A small island in the periphery of Europe, Kythera, whose inhabitants act in their place, for their place, gives answers to such an important issue, such as the looming food crisis.

The President of the European Commission, Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen, referred to Kythera at the conference Rural Pact. He stressed the importance of the support for innovative and smart actions (precision agriculture and certification) carried out on the island under the programme Terra Kytheria. The program «run» on the island the KIPA with the MedINA.

This reference has resulted from the participation of Kythera as a «smart village» in the action SmartRural 21. In this context, Terra Kytheria has been extensively presented and the collaboration with the Agricultural University of Athens (Smart Farming Technology Group) in data capture with drones.

«Smart villages like this are transforming Europe's countryside, creating new jobs and business opportunities and finding solutions to population loss and climate change through innovation.». This from the lips of Mrs von der Leyen.

It was no coincidence that the president mentioned the two products that are the flag of Kythera, the oil and the honey.

At the moment for life itself on the European continent, the most valuable species to be protected are the pollinators. That is insects, such as the bees, that keep nature alive, and that in continental Europe are disappearing at a tragic rate after the excessive use of pesticides. The nature of Kythera, with the wild flowers and the 3000 species of insects is a valuable European treasure. The meadows where the Tirigot bees graze, where the Tirigot honey is produced, are the lost paradise for Europeans.

The production of Tsirigotiko oil, outside of mass production processes but with modern innovative control and certification procedures, is the other report from official lips. The object of the Terra Kytheria project is also the protection of perennial olives, while trees over 100 years old are protected throughout Europe.

The Kythera, with the a long history of action by foundations and local associations, Kythera of the people - the citizens, who care, work, love and protect their place, respond with an innovative programme to such a hot topic in contemporary Europe.

It is a great honour to be recognised by the official lips of the effort made on the island. And those who worked for it are worthy of praise.