Eforigi #003

CONTENTS 4 December Agenda 5-7 Industrial Cannabis: Travelling around Greece 8-10 Greek Export Awards 2017 11 Promotion of Greek olive oil in Poland 12 Greek patent that saves the producer’s day 13 “ΟινοΚεντρικά” wine tasting event 14-15 Modern farming methods will determine the future of agriculture 16-17 Interview of the consul of Canada in Grerece 18-19 The architect’s “secrets” for Villa Ypsilon 20-21 Nutrition: The value of peanuts

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Editor: Kelly Dimitroulia Journalist: Eleni Aivali Camera: Giannis Kotsilas Translation - Subtitling: Δια…Λόγου Translation Service www.e-gi.gr eforigi.com@gmail.com +30 6974600678 e-gi.gr 2017 Εύφορη Γη All Rights Reserved

EDITORIAL Investment with knowledge in the olive tree cultivation The olive harvest is in progress and the first produced quantities can be really encouraging due to the exceptional quality of our olive oil.

However, the need to face the olive cultivation in Greece with even greater seriousness than in the past emerges year by year.

Apart from the unpredictable factors, such as the weather conditions (e.g. drought, hail, etc.), that affect production, the consequences of which may be reduced, there are also the poor cultivation practices that need to be faced.

Due to the increase in the price of the olive oil during the last years, the producer started considering the product more seriously.

However, there are lots to be done. For instance, when the producers as a whole receive all the information they need, from the proper cultivation of the olive tree to the proper storage of the product.

But we should insist on making our olive oil even better. And if we believe it is perfect, can we guarantee a consistent quality every year, as the markets require?

Taking this into consideration, institutions and individuals should make investments, in order for a cultivation programme and infrastucture projects to be designed and applied in a realistic way, such as the necessary dams, to which a lot of small societies hope.

Serious planning, collaboration and assertion can set the beginning.

Kelly Dimitroulia

DECEMBER agenda

a Journey of taste and experience in Greece and abroad!

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World Food Expo brings together many different types of food and beverages from around the world. It will be held in Pasay, Philippines, from 20th to 23rd December.

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The Hong Kong Food Festival will be held in Hong Kong, China from 24th to 28th December.

This festival promotes products from the food and beverage industry.

December is the most festive month of all year, with fairytale Christmas markets and millions of visitors all over the world. In Greece, three of the most beautiful “Christmas Villages” are: - The “Mill of Elves” in Trikala, which begins on 1st December. It will be greeting visitors until 7th January.

- “The Christmas Factory”, the magic factory that starts welcoming us on 1st December, in Gazi, Athens.

- The Dream City in Drama, which invites us to live a fairy tale for the 14th year from 4th December to 7th January.

No matter where you go this Christmas, visit the closest Christmas market and have fun!

Industrial Cannabis:

Travelling around Greece The industrial hemp cultivation in Greece today comprises the objective of “Εύφορη Γη” travelogue in Magnesia, Arcadia and Messinia, in order to present crops and producers.

Awaiting investments for processing the industrial hemp in all directions, the producers and the groups that have already produced enough quantities are experimenting and looking for collaborations.

Apostolou: “The next few years we will be talking about thousands of hectares of industrial hemp” “After a few years we will be talking about thousands of hectares, especially if the part of textile manufacturing becomes part of the processing”. This estimation is made by the minister of Rural Development and Food Vangelis Apostolou who talked to “Εύφορη Γη” about the future of the industrial hemp in Greece. “The possibilities offered will be enormous with a raw material of lower cost and higher quality”, he points out. At the same time, he insists on the development with regard to pharmaceutical cannabis, anticipating the completion of the proposed law: “We examine also the part of pharmaceutical cannabis because there is

the will to use its medicinal benefits at last”.

Until recently there have been demands for cultivation of about 30,00 hectares. The response of the growers is characterised by the minister as less than expected, but he hopes that by investing in the textile sector the metres will multiply. Other issues that need to be faced have to do with water use, the accreditations due to the lack of specialised laboratories and many more.

It should be noted that “Dimitra”, the Greek Agricultural Organisation, continues to watch all the cultivation issues, giving instructions to growers.

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“A much promising cultivation”

“Το Καννάβι” chose Arcadia and proved right One of the major efforts that have been launched at a collaborative level for the production of the industrial hemp and its products is “Το Καννάβι”. The team consists of 4 businesses, including kannabishop in the center of Athens and Mystic Pizza, which have spent several years dealing with cannabis.

The 2017 cultivation was the second after the issuance of the Joint Ministerial Decision, which in April 2016 opened the way to industrial hemp cultivation in Greece after decades of prohibition.

After Boeotia last year, Kapsia in Arcadia was selected this year; an area which, according to the growers, has a long history in this particular crop and the result justifies their choice.

Argyris Moutzouris, the owner of the

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kannabishop, talks to “Εύφορη Γη” about “a promising cultivation” and shows us the field and the warehouse and also explains the veritable production process.

The important properties of the plant are reported by the biologist Krista Pappa, who has been troubled in the past like other kannabishop owners in Greece. “Το Καννάβι” actively participates in the data collection for the creation of a database and a cultivation guide by Dimitra, the Greek Agricultural Organisation.

This cultivation, among others, has attracted the interest of researchers, such as the Agricultural University of Athens and the University of Athens, while the research for creation of products is in progress and the ways to exploit the plant in any direction are being sought.

Parmenion Gatos “ΚΑΝΝΑΒΙΟ” SOCIAL COOPERATIVE ENTERPRISE

They join forces and set high goals With the target in 2018 to double the hectares cultivated by its members in 2017 in various regions of the country, “ΚΑΝΝΑΒΙΟ” Social Cooperative Enterprise continues the activity started in April 2016 on organic hemp production, processing and packaging. “Εύφορη Γη” went to Kokkina in Magnesia, in one of the crops of Hemp Cooperative members. The aim of the business is to protect the environment, to promote a sustainable development and a different model for rural economy and agricultural production. The chairman of the Board of Directors and environmentalist Michalis Theodoropoulos said: “The Hemp Cooperative is based on the co-operation, the quality organic production and on the new products, such as the industrial cannabis, which can give a new boost to

economy”.

He pointed out the long history of this plant cultivation in Greece until the beginning of the 20th century and its properties. “The Joint Ministerial Decision of 2016 brought industrial cannabis back into the fields. It is regarded as a plant, from which nothing is thrown away. It can cover numerous daily needs and it can replace polluting substances and conventional crops that pollute the environment”, he says. “ΚΑΝΝΑΒΙΟ” cultivated 10 hectares in 2017. The results of the effort so far have been presented in the first report of the Social and Solidarity Economy.

In anticipation of the first greenhouse crop of the industrial cannabis, seeded a few weeks ago in Messinia.

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Greek Exports Awards 2017

CHITOS, the leading exporting company For the 6th consecutive year the Greek Exports Awards were awarded. The CHITOS SA distinguished itself as the leading export company.

Greek Exports Awards 2017 were organised by the Union of Diplomatic Officers of Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with Ethos Awards and the financial and investment magazine “Χρήμα”.

The following companies were awarded: A: SPECIAL EXPORTS AWARDS Top Greek Export Company 2017 GOLD: CHITOS SA SILVER: MEVGAL SILVER: SIAMIDIS SA SILVER: KLEEMANN HELLAS SA SILVER: SYSTEMS SUNLIGHT SILVER: HALCOR SA Top Innovation in Export GOLD: SOFTOMOTIVE SILVER: MEVGAL

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Honorary Export Distinctions -AMBASSADOR Mr. Fragiskos Verros -FEDERATIO OF HELLENIC FOOD INDUSTRIES Β: TOP EXPORT COMPANIES Top Industrial Export Company GOLD: MEVGAL, CHITOS SA, SIAMIDIS SA, OLYMPIA ELECTRONICS, SYSTEMS SUNLIGHT, PALIRRIA SA, HELESI SA, AKROLITHOS SA SILVER: PALAMIDIS SA, SELONDA SA, ALUMINCO

BRONZE: MEGARA RESINS SA, EVOIKI ZIMI SA Top Services Export Company GOLD: SALFO AND ASSOCIATES SA, EULER HERMES, INTELLI SOLUTIONS SA SILVER: SOFTOMOTIVE, DK CONSULTANTS BRONZE: UPCOM Top Manufacturing Export Company GOLD: SYSTEMS SUNLIGHT SILVER: OLYMPIA ELECTRONICS, ALMPANTAKIS SA C: TOP EXPORT BRANDS Top Branded Export Product GOLD: MEVGAL, CHITOS SA, MODELLO GROUP SA SILVER: ALFA SA, ALUMINCO BRONZE: PEGASUS BIO HYPERFOODS, KLIMIS (VAS. & EK. KOTTARIDI GP) Top Branded Export Service GOLD: EULER HERMES BRONZE: SOFTOMOTIVE

Top Export Company Brand GOLD: ALFA SA SILVER: STELLA MARE FISHERIES, AKROLITHOS SA Top Export Packaging GOLD: ALFA SA D: TOP EXPORT ASSISTANCE COMPANIES Top Export International Logistics & Transportation GOLD: TRANSCOMBI EXPRESS Top Export Insurance Partner GOLD: EULER HERMES SILVER: COFACE GOLD: GREAT GREEK EXPORTS & TRADE, DK CONSULTANTS SILVER: LINE GROUP, WIN DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

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Greek Exports Awards 2017

Another important distinction for “Klimis” company The Bronze Award was won by the Messinian company “Klimis” (Vas. & Ek. Kottaridi GP) in the “Top Branded Export Product” category of Greek Exports Awards 2017. The awards ceremony took place on Friday 1 December at Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso in Vouliagmeni The marketing manager, Nasos Makios, was there to receive the prize and stated to “Εύφορη Γη” that: “We are very pleased and continue our effort. These distinctions reward our efforts and show us that we are on the right direction in order to promote quality and innovative products, always with respect to the environment”.

In this category there were examined several parameters such as product innovation, countries and years of export, certificates, distinctions and competitive

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advantages.

“Klimis” company managed to distinguish itself by applying an innovative method fully exploiting the waste of the main process for the production of briquette from olive pits.

The company has been awarded in European environmental competitions, coming first to issues regarding eco-innovation, natural resource management and implementation of circular economy. It also presents export activity in nine countries, while exporting charcoal reaches 23% of its total production.

Greek Exports Awards 2017 were held for the 6th consecutive year by the Union of Diplomatic Officers of Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with Ethos Awards and the financial and investment magazine “Χρήμα”.

Grecka Panorama 2017

Kalamata Olives and Olive Oil School taught Polish professionals The features of Greek olive oil were presented to professionals from Warsaw in Poland during Grecka Panorama 2017.

The Kalamata Olives and Olive Oil School, consisted of Nikos Koutsoukos, Giorgos Koutelas and Veloudo Velissari, taught standardisers and professionals from other sectors, such as food service and marketing.

Apart from the seminars, hundreds of visitors of the exhibition had the opportunity to taste Greek olive oil, two from Messinia, one from Laconia and two from Crete.

The event took place from 1st to 3rd December, with the initiative of “Ανέλιξη” Business Consultants.

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PROKROB: The Greek patent that save the producer’s day The patent that can save the producer’s day and reduce both cultivation time and cost is presented by PROKROB. It regards the patented ground cover, which, above all, offers ease and an immediate solution to weeds and suckers.

The application in the field indicates that with the use of this fabric, in dimensions that meet producer’s needs, plant demands for water and fertilizer reduce, while there is absolutely no reason to use herbicides.

Around the trees there are round or square fabrics applied, with zippers or plastic nails, as needed. Suckers and weeds are things of the past and the use of a lawnmower far from the trunk diminishes the risk to cause damage.

As for a vegetable garden and large areas, producers choose among the company’s codes the fabric with the holes that match their crop and ensure an easy production, without pesticides, weeding, water and fertiliser wasting.

PROKROB also has another patent, the tool that helps the producer to open the holes for crop planting rather quickly and easily.

Contact us: 54, Ethnikis Antistaseos str.

15351, Pallini, Attica Tel: 0030 210 6033208 http://www.prokrob.gr info@prokrob.gr

«ΟινοKεντρικά» with 22 wineries and local gastronomy products “ΟινοΚεντρικά” wine tasting event was held this year for the 2nd time to make wine-lovers and food service professionals get to know Central Greece, with its dozens of wineries and large vineyards.

At “ΟινοΚεντρικά 2017”, held on Sunday 26 November at the Hotel Grande Bretagne, the wines of 22 established and new wineries of Attica, Viotia, Evia, Karditsa, Larissa, Trikala and Fthiotida were tested. “ΟινοΚεντρικά” welcomed this year more than 1,100 visitors, who came in contact with “the Wines from the Mountains”, as the wines of this wide wine-producing region are identified, with its intense landscape and the vineyards on or around it. There, native and international grape varieties are hosted, giving a large and wide range of wines,

often with the common point of a massive, robust and exuberant character, similar to the mountain of their origin.

“Wine Bar” was the innovation of this year’s event, where the guests could taste wines from Central Greece combined with local gastronomy products such as deli meats, fish roe, olives, smoked trout, mushrooms, stuffed grape leaves, dried figs and cheese.

Last year the Union of Wine Producers of the Central Greece Vineyard (ENOAKE) started the group presentation of its wines in Athens, and this year’s event was a joint organization of ENOAKE, the Region of Central Greece and the Agro-Food Partnership of Central Greece.

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Modern farming methods will determine the future of agriculture The need to exploit modern farming methods within the framework of an integrated management of agricultural production, the cooperations and the business approach of the primary sector comprised some of the main pillars of the discussion which took place during the workshop titled “Perspectives of the Rural Sector in Messinia 2017”, and was held in Kalamata.

The event was organised by the “Captain Vassilis and Carmen Konstantakopoulos” Foundation as part of the activities intended to make the region of Messinia a model for sustainable rural development.

The former rector of the Technological Educational Institute (T.E.I.) of Peloponnese, Dimitris Velissariou, mentioned that in recent years there has been a noteworthy wave of return to agriculture and pointed

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out the need for a body to support, offer co-ordination and promote the agricultural sector. Talking about the potential of the agricultural sector, he referred to the certified production methods that add value to the product, to the organic farming, the producer groups, the branding, the exports, the innovation, the restructuring and the extroversion. He obviously noted that “the so called conventional agriculture should come to an end” and also presented comparative data.

Dr. Anastasios Darras, assistant professor at the T.E.I. of Peloponnese, presented data of the current development in the study on 3 rare species that grow on Taygetos; the medicinal plants Nepeta camphorata, Sideritis (mountain tea) and Hypericum (St. John’s wort). Until now, their growing location has been indicated, their botanical

characteristics have been recorded, soil samples and reproductive material have been taken, new plants have been produced and biochemical analyses have been conducted. During the following year, test and experimental crops will be carried out on Taygetos and at the TEI, while contacts with companies for their commercial exploitation through the creation of new products will follow.

Sotiris Lymperopoulos, the co-owner of the company “Radiki”, spoke about the establishment and development of the company up to day and referred to the effort to develop sales in Greece and abroad. Mr. Lymperopoulos mentioned that the biggest obstacle he faced was the state itself and that “when trying to do business, you live in an unstable environment”. However, “Radiki” keeps on with exports of citrus and dried herbs, because, as he pointed out, nothing can beat patience.

Dimitris Tsoukalas, the former president of the Community of Anavra in Magnisia

and president of “ΑΝΑVRA-ZO» Voluntary Organization, described how his region, which had for 10 years the greatest development in Greece among the local authorities, could work as an model for other areas of the country, and he highlighted that we must have requirements from the local government, because it can really contribute to the rural development of a region.

Finally, Ntinos Stergidis, the president of “Athena” International Olive Oil Competition, referred to the importance of the contests by providing information about the last one which was held in Messinia and talked about the perspectives and opportunities offered by international competitions.

The event was opened by Xenofon Kappas, the general manager of the “Captain Vassilis and Carmen Konstantakopoulos” Foundation. Periklis Mantas, the thematic regional vice-governor, gave the welcoming speech. Coordinator of the workshop was the journalist Kostas Tsaousis.

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INTERVIEW OF THE CONSUL OF CANADA IN GREECE

“Tourism brings hope and change to the Greek economy” The consul of Canada in Greece, Stephen El Azab, spoke to “Εύφορη Γη” about the current situation in Greece, the new wave of Greek immigrants, the informative events organised by the Embassy of Canada and the Greek-Canadian relations.

As for the current situation in Greece, Mr. El Azab said that in 2015 he arrived in the country bringing US dollars with him, as been advised, because the Grexit issue was on the spot, and that actually was his “first contact” with the crisis. However, he never had to use this money and today he believes there is greater confidence. Things go better with jobs, while he sees hope and change in the country’s economy, especially through the strong sector of tourism.

Then, the consul mentioned that the

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Embassy is aware of many cases of Greek Canadians who have lived for some years in Greece, but because of the financial crisis they go back to Canada. This is a decision that requires a lot of thought, he pointed out. In a lot of places there are jobs offered, but they may not be the jobs people have dreamed of. However, as noted, the government is trying to find ways to exploit new graduate professionals in appropriate positions.

Mr. El Azab also talked about the informative events held by the Embassy in various cities throughout Greece, where he really likes meeting and chatting with the Greek Canadians, who, as he stressed, are proud of their two citizenships. The purpose of the events is to show that the Embassy

is open, accessible and ready to provide information and assistance.

The interview was given on the occasion of the informative event dedicated to the Canadian citizens living in Messinia, which took place on Thursday 30th November at the Municipal Cultural Center of Kalamata.

The event was attended, apart from El Azab, by Areti Velissariou, the senior consular, and by Sofia Kapelleri, the passport officer, as well as by around 60 Canadian citizens. The day after, the consul had a meeting with the mayor of Kalamata Mr Panayiotis Nikas.

Watch the video with the whole interview.

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VILLA YPSILON

Impressive simplicity with geometry and economy “Architecture does not need boring patterns” Villa Ypsilon in Pylia, Messinia with its daring design sends a message of freedom and gains the admiration of the public. It is a holiday house adapted to the natural environment, designed at a Y-shape by the architectural firm “Lassa”, led by Theodoros Sarantoglou-Lalis and Dora Sweijd.

The villa drew the attention of the public when its photos were published in Greece and abroad, straight after the construction had been completed, with many people giving their own interpretations upon the designing.

The “Εύφορη Γη” went to Villa Ypsilon and the architect Theodoros Sarantoglou-Lalis showed us around. He also sent a message to the new architects and said: “Even in tough

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financial conditions, the creativity and the good use of technology allow us to mock up innovative and economical projects. There is no need for architecture to be formulaic, determinate or boring. It has to be free.”

And, indeed, simplicity in the idea and implementation makes a great impression…

The inspired house was designed in order to be functional, environmentally-friendly, adapted to the landscape, to “frame” the exquisite view in three different point of the horizon and all this at a cost that did not exceed the budget of a conventional house of the same size. Geometry, orientation, the planted roof and plenty of other smart ideas save energy. The three basic axes of the house, towards the island of Schiza, the

village of Lachanada and the sunset, create three spaces in the garden for the different hours of the day. Apart from the olive trees outdoors, Mediterranean plants like lavender and rosemary have also been planted; the stunning 12-meter long swimming pool, designed on geometry of the building, dominates the south side.

Mr. Sarantoglou-Lalis explained that for each new construction special research is conducted and then with current technology, knowledge and materials something new emerges. In this specific case, the houses from the Cyclades and the tomb of Agamemnon in Mycenae, whose triangular walls and the dome gave the basic shape of the creation, among others were studied.

The two architects, specialized in designing buildings of complicated geometries throughout the world, teach at a university in England; at the same time they are looking for new solutions and orientations, neither expensive nor conventional.

In this project the contribution of the civil engineer Vasilis Kosmopoulos was very important. The company collaborates with Lambros Bambilis in Greece as well, considering that the designers live permanently abroad.

Villa Ypsilon is undoubtedly to be admired and the architectural office has proposals to design hotels and villas in various places around Greece.

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Aegina pistachio or ground-nuts…

Rania Araitzoglou | Dietitian- Nutritionist Ideally, pistachios should be consumed raw and unsalted to take advantage of all of their nutrients. Particular attention should be paid to the portion because it is high in calories. They are also powerful allergens, so people should be careful when consuming them for the first time.

Their consumption is contraindicated in people with hyperuricemia (high uric acid), gout and bowel problems such as diverticulitis, spastic colitis etc.

Pistachios are considered a complete and well-balanced food, as they are rich in many essential nutrients. Their high protein content allows them to replace meat in a vegetarian diet and is an important source of energy, monounsaturated fat, fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidant ingredients.

A regular consumption of pistachios can contribute to the reduction of cholesterol levels in the blood because they are rich in plant sterols.

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Pistachios combined with foods high on the glycemic index can reduce the glycemic index of a meal of a diabetic person. Their fiber and their fatty texture can act against constipation.

Nutrition facts

As shown in the table, both types of peanuts have a similar composition.

So the choice is yours!!!

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