Calls grow for comprehensive agricultural plan in Rhodope at Regional Development Conference
Farmers, local authorities, and government officials convened in Gümülcine for the 2nd Rhodope Agricultural Development Conference, calling for a comprehensive strategy to revitalize the region’s primary sector amid mounting economic pressures.
The conference, held in Gümülcine, brought together key stakeholders including Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Thanasis Kontogeorgis and Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Giannis Andrianos, alongside MPs, local government representatives, academics, cooperatives, and farmers.
Urgent Need for Structural Reform
Organized by the Rhodope Farmers and Entrepreneurs Association in cooperation with the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace and supported by Democritus University of Thrace, the conference aimed to lay the groundwork for restructuring the agricultural sector in Rhodope.
Association President Kyriakos Krokos emphasized that farmers are already facing severe challenges, which have been exacerbated by rising fuel and supply costs linked to ongoing geopolitical instability.
Government: Commitments Moving Forward
Deputy Minister Kontogeorgis acknowledged that the past year has been particularly difficult for the primary sector but stressed that government commitments are being implemented as quickly as possible.
He referred to key infrastructure projects, including irrigation networks and flood control systems, supported through national funding, EU programs, and the Green Fund.
Focus on Support Measures and Crisis Response
Deputy Minister Andrianos highlighted ongoing government support measures, including subsidies for agricultural fuel and fertilizers, particularly in response to rising costs associated with geopolitical tensions in the Persian Gulf.
He also addressed challenges in the livestock sector, including disease outbreaks such as sheep pox and foot-and-mouth disease, stressing continued support for farmers to rebuild livestock capital and sustain rural communities.
Local Concerns: Delays, Payments, and Water Management
MP Evripidis Stylianidis pointed to major issues affecting the region, including delays in payments to farmers, land registration complications, and the urgent need for improved water resource management.
He noted that approximately 40% of Rhodope’s GDP depends on agriculture, underlining the sector’s critical importance to the local economy.
Proposal to Relocate ELGA Services
Meanwhile, Özgür Ferhat called for the decentralization of ELGA services, proposing their relocation to Gümülcine to enhance regional support and expand their role beyond compensation toward planning and development.
Regional Authorities Stress Agriculture as Growth Pillar
Regional Governor Christodoulos Topsidis described the primary sector as the cornerstone of regional development, emphasizing ongoing infrastructure investments, particularly in irrigation, and the importance of collaboration between institutions and academia.
Farmers Warn of Critical Situation
Farmers’ representatives warned that the sector is approaching a critical point. Rising input costs, combined with inadequate infrastructure for water retention and recurring financial pressures, threaten the sustainability of agricultural production.
They called for immediate financial support and structural reforms, warning that another difficult year like the previous one could have devastating consequences for producers.
