For a viable development and exploitation of the comparative advantages of the region to take place, concern for the environment is essential. The Chamber of Trikala, has taken on a new initiative: the creation of the first “eco-friendly greenhouse” on a national level.
The term was first introduced by the President of the Chamber of Trikala Mr. Vassilis Giagiakos, at an event held by the Chamber and KETA Thessaly, concerning investment law, stressing that it combines the need for the reinforcement of environmental policies with the strengthening of the primary sector. The new term has a specific practical provision. According to Mr. Giagiako it is part of the action taken by the Chamber of Trikala to strengthen the primary sector. “Following the integration of the primary sector into the development law which was a standard proposal of the Chamber, there is a need for the effective promotion of innovative actions which will broaden the prospects of the local production base”, stressed Mr. Giagiakos.
The development of Thessaly cannot take place without the primary sector and tourism. As for tourism, in addition to other initiatives (exhibitions etc), there are concrete proposals by the Chamber of Trikala which are in the process of being elaborated and promoted for inclusion in financial programmes in cooperation with the municipalities of Aithiko and Pilis as well as other bodies. As for the primary sector, following its inclusion in the development law and in collaboration with the staff at the University of Thessaly, “the eco-friendly greenhouse” has been promoted.
What is the “eco-friendly greenhouse”?
The Chamber’s development company promotes integration into the 4th CSF sectoral programme a comprehensive programme which will combine the production of products with research into alternative and more economical energy sources. More particularly, in the Prefecture of Trikala, a model greenhouse will be created where research will be carried out into greenhouse crops but also into alternative energy sources. The aim of the project is to ensure the required energy for heating the greenhouse comes from alternative sources. The main forms of alternative energy to be researched will be geothermal energy, and biogas which comes from biomass. Similar forms of energy are already being used abroad with positive results. The highest cost which is directly related to whether or not a greenhouse is viable is the heating cost. In our region, greenhouse owners use mainly fuel oil. However, with the sharp rise in oil prices, greenhouse crops tend to be unprofitable.
New forms of energy
Therefore, there is a real need to search for new forms of energy to support greenhouse crops, which can then be further developed in our Prefecture, making it one of the main suppliers of greenhouse products to Central European markets. Already, since the decade of the 80’s it is common knowledge that Thessaly, owing to its soil and climate, produces tasty products and so could become the “kitchen garden of Europe”, providing an outlet to thousands of farmers, but also improving the standardization process of exportable agricultural products.
The research which will take place at the “eco-friendly greenhouse” will not only be into new and varied crop cultivations but also into environmentally friendly ones. Alternative forms of energy will be used at the “eco-friendly greenhouse”. The know-how emerging from this process will be utilized to the benefit of the local farmers and others.
The proposal and its integration
The proposal is in the preparation stage. As soon as it is completed, funding will be applied for from the 4th CSF sectoral programme which is particularly “sensitive” to environmental issues.
Contemporary awareness of development
This particular initiative, the results of which are awaited with interest, creates a precedent. It creates a precedent as it responds to the contemporary awareness of development. A policy of development is inconceivable, whether in Trikala or more generally anywhere in Thessaly, if is not based on an integrated approach, which among others, respects the environment and promotes the creation of new research infrastructures and is programmed in close consultation with businesses and production bodies.
Thessaly has been lagging behind in the area of integrating knowledge into the production process and such initiatives are a chance to catch up.
