On April 22, 2021, the first informational meeting was held as part of the new public service program “Terra Kytheria – Sustainable Agriculture in Kythira”, which aims to support the olive growers and the promotion of Kythira olive oil.
The meeting was attended, both online and in person in the conference room of the Kythira Association in Country, approximately 45 olive oil producers from all regions of the Kythira.
The meeting began with his opening remarks President of the Kythira Foundation for Culture and Development (KIPA), Mr. George Kasimatis, of President of the Livadi Agricultural Cooperative, Mr. Nikos Stathis and of Agricultural Olive Oil Cooperative of Potamos, Mr. Panagiotis Souris.
The program coordinator, Mr. King Zafiriou, presented the program’s purpose and components, as well as the five steps producers must follow. The goal is to promote olive oil by capitalizing on the island’s comparative advantages, such as its local identity and sustainable farming methods.
The program coordinator Terra Lemnia of Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Humanity, κ. George Dimitropoulos, referred to the program's successes in Lemnos, and in the transfer of know-how to the Kythera as an extension of that.
Ο Professor at the University of the Aegean, Mr. Thanasis Kizos, he referred to the best-practices model that will lead to voluntary certification, as well as to the use of tools that will make it easier for producers themselves to monitor their farms.
The coordinator of the biodiversity team, Mr. Nikos Georgiadis, highlighted the multiple benefits of biodiversity for Kythira and its olive groves in particular, and how it will be leveraged within the program to add value to the agricultural products produced there.
Finally, Mr. Alexis Kotoulas, an expert in the promotion of agricultural products, referred to the effort to develop a ‘roadmap’ for the distribution of Kythira olive oil. There is already significant participation in the program.
Olive oil producers who are interested are asked to express their interest immediately to the cooperatives in Kythira or to KIPA. The program is moving forward, and applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
- KIPA Contact Information: Email: info@kipa-foundation.org / Phone: 210.3832806 (Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) and at 27360.37006 (Monday–Friday afternoons 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.).
- Contact Information for the Livadi Agricultural Cooperative:
Email: info@aslivadiou.gr / Tel. 27360.31287
- Contact Information for the Potamos Agricultural Olive Oil Cooperative:
Email: agrosynpotamou@yahoo.gr / Phone: 27360.33404 / 27360.33476 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.)
More Information :
Terra Kytheria - Sustainable Agriculture in Kythera: The Terra Kytheria program aims to support olive oil producers and promote Kytherian olive oil. It is based on a cultivation and certification system that will be adapted to local methods and will preserve the island’s traditional agricultural landscapes as well as its biodiversity. It is an extension of the successful Terra Lemnia program on Lemnos. (More information: CFS website, Terra Lemnia) .
The programme is implemented by the Kythira Foundation for Culture & Development (KIPA) and the Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Man (MedINA), in cooperation with Agricultural Olive Oil Cooperative of Potamos, the Agricultural Cooperative of Livadi, the University of the Aegean, the University of Patras and with the AK&P consulting team, which specializes in the promotion of agricultural products.
Kythira Foundation for Culture and Development (KIPA): Since 2006, the Kythira Foundation has been promoting the cultural and natural heritage of Kythira, while contributing to the sustainable development and quality of life of the local community through educational activities, events, scientific conferences, and the restoration of traditional trails, among other initiatives. For more information: Website / Facebook / Instagram
Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Humanity (MedINA): MedINA was founded in 2003, and its mission is to help people recognize the value of and the connection between their cultural and natural heritage and to work toward a just and sustainable future. More information: Web / Facebook / Instagram
