The 18th International Conference of the Hellenic Association of Agricultural Economists (ETAGRO) was held in Florina, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture of the University of Western Macedonia.
Under the theme “Strengthening the sustainability and resilience of rural economies: Green transition, digitalization and competitiveness”, the conference served as a meeting point for scientists, researchers and students from Greece and abroad, highlighting contemporary challenges and prospects in the agricultural sector.
Over the course of the two-day conference, a total of 106 scientific papers were presented by authors from 27 countries. 61 of them were delivered in person, while 45 were showcased as digital posters throughout the conference.
The conference proceedings opened with two keynote speeches: one by Professor Konstantinos Mattas of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, titled “From Fork to Farm to Save the Planet” and one by Mr. Nikos Kalinis, Programme Manager of the Greek CAP Plan 2023-2027 at the Directorate-General for Agriculture of the European Commission, titled “From Survival to Prosperity: A Family Testimony to the Achievements of the CAP.”
On the second day, a roundtable discussion was held on “Resilient Agriculture and Rural Societies under the New CAP”. The discussion brought together distinguished representatives from government, academia and agricultural organizations: Mr. Antonis Filippis, Secretary General of Rural Policy and International Affairs at the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Mr. Nikos Kalinis, Manager of the Greek CAP Plan 2023-2027 of the European Union, Mr. Moschos Korasidis, General Director of the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Greece (ETHEAS), Professor Konstantinos Tsiboukas (Agricultural University of Athens), Professor Spyridon Mamalis (Democritus University of Thrace) and Professors Panagiota Sergaki and Dimitrios Natos (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki). The discussion was moderated by Professor Katerina Melfou, Chairwoman of ETAGRO and member of the Executive Council of the University of Western Macedonia.
More than 190 participants from seven countries attended the conference, confirming its international character and scientific impact. The 18th International Conference of ETAGRO is already regarded as one of the most successful in the Association’s long history, making a substantial contribution to the exchange of knowledge and experience on the challenges and opportunities of the contemporary agricultural economy.
University of Western Macedonia
