Aromatic and medicinal plants in Western Macedonia – Written by Magda Andronikidou

TECHNICAL REGULATIONS FOR THE TRADE OF MULTIPLICATION MATERIAL AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF SUBDIVISIONS. NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN (ESS) OF THE AFF. CERTIFICATION OF MULTIPLICATION MATERIAL (PPY).

– THE BEST OF ALL HUMAN ACTIVITIES IS AGRICULTURAL ART (A. Rousseau)

<< IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE SEED >>

It was the period of the economic crisis and the memoranda in our country, over a decade, that the cultivation of AFF in Western Macedonia began dynamically. It is the first Region in the AFF, it has continuity and consistency, it is seriously involved and invests in the AFF. It is close to Institutes – universities – chambers – bodies – services of the HYPAAT. The trigger of all the processes was the interest shown by the producers – processors which is constantly increasing and which attracts the interest of foreign markets.

From his evidence OPEKEPE (source) of 2022 and from its data processing HERBS&OILS it follows that the West Macedonia is the second AFF region this year with 26,870 square meters (27.3%) of the country, K. Macedonia Region with 23,543 square meters (24.0%), Thessaly Region first this year with 28,986 square meters (29.7%) . They are the P.E Kozani with 17,366 str (lavender – saffron), the P.E Larissa with 18366 sq.m. (oregano-lavender), PE of Thessaloniki with 10,536 str. (oregano-lavender), PE of Magnesia 8,856 str. (oregano-mountain tea), PE of Grevena 6,528 str. (lavender) . In 2012, Greece cultivated 20 thousand hectares, today it cultivates 98 thousand hectares of AFF.

Greece with its wealth plant biodiversity but also with the problem of loss of rare – threatened by arbitrary collection and with the international biopiracy of AFF, it should not remain idle. Let’s preserve the richness and uniqueness of our herbs. Let’s preserve it plant genetic material and not only.

When we say PLANT PROPAGATION MATERIAL we mean all those parts of the plant that can be used to produce a new plantation. It was one of the primary observations of primitive man. Multiplication is native with seed the rude with various departments of the aboveground or underground part of the plant such as cuttings – rhizomes – tubers – bulbs. By inbreeding the characteristics of the parent are transferred to the parent, necessary for quality and performance. Greece should have been the world power in the seeds instead of Holland or Denmark. <> it is the AFF, says professor A. Tsavataris, former minister (the best) of the YPAAT. They are a comparative advantage for the country and their cultivation should be supported.

It was the beginning of 2013 in the West. Macedonia (station), where the General Secretary of the Decentralized Administration of Epirus – West. Macedonia o Ilias Theodoridis and Mrs. Georgia Zebiliadou (special secretary of the NSRF)took the initiative following meetings to speed up the process Certification of Propagation Material (P.P.Y.) in the AFF that answer the area like oregano-mountain tea-sage-chamomile-fennel-lavender.. They believed that the certification of genetic material (G.P.Y.) is of the utmost importance for the competitiveness of Greek products and through this the promotion of Greek food items in international markets. They believed that PPY contributes not only to the strengthening of the local economy but also to the enrichment and highlighting of the uniqueness of the plant wealth of the entire country. First of all, they believed in the effort of the Greek farmers of the West. Macedonia.

It was in 2014 that, due to the great interest shown in the cultivation of AFF and the lack of an institutional framework for the marketing of certified material, the two regulations signed by the then Deputy Minister of HYPAAT were published Pari Koukoulopoulos:

1) TECHNICAL REGULATION OF TRADE OF MULTIPLICATION MATERIAL

Y.A 7594/115508/12-9-2014

2) TECHNICAL REGULATION FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF AFF VARIETIES (dill, basil, chamomile, thyme, oregano) Y.A 7057/102367/2014 (Official Gazette 2266 B)

It was in May 2017 that it was prepared the NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN for public transport (Minister E.Apostolou), with the aim of cultivating, processing, promoting and marketing the AFF and the better coordination of all the competent bodies. For the E.S.S representatives of the competent services of HYPAAT and HYPEKA, Organizations, Universities and Companies cooperated. Producers and Associations.

It was in 2023 that the project was presented << strong> >> from Ms. Lina Hatzopoulouhead at the time and Director today of the institute of genetic improvement & plant genetic resources of ELGO-DIMITRA with the support-financing of KOZANI MUNICIPALITY. They are the top herbs of the study Mountain Tea, sageoregano.

It was in 2019 2^the AFF Exhibition and Conference in Western Macedonia. We hope that the new Regional Authority in 2024 will organize the 3^the exhibition – conference in Kozani.

It was after 2015 that the AFF essential oil distillation units increased nationwide and in the West. Macedonia.

It was in 2015 that a research-study was carried out in the framework of the doctoral thesis of Mr. D. Galamatis AUTH on the use of AFF in poultry farming with the conclusion that with << a little sage in their feed, the hens lay quality and more eggs>>. There are several similar studies-researches by institutions – universities – institutes about the precious wealth of AFF, about their miraculous aromatic – medicinal properties that should not remain in the drawers, but should be made known through conferences and applied.

It was in April 2022 that the Institute was founded at GPA (Agricultural University of Athens) for the study and promotion of AFF and with the mission of connecting research and the production of knowledge of GPA with producers, with the food – medicine and cosmetology industry as well as the integration of the corresponding products in the international shopping network

It was in 2023 that the EKETA with the cheese factory BOURINOS and HERBS&OILS collaborated to produce innovative cheese products with AFF. Similar synergies have been implemented by relevant corresponding companies or businesses in the public transport sector in our Prefecture. It would be good if they were made known for the benefit of the PTA industry.

It was in 2023 that a company from our region was present at the IFEAT conference in Berlin. The EU was headed by MEP Ms. M. Spyrakis, who earlier visited AFF distillation units in Greece – Bulgaria for information. So it is true that Greece is a force to be reckoned with in essential oils. Greece is recognizable power now abroad in AFF and Essential Oils.

It is true that units and corresponding businesses produce – create cosmetics, create biofunctional foods after studies – research, participate with synergies in programs e.g. COLLABORATION and elsewhere.

It is true that respective companies visit international fairs regularly or exhibit their products internationally and primarily in the country.

It is true that many individual growers make efforts to enjoy the added value of their products. Unfortunately, there is a lack of a reliable collective scheme in our region.

YES therefore in the cultivation of the AFF because it also utilizes mountainous – semi-mountainous areas that make up 75% (over 650 m.) of the country. YES because it utilizes barren lands. YES because it can utilize lands that will be affected by climate change with limited costs (supplies, water, etc.) TOI for the environment. TOI in the investment activity of the sector because the benefits are economic – social – environmental.

MAGDA ANDRONIKIDOU

HERBS&OILS ADVISOR

KOZANH MARCH 2024