Partners

INTERBALKAN ENVIRONMENT CENTER (Partner – Coordinator)

i-BEC is a non-profit and mission oriented international organization that links local communities and countries in the wider Balkan nations, with EU and UN agencies. i-BEC supports and co-develops with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki state of the art technologies and innovative research for sustainable management of natural resources and environmental protection.

i-BEC sustains training of civil and private sectors through long distance learning, translating Earth Observation [EO} data into services and creating Living Labs, thus enhancing Capacity Building of these sectors. In partnership with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, is a leader in environmental research in Greece with more than 200 publications, mostly in international journals

i-BEC was founded on 30 July 2007 by the   concerted efforts of the Regional Development Fund of Central Macedonia, the Research Committee of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki [AUTh] and the Municipality of Lagadas within the framework of the project “Establishment of Balkan Environment Center” [BEC] funded by INTERREG III / A, INTERREG III / B. In 2014, after 7 years of constant, active presence in Greece and the Balkans with numerous projects and programmes, the former ’’Balkan Environment Center’’ became the ’’InterBalkan Environment Center’’.

Αfter 15 years of successful course and active presence in Greece, in the Balkans in Europe, Asia and Africa, the Inter-Balkan Environment Center now operates as a flexible international organization with actions and collaborations between the public and private sectors as well as the research community, in Greece and abroad. During this course, he creatively contributed to the development of environmental awareness in Greece with actions at a global level that constituted environmental innovation, with research applications that turned into application standards for green policies at the Local and Regional level, with practical interventions in sensitive natural systems and environmental resources, by linking scientific knowledge with political public priorities to protect natural resources and support rural and natural ecosystems and environmentally sensitive areas.

Role in the PERSICA Cooperation Group:

The development of a system for translating practices and inputs as a carbon footprint.

The recording of practices and inputs at the level of field level, in a pilot area to be indicated by the cooperatives.

The overall coordination of the project activities as well as and the development of the plan to ensure the to ensure their sustainability after the end of the project.

Type of partner, in the PERSICA Cooperation Group: Advisor

Information: www.i-bec.org

AEIFORIKI S.A (Partner)

AEFORIKI S.A. has been active since 2001 and is one of the most specialized companies providing consulting services in the wider agri-environmental sector. It is addressed to entities that are directly or indirectly active in the sectors of production, processing, processing and marketing of agricultural products and management of the rural environment.

The experienced and qualified staff of the company, which consists of agronomists of plant and animal production, agro-economists and veterinarians, is able to provide solutions, directions and vision to any institution, company and individual agricultural and livestock farms. The basic principle of the company is to develop a climate of trust with its clients, to create prospects and to achieve goals aimed at providing comprehensive and effective service and support to its clients.

Based on more than 20 years of experience in the field, it offers integrated solutions and services throughout Greece, always tailored to the needs of producers and businesses.

Ρόλος στην Επιχειρησιακή Ομάδα PERSICA:
The company AEIFORIKI S.A. with its experience in the development and implementation of protocols in agricultural production will contribute to the creation of the carbon footprint protocol, as well as to the dissemination activities of the project.

Type of partner, in the PERSICA Cooperation Group: Advisor

Information: www.aeiforiki.gr

Pesticide Science laboratory, School of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University Thessaloniki (Partner)

ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALONIKI
The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is the largest Greek University. The main campus is located in the city center and covers an area of about 430,000 m2, while some of its facilities, whether educational or administrative, are located outside the campus or in other cities. It includes a total of 10 faculties, consisting of 40 departments and 1 one-part faculty. There are 60 Clinics (Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine), 319 institutionalized Laboratories and 23 Study Centers.

PESTICIDE SCIENCE LABORATORY.
The Pesticide Science Laboratory, as an independent educational and research unit of the Department of Agriculture of AUTH, was founded in 1990 according to the law (ΠΔ 144, ΦΕΚ 55, 10/4/1990) and its first facilities operated in the building of Agricultural Department of the School of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment located at the university campus. The main research facilities of Pesticide Science Laboratory are now established as a separate subunit in a speciallyorganized building located at the University Farm of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Thermi.

Research Fields and Interests:​

  • Development of methods for the analysis of residues of pesticides and other organic pollutants (mycotoxins, antibiotics, etc.) in plant and animal foods, tobacco and environmental samples (soil, sediments, water, air) and application of the methods to the monitoring of residues in them
  • Isolation, chemical analysis and study of the action of bioactive molecules (secondary metabolites) from natural products for application in plant protection (control of nematodes, bacteria, fungi, insects).

Biopesticides

  • Monitoring studies on the presence of pesticide residues in both surface and groundwater bodies, identification of pollution sources and proposals of pollution/contamination management measures.
  • Research on the environmental fate and behavior of pesticides
  • Metabolism and accelerated microbial degradation of pesticides in soil and their effects on soil composition and microbial activity.
  • Risk assessment of pesticide residues for food safety and environmental protection.

Role in the PERSICA Cooperation Group:
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is undertaking the development of the carbon footprint algorithm and will contribute to other research and innovation activities.

Type of partner, in the PERSICA Cooperation Group: Research institute

Πληροφορίες: www.agro.auth.gr/τομεις/εργαστηρια/γεωργικων-φαρμακων

NEUROPUBLIC S.A. (Partner)

NEUROPUBLIC S.A is an innovative Informatics and Technology company founded in 2003 in Piraeus, specializing in the development of Web- and Cloud-based integrated information systems and applications meeting high requirements. It has developed the first and only large-scale Internet of Things infrastructure in Greece, installing thousands of wireless sensors, which we designed and manufactured, on agricultural land.

  • Develops Information systems and Services with the ultimate purpose of providing services that modernise and digitise Public Administration.
  • Leading position in the Agricultural sector, by providing a wide range of technological services for the private and public sector.
  • With the specialized information systems-services it develops, it ensures the integration of Agencies and Enterprises to the European business Environment (e business).
  • Since 2006, it has been developing and maintaining information systems for the OPEKEPE (Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid), it has developed complex and demanding information systems for the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.
  • Constantly follows and actively participate in discussions among representative bodies at European level concerning the digitalization of the European agricultural sector .
  • Follows and implements a quality management system for the development and support of our software during its whole life cycle.
  • NEUROPUBLIC invests in high quality human resources and ensures the best possible working conditions, continuously training its employees on new technologies and practices.

Role in the PERSICA Cooperation Group:
Neuropublic as the technology provider will be responsible for the configuration of the relevant digital applications, such as the geobase and the data visualisation platform.

Type of partner, in the PERSICA Cooperation Group: Advisor

Information: https://www.neuropublic.gr/

Association of Imathia’s Agricultural Cooperatives – Producers Organization (Partner)

The Association of Imathia’s Agricultural Cooperatives – Producers Organization is a partnership of 8 Agricultural Cooperatives – Producers Organizations of Imathia.

It was founded in 2014 in order to provide services to the farmers of its member cooperatives on European subsidies, while since 2016, it promotes and exports to the world and mainly to Europe the products of its members (peaches and nectarines), which are the main agricultural products of their production.

The cooperatives participating in the Consortium, which are the largest and most extrovert in the region, are:

  • AC Meliki
  • AC Ammos ‘Neos Aliakmon’.
  • AC Messi
  • AC Veroia ‘Venus Growers’.
  • AC Naoussa
  • ASEPOP Naoussa
  • AC Episkopi Naoussa
  • ASOP Episkopis Naoussa

Services for farmers

The Association of Imathia’s Agricultural Cooperatives – Producers Organization provides a package of services for farmers, covering the needs for the management of each farm:

  • submission of IMCS declarations
  • transfers of single payment entitlements
  • reimbursement of VAT for farmers
  • maintenance of the register of sheep and goats
  • registration/updating of farmers’ register
  • informing farmers about the new CAP
  • integrated sugar beet management system
  • keeping of revenue and expenditure on behalf of farmers
  • provision of services for financing new farmers, etc.
  • exports

Exports

In terms of exports, it operates as a sale (export) and marketing organization, opening new markets mainly in Europe. As mentioned above, the 8 Cooperatives – Members of the Association are extrovert production organizations and have been exporting their own products for the last 20 years.

It is worth noting that the Association, in order to improve the sales strategy of its members and to adapt its members to market requirements, is positioning itself on the European market by exporting directly to European supermarkets, without the intermediation of importers and intermediaries.

Such a strategy directly bridges the end points of sale of the Consortium members’ products with many benefits for both sides. On the one hand, for the supermarkets, uninterrupted and uninterrupted supply throughout the season and, on the other hand, for the cooperative members, better selling prices.

It’s being several years since the beginning of this project, the Consortium has achieved this objective, since 100% of its sales/exports are now directed directly to European supermarkets, thus putting this strategy into practice and reaping the benefits.

Research Programmes

The Consortium participates in research projects and European programmes to promote fresh products in the world.

Role in the PERSICA Cooperation Group:

The Association of Imathia’s Agricultural Cooperatives – Producers Organization will provide their fields and their experience in field management to ensure the proper functioning of the pilots, but primarily they will ensure (as end users) that the project actions will move towards the production of tools and services that farmers need.

Type of partner, in the PERSICA Cooperation Group: Advisor

Information: www.asiac.gr

AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION NESTOS (Partner)

In 1988, the first asparagus production cooperative was founded in Kavala, in the area of Nestos. The purpose of founding the cooperative was to develop and promote the cultivation of asparagus.
A.C. NESTOS is a dynamic group of producers that during its operation so far, has expanded its activities to other crops such as kiwis, apricots, and plums.

A.C. NESTOS managed to gain recognition in the international markets with the quality of its products. The natural site of NESTOS provides optimal environmental conditions as the region is protected under the Ramsar Convention.The know-how, experience and systematic effort of all the producers of “A.C. Nestos” result in the high quality and safety of the products it provides to consumers, a fact that is certified by the following national and European provisions:

GLOBALGAP,
SEDEX,BRC,IFS,
ISO 22000:2005, ISO9001 :2008,
GRASP,TNC,
AGRO 2.1, AGRO 2.2

Role in the PERSICA Cooperation Group: A.C. NESTOS will provide the fields and their expertise in field management to ensure the proper functioning of the pilots, but primarily they will ensure (as end-users) that the project activities will move towards the production of tools and services that farmers need

Type of partner, in the PERSICA Cooperation Group: Agricultural Cooperative

Information: https://asnestos.gr/

Partners Map