Yara International

Coordinator: Lena Paraskeva, Journalist, Star Central Greece

New Agriculture New Generation supports the organization of the Delphi Economic Forum 2024 as a programming partner, in collaboration with Rutgers University.

The organization New Agriculture New Generation and BAYER Hellas announce the granting of three scholarships for attending the specialized and certified training program for exports of agrifood products AGRIFOOD EXPORTS 360°, with the aim of supporting young professionals engaged in export activities in the agrifood sector.

Specifically, BAYER Hellas provides two scholarships for executives of companies engaged in export activities or interested in exporting their products, as well as one scholarship for a company led by a woman, a female cooperative, or a business where the majority of employees are women, aiming to support female entrepreneurship.

For the scholarship targeting female professionals in agrifood, an open call will be announced to all interested candidates through the website of the organization New Agriculture New Generation, from March 20 to March 26. Interested parties can learn more about the program, eligibility criteria, and submit their application here.

AGRIFOOD EXPORTS 360° is the first specialized and certified professional training program in Greece for agrifood exports, implemented for the fifth consecutive year by the organization New Agriculture New Generation, through the founding donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). The program serves as an effective tool for entrepreneurs, business executives, cooperatives, and producers who wish to effectively promote their products and services in foreign markets.

The agrifood sector now, more than ever, needs to ensure the effectiveness and success of its export businesses. A crucial link in the chain is the specialized human capital that can effectively staff export-oriented enterprises. The goal of this program is to provide participants with substantive and practical knowledge and skills, focusing on the most modern techniques in the field of agrifood product exports.

Through a comprehensive 66-hour online program, participants will gain substantive and practical knowledge and skills with an emphasis on product and technological requirements for exports, marketing strategies, market research, customer approach, and procedural requirements of the export process set by international markets.

Distinguished speakers, business executives, and academics from Greece as well as Rutgers University in New Jersey, USA, with extensive professional and academic experience, will help expand the boundaries of your businesses and organizations, highlighting best practices and market examples.

Certified by ACTA – the Technological Education Institute of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with a Quality Training Label, AGRIFOOD EXPORTS 360° is implemented by the organization New Agriculture New Generation, through the founding donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).

The sponsors of AGRIFOOD EXPORTS 360° scholarships are the Region of Western Greece and BAYER Hellas. The program is under the auspices of SEV – Hellenic Federation of Enterprises, SEVT – Association of Greek Food Industries, the Greek-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Initiative OUR GREECE.

The organization New Agriculture New Generation and the Region of Western Greece announce the granting of six scholarships for attending the specialized and certified training program for exports of agrifood products AGRIFOOD EXPORTS 360°, aimed at supporting young professionals engaged in export activities in the agrifood sector.

Specifically, the Region of Western Greece provides six scholarships for executives of companies and professionals engaged in export activities or interested in exporting their products, based in Western Greece. Interested parties can learn more about the program, eligibility criteria, and submit their application until March 26 here.

AGRIFOOD EXPORTS 360° is the first specialized and certified professional training program in Greece for agrifood exports, implemented for the fifth consecutive year by the organization New Agriculture New Generation, through the founding donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). The program serves as an effective tool for entrepreneurs, business executives, cooperatives, and producers who wish to effectively promote their products and services in foreign markets.

The agrifood sector now, more than ever, needs to ensure the effectiveness and success of its export businesses. A crucial link in the chain is the specialized human capital that can effectively staff export-oriented enterprises. The goal of this program is to provide participants with substantive and practical knowledge and skills, focusing on the most modern techniques in the field of agrifood product exports.

Through a comprehensive 66-hour online program, participants will gain substantive and practical knowledge and skills with an emphasis on product and technological requirements for exports, marketing strategies, market research, customer approach, and procedural requirements of the export process set by international markets.

Distinguished speakers, business executives, and academics from Greece as well as Rutgers University in New Jersey, USA, with extensive professional and academic experience, will help expand the boundaries of your businesses and organizations, highlighting best practices and market examples.

Certified by ACTA – the Technological Education Institute of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with a Quality Training Label, AGRIFOOD EXPORTS 360° is implemented by the organization New Agriculture New Generation, through the founding donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).

The sponsors of AGRIFOOD EXPORTS 360° scholarships are the Region of Western Greece and BAYER Hellas. The program is under the auspices of SEV – Hellenic Federation of Enterprises, SEVT – Association of Greek Food Industries, the Greek-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Initiative OUR GREECE.

This visit took place from March 4th to 7th, 2024, within the framework of the first specialized leadership program in Agriculture and Food implemented by the organization New Agriculture New Generation.

Participants of the program visited decision-making centers in the agri-food sector at the European level and were exposed to international best practices in agriculture and food. They visited the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission, the permanent Greek Delegation to the European Union, as well as, as a good practice, the fruit and vegetable auction house Belorta and the organization Farmers at the crossroads.

The sponsor of the educational visit was SKY EXPRESS, the Greek airline.

The Agrifood Leadership program of the organization New Agriculture New Generation is the first specialized Leadership program in Agriculture in Greece. It lasts for 90 hours and includes 8 experiential three-day sessions with training, systematic networking actions, on-site visits to decision-making centers in the agri-food sector, leadership role-taking activities, as well as 2 online training sessions. The program’s units include, among others, basic concepts such as Leadership, Analytical Skills, Marketing Principles, Governance, Agricultural Economics, and Policy. The goal of the program is to empower future Leaders of the Agriculture and Food Sector to prioritize sustainability, technology, market orientation, cooperation, 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). Technical and Strategic Advisor is Rutgers University, USA.

The Experiential Three-Day sponsors are the companies COMPO EXPERT, KOUIMTZIS Group, Batsolakis Meat School, and DayGroup, the Union of Chios Mastic Growers, the Consortium of Producer Groups of Imathia, and the Union of Messinia. The Program sponsor is the company BAYER. The Program and Certification sponsor is COSMOCERT. The airline sponsor is SKY EXPRESS, the Greek airline. The program is under the auspices of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

The next educational visit of the Agrifood Leadership will take place in Brussels between March 4th and 7th, 2024, sponsored by the airline SKY EXPRESS.