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Fresh Fruit Pilot Project
Published on 27 August 2020
Greece
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The "Fresh Fruit" brings together technological solutions surrounding fresh fruits (grapes, kiwis, etc.). It aims to test and establish these technologies at demonstration farms and farms that act as living labs throughout Europe and it encourages cross-regional knowledge transfer and facilitate private investment in AgTech. The three test sites of the project are located in the Region of Central Macedonia and Tuscany Region.
The “High Tech Farming” interregional partnership aims to modernise the agricultural sector by improving the uptake and implementation of high-tech solutions across various agricultural sectors. The partnership seeks to create an ecosystem for testing, dissemination and commercialisation of technological solutions and to connect regional authorities, demonstration farms and technology providers.
“FreshFruit” is one of the two projects currently running in the context of the “High Tech Farming” partnership. The starting point of the pilot project was the strong interest of the American Farm School in Thessaloniki and the Region of Central Macedonia to better address the needs of regional producers. They decided to develop a new service, which aims to improve the quality and overall management of table grape and kiwi production in the Region. The development of the new service was inspired by the experiences of Tuscany Region and their demonstration farm in Alberese, which shows in practice the economic benefits of viticulture and selective harvesting.
The “High Tech Farming” interregional partnership aims to modernise the agricultural sector by improving the uptake and implementation of high-tech solutions across various agricultural sectors. The partnership seeks to create an ecosystem for testing, dissemination and commercialisation of technological solutions and to connect regional authorities, demonstration farms and technology providers.
“FreshFruit” is one of the two projects currently running in the context of the “High Tech Farming” partnership. The starting point of the pilot project was the strong interest of the American Farm School in Thessaloniki and the Region of Central Macedonia to better address the needs of regional producers. They decided to develop a new service, which aims to improve the quality and overall management of table grape and kiwi production in the Region. The development of the new service was inspired by the experiences of Tuscany Region and their demonstration farm in Alberese, which shows in practice the economic benefits of viticulture and selective harvesting.
Resources needed
Total Budget of the project, 4465000Euro
Total Budget for the Region of Central Macedonia, 965000Euro
Total Budget for the Region of Central Macedonia, 965000Euro
Evidence of success
Recently the Fresh Fruit pilot project has been awarded technical support from TAF. A range of stakeholders is involved in the development of the pilot case, which is also supported by institutional actors and the project was able to attract the interest of some private companies as potential project suppliers. The project has the potential to generate revenues and become commercially viable, which is also confirmed by the consortium’s capacity to to secure some initial funding for the project.
Potential for learning or transfer
The project activities include both the creation of an innovation ecosystem in the Region as well as the testing of new pilot technologies. The ecosystem comprised of farmers, suppliers (including nurseries), clients (including importers and retailers), field advisors, technology providers, researchers and trainers, private funds and public stakeholders. The American Farm School plays the role of integrator, acting both as a competence centre and as a digital innovation hub. The participating regions, outside Central Macedonia, provide connections with technology providers, thus opening international market opportunities for newly commercialised technologies.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
American Farm School
Greece
Kentriki Makedonia
Contact
DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT