Signing LIFE-AgrOassis Agreements with Farmers in Thessaly
Farmers Sign Agreements – LIFE-AgrOassis
On Sunday, March 16, during a public event held at the “Kierion” Hotel in Karditsa, 21 farmers – members of the Local Organization for Land Improvements (TOEV) of Tavropos, Karditsa, signed cooperation agreements with the University of Thessaly, the project coordinator for the LIFE-AgrOassis project in Thessaly.
The project is funded by the European Union and the participating organizations. It takes place in three regions of the Eastern Mediterranean: Thessaly, Crete, and Cyprus. In Thessaly, it is supported by two partners: the University of Thessaly and TOEV Tavropou.
LIFE-AgrOassis promotes regenerative agriculture, encouraging low or no-tillage soil practices and planting hedgerows around farm plots.
Low/no tillage helps maintain and improve soil quality and fertility by improving structure, increasing organic matter, preventing soil compaction and erosion, and enhancing biodiversity.
Hedgerows support ecosystem services in farming areas, offering shelter and habitat for beneficial organisms like pollinating insects, birds, and mammals. They also act as natural barriers that reduce pesticide spray drift during spraying.
The Laboratory of Pomology at the University of Thessaly’s Department of Agriculture, Crop Production & Rural Environment studied and selected the best plant species for the Karditsa region, aiming to boost biodiversity and extend flowering periods. They also chose plants with commercial value to offer additional income for farmers.
The Laboratory of Agricultural Machinery from the same department supports low/no-tillage methods, offering expert knowledge and advice to farmers. They also provide two special no-till seeders for demonstration purposes (one for winter cereals and legumes, and one for cotton and corn).
The participating farmers will apply one or both of the methods and will gain hands-on experience and knowledge of the real benefits. The LIFE-AgrOassis project is expected to finish at the end of 2026, when the results will be announced.
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Farmers Sign Agreements – LIFE-AgrOassis