Research

Almost ten years ago, the Union of Agrinio, in some cases in collaboration with A.C. “Acheloos” and with the state being absent, undertook an initiative to implement a broad research program in experimental fields and pilot plantings, so as to indicate new, alternative crops, thus giving an outlet to the farmers of the region and especially to the ones that formerly cultivated tobacco.

We cooperated with the University of Bologna in Italy, with the University of California, the University of Thessaly and, regarding statistics and figures, with the Agricultural University of Athens.

Under the scientific guidance of these institutions and the support of our agronomists, experimental plots were planted with plum, cherry, pear apple, various aromatic and medicinal plants and other crops.

In fact, we responded, instead of the state, to the major question dealing with what can someone produce in Aetoloakarnania. It is needless to say that the answering the above question did cost many thousands of euro! This was the cost that was entirely undertaken by the Union itself, since it did not have the support of any other entity.

The process, from the selection of crops to be tested till the final evaluation of the results, required time, energy and money. Thus, it gave us the directions that, as we note with satisfaction, have already been followed by many famers and that actually shaped the context which ensures future production.

Stevia, kiwis, plums and aromatic herbs are the main products suggested by our research programs to be the most suitable and profitable for the region. We, at the same time, provide integrated solutions, offering a wide range of support not only at a technical level that maximizes production, but also at warranting absorption and the product’s marketing.