EXPECTED RESULTS

Considering the current situation, characterized by increased production costs—especially after the increase in fuel prices—the introduction of the proposed cultivation protocol will help to reduce costs and produce high quality products.

Progress: 30%

Addressing the problem

In the pilot fields of the program, applications of innovative management and conventional fertilization will be installed (with a total area of ​​at least 200 hectares), as well as a network of local weather stations in appropriately selected locations. In each field, the required amount of N per spatial management zone will be estimated and the fertilization maps will be uploaded to the VRA fertilizer distributors, where, using GPS, the required amount will be applied to the appropriate zones. At the same time, Good Agricultural Practices for rice will be applied.

Analyzes related to food safety and hygiene will be carried out. More specifically, the produced rice will be tested for the presence of heavy metals, pesticide residues and the presence of mycotoxins. In all the pilot fields, an economic analysis will be carried out, the quality, the NO₃⁻ content of the seeds and the levels of nitrate pollution in adjacent water sources will be assessed. The results of using the innovative service will be compared with the usual lubrication practices, the advantages will be recognized and the potential problems will be solved.

Expected results from the implementation of the project

  • Reducing the environmental footprint by limiting nitrate pollution of groundwater. Performance indicator: reduction of NO₃⁻ in soil and water through laboratory analyses.
  • Production of a low-input product of optimal quality, with the possibility of added value through the creation of special marking. Performance indicator: market penetration of the new product and increase in selling price.
  • Reduction of production costs through the application of reduced inputs in rice cultivation. Performance index: mean reduction of fertilization costs in paddy fields and confidence intervals.
  • Increasing the competitiveness of Greek rice. The produced product will be able to bear the stamp of reduced environmental footprint. Performance indicator: export growth per producer.
  • Preparing the agricultural sector for the upcoming changes of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy.