A message about the need for a substantial interconnection of university knowledge with the production and capabilities of each place, the Minister of Rural Development and Food sent Costas Tsiaras From Drama, where he attended the presentation of the two new university departments of the Democritus University of Thrace: the Department of Vineyards and Oenology and the Department of Natural Environment and Climate Resilience.
Mr. Tissue He praised the role that academic infrastructure can play in enhancing local production, especially in an area with a dynamic presence on the country’s winemaker, such as Drama. As he said, the utilization of university knowledge in areas such as viticulture, innovation and environmental adaptation is a critical tool of development and adaptation to modern challenges.
According to him, “the durability of agricultural production is our main pursuit” and also presented a series of ministry actions aimed at tackling the problem. Among them is the “Water 2.0” program for water management, a new package of irrigation projects of € 600 million at regional level, as well as a special program of small land improvement projects to be announced in the fall. Particular emphasis was also placed on the new funding tool for greenhouse crops, as well as € 600 million.
At the same time, the minister made particular reference to the need to transport technology and innovation to the daily lives of producers, through intelligent agriculture and digital upgrading of crops.
Mr Tsiaras also stood at the difficulties facing Greek agriculture, such as the Little Clergy, stressing that the strategic answer is the investment in quality: “If we want to score a strategy for the primary sector, this is quality production,” he said, and added that “Greece produces Greece.”
At the closure of his position, the minister underlined the importance of utilizing European resources and common agricultural policy through targeted interventions that boost producers. “We can create a model of durable primary sector – a model that supports social cohesion and enables producers the opportunity to live with dignity and to represent Greek products abroad,” he said.
During his stay in Drama, as part of the events of “Drama Knowledge”, Mr. Tsiaras visited wineries and talked to producers about Greek wine prospects in international markets. Earlier in Kavala, he had contacts with representatives of agricultural and livestock associations, focusing on irrigation problems and the effects of zoonoses on domestic farming.