The second tree-planting event of the LIFE-AgrOassis project was successfully completed! On Wednesday, 19 November 2025, in the Mazotos area, 20 volunteers from UCLan University helped plant over 130 trees. A big thank you to all volunteers for their valuable support!

The hedgerow plantings are carried out under the auspices of the Commissioner for the Environment and Animal Welfare, Ms. Antonia Theodosiou.

LIFE-AgrOassis promotes the reintroduction of traditional hedgerows around agricultural fields using deep-rooted plants grown in special Deep Root Training Tubes at the Department of Forests, with scientific guidance from the KES Research Centre. This innovative method, tested for the first time in Europe, reduces irrigation needs and strengthens plants’ resilience to drought.

From 2023 to today, more than 7,000 trees and shrubs have been planted in farmland areas degraded by desertification, and this year, with the help of around 300 volunteers, even more deep-rooted plants will be planted throughout November and December!

The LIFE-AgrOassis project, with partners from Cyprus, Thessaly and Crete, is co-funded by the European Union and aims to support agriculture in areas at risk of desertification due to climate change.

Project partners include: Ministry of Agriculture (led by the Agricultural Research Institute and with participation from the Departments of Environment, Agriculture, and Forest), Open University of Cyprus, KES Research Center, Cyprus Farmers’ Union (EKA), Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, University of Thessaly, Municipality of Sitia, Paradisiotis Ltd, TOEV Tavropou Karditsas and the Laona Foundation.