The open seminar “Agricultural sector prospects in Messinia, 2016,” which was organized by the “Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos” Foundation, took place on Monday, December 5 at the conference center of the “Elite” hotel in Kalamata, and was concluded with great success and a great turnout. The seminar was eagerly attended by over 170 producers and professionals of the Messinian rural economy.

As part of its endeavors aimed towards establishing Messinia as a prime example of sustainable agricultural development, the “Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos” Foundation presented the results of the various collaborations it initiated throughout the year, and provided the opportunity to the producers and professionals of the Messinian rural economy to exchange useful knowledge and information regarding the developments and new prospects in the agricultural sector.

More specifically, Mr. Costas Delis, Professor of Plant Biotechnology and Genetics at the Technological Institute of Peloponnese, presented the conclusions and data so far of the study concerning the intensive cultivation of the traditional tomato variety named “Chondrokatsari.” Of equal importance was the presentation of the research results concerning the black currant of Messinia, led by Mr. Leandros Skaltsounis, Professor at the Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Following that, Mr. Evangelos Vergos, Dean at the School of Professional Education & Extension, of the American Farm School, discussed the issue of entrepreneurship in the agri-food sector in Greece, and the importance of the presence of the Center for Agri-Food Entrepreneurship in Messinia. Ms. Ioanna Milioni, Head of Quality at the Olive Oil Tasting Workshop of the Technological Institute of Peloponnese, presented the results of the program regarding the significance of the flavor characteristics of olive oil in traditional dining venues in Messinia. In order to promote the significance of Messinian products, Mr. Dimitris Melemenis, Executive Chef at Costa Navarino, discussed the connection between local products and the tertiary sector. Finally, Ms. Eleni Danali, Head of the Sustainable Agriculture Campaign of Greenpeace, presented the educational program aimed at farmers, on the cultivation of fodder plants to substitute genetically modified soybeans in animal feed. Mr. Angelos Markou, Business Development Manager of the company GAEA, was the coordinator of the discussion panel. For those interested, the talks can be found at the webpage of the “Captain Vassilis and Carmen Konstantakopoulos” Foundation: www.cvf.gr

The “Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos” Foundation would like to thank all participants, as well as the speakers, for their contribution to the seminar’s success; together we can work towards establishing Messinia as a prime example of sustainable agricultural development.