Important Meeting on Sustainable Development with the Participation of Scientists, Producers, and Local Stakeholders
In the context of the remarkable and internationally esteemed cultural and natural heritage of Meteora, a significant event was successfully conducted as part of the Sus.Agri.Food initiative, in collaboration with the University of Thessaly. The objective of this event was to promote the sustainable development of agri-food systems, engaging the scientific and productive sectors of the region.
Distinguished participants from the academic community and the production sector:
✅ Professor Charalampos Billinis, Rector of the University of Thessaly
✅ Professor Chrysi Laspidou, Vice-Rector for Innovation, Internationalization, Collaborations, and Digital Governance, in addition to her role as the Head of One Planet Thessaly.
✔Both individuals actively facilitated the linkage between academic research and local production.
✅ Professor Athanasios Exadactylos, Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment.
✔ Presented the example of the Alonissos tuna as a model of innovative and sustainable exploitation.
✅ Professor Nikolaos Solomakos, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
✔Analyzed the significance of local dairy products in relation to the identity and sustainability of the region.
✅ Professor Rena Kosti, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics
✔ Enriched the discussion with gastronomic references and offered a tasting experience with local tsipouro.
✅ Mr. Tsinas, local producer
✔Presented his exceptional tsipouro and premium aged distillate, Asclepius, a product that encapsulates expertise, meticulous attention, and high quality.
✅ Ms. Maria Aliaga, owner of Meteora Farm
✔Presented the traditional goat sour milk, a product characterized by authenticity, quality, and local added value.
This initiative reaffirms the University of Thessaly’s commitment to being at the forefront of sustainable development by enhancing collaborations among scientific research, education, and industry.
The Pioneering Initiative Sus.Agri.Food
The emblematic initiative aims to propose and implement solutions through the establishment of a Smart Grid, which is intended to foster economic development within the sector. This initiative is grounded in the triad of sustainability, food security, and the management of production and knowledge.
The primary objective is to develop infrastructures, foster synergies, and create methodological and digital tools aimed at strengthening the resilience of the nation’s agri-food systems.
Key objectives of the initiative:
🔹 Adding “Greek Value” to domestic agricultural products and processed goods
🔹 Supporting/guiding producers and the processing industry
🔹 Strengthening the processing sector
🔹 Promoting extroversion and export orientation
🔹 Enhancing Agritourism and Gastronomic Tourism
🔹 Creating structures that facilitate and accelerate innovation adoption, utilizing both digital technologies (IoT, precision agriculture, blockchain, AI, etc.) and biological sciences (genomics, metabolomics, etc.)
📍The future of local communities may be established upon a foundation of deep-rooted traditions, achieved through innovative practices that honor these traditions.
