Measure 16

MEASURE 16 is implemented within the framework of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) of Greece 2014-2020 co-financed by the European Union – European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). It includes Sub-Measures 16.1-16.2 “Establishment and operation of Operational Groups of the European Innovation Partnership for agricultural productivity and sustainability” of national and transnational scope and 16.1 – 16.5 “Cooperation for environmental projects, environmental practices and actions on climate change” of regional and national scope range.

In the context of Sub-Measures 16.1 – 16.2 and 16.1 – 16.5, the opportunity is given for the exploitation of new technologies, which may include indicatively the application of new, innovative processes, in the primary production of agricultural products and in the food sector, as well as for the search for new cultivation and production practices that contribute to the protection of the environment but also to adaptation to climate change. The actions to be undertaken necessarily fall within the primary production of agricultural products and may subsequently also fall within the food sector.

In particular, Sub-Measure 16.1 – 16.2 supports the development of partnerships, through Operational Groups of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP), for actions related to the development of new products, processes and technologies in the agricultural sector to strengthen the competitiveness of enterprises in primary production (agricultural holdings) and in the food sector, such as:

• The production of safer and higher nutritional value foods addressed either to the general population or to special categories.
• Ensuring the uniqueness of certified agricultural products.
• The utilization of by-products of agricultural production and by-products of animal production to produce animal feed.
• Highlighting the special nutritional characteristics of agricultural products and their contribution to the adoption of healthy eating standards (such as foods rich in Ω3, naturally unsaturated, low calories) or food production that meets special dietary needs.
• Better integration into the food chain of Greek livestock products.
• Innovative and collaborative practices for feed production and use.
• New methods and practices for the welfare and protection of productive animals.
• Creation of new milk and meat products.
• Use of new technology and IT systems to monitor and manage livestock and the microclimate of the livestock unit.

Sub-Measure 16.1 – 16.5 supports the development of partnerships, through Operational Groups, for the search for new cultivation and production practices that contribute to environmental protection and adaptation to climate change, such as:

• Reducing water consumption through the adoption of advanced irrigation systems and the adoption of precision agriculture.
• Reducing the volume but also the composition of inputs (reducing the use of fertilizers, pesticides, adopting new varieties that are better adapted to the local soil, hydrological and climatic conditions, the utilization of RES to replace fossil fuels, the replacement of chemical fertilization).
• The adoption of friendlier agricultural practices as well as the adoption of crops for the utilization of soils poor in organic matter and nutrients.
• Energy saving (thermal insulation, new air conditioning systems).
• Waste and wastewater recycling and management.