North Evia: Priority fishing shelters, beekeeping parks and abatoirs

The Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr. Simos Kedikoglou, spoke at length about the development and upgrading of fishing shelters, the creation of beekeeping parks and municipal slaughterhouses in Northern Evia, as well as the establishment of an Agricultural School at an event that took place on the three days of March 18 to 20 in Ag. Anna, in the presence of the Head of the Reconstruction Committee of Northern Evia, Mr. Stavros Benou.

Compensation to olive growers, mills and fig growers

Specifically, regarding the compensation of the oil producers, he said that the advances of the compensations will be given and immediately after, agricultural compensation org. ELGA crews will determine the extent of the disaster. “The compensations will be different, of course, depending on the case, ELGO-Dimitra will help with scientific staff to inform the olive growers about a series of methods such as e.g. instead of five years that the new olive tree requires to bear fruit, the time should be reduced to 4 or 3 years.”

Although the mills were not included in the original design of the project, as they had not been damaged by the fires, compensation has been provided, and although they were not damaged by the fires, they have been as severely affected as the olives. “The degree of compensation will be different, depending on the reduction of turnover per case, there will be a gradation but there will certainly be provision for those companies that lost their raw material. “The compensation will depend on how many years the raw material will be lost”, he clarified.

He even added that regarding the fig producers, the compensations for the coronavirus (67 euros / acre) will start to be paid.

“Not many figs were burned from the fire capsule, however, we had a qualitative degradation and a quantitative reduction of production, so a level of compensation has been set. “The relevant request has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance”, he said.

Betting on crop restructuring

He then spoke about the big bet, as he characteristically said, of the restructuring of the crops which is foreseen in the Benos plan. “We need to direct our farmers to new, more productive crops. I was glad to learn that a pepper cooperative of South African origin is being set up, which is sold at 4 times higher price than normal – they had tried to cultivate it in Macedonia and Thrace but it did not thrive while it is already thriving in North Evia-. Again, ELGO-Dimitra helps us with relevant studies in order to better guide the farmers in new crops that will give a better perspective for the future “.

Grazing zones and slaughterhouses

In the joint planning of the agriculture ministry and the energy and environment ministry, grazing zones was mentioned below: “We designed grazing zones, because until recently it was within the forests that are now prohibited during the reforestation period. The areas for the herds as well as the access zones are located. At the same time, I am in contact with Professor Mr. Zervas of the Agricultural University, in order to design the first livestock park in North Evia so that we can look into this method of breeding. From the first data I have, it is very promising “.

At the same time, they are proceeding with the creation of the first slaughterhouse.

Beekeeping parks

For the creation of beekeeping parks, he said that in collaboration with G. Amyras, the first beekeeping parks in Greece are being designed and in fact two of them will be adjacent to burned areas. And this, because – as he explained – it is very important to have bees in order for the flora to regenerate faster.

At the same time, together with Professor Thomaidis of the Athens Kapodistrian University and in collaboration with the Region, they proceed with an initiative to highlight the unique properties of the pine honey of Evia so that it can be launched as a product with a designation of origin.

Fishing shelters

Along with the fishing shelter in Ag. Anna, S. Kedikoglou, said that this is also going on in Ag. Georgios Lichadas, as well as in the tourist shelter in Rovies. “The maritime tourism program, in collaboration with the Ministries of Development and Shipping, is launching the upgrade of all fishing shelters throughout North Evia.Reconstruction and upgrading of all fishing shelters along with other actions to promote maritime tourism”, he noted.