Future of agriculture to be discussed at major congress in Gümülcine
The future of agriculture in northern Greece is set to take center stage at the 2nd Agricultural Congress in Gümülcine on Friday, March 27, bringing together farmers, experts, and policymakers to address key challenges facing the sector.
Organized by the Rhodope Professional Farmers and Entrepreneurs Association, the congress will be held at the Chris-Ev Hotel and aims to provide practical and scientific solutions for the region’s agricultural future.
Water Management and Kompsatos Dam in Focus
A central theme of the congress will be water resource management and infrastructure projects, particularly recent developments surrounding the Kompsatos Dam (Kuruçay Dam).
According to organizing committee member and journalist Thanasis Antoniu, the first edition of the congress played a key role in accelerating progress on the dam project. Once completed, the dam is expected to reduce production costs and ensure sustainable irrigation for agricultural land across the Rodopi region.
Officials have also indicated that, if necessary, funding could be sought from the European Investment Bank to support the project.
Regional Authorities Expected to Announce Updates
Christodoulos Topsidis, Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, is expected to deliver important updates on the dam and broader agricultural infrastructure during the event.
Focus on Cotton, Sustainability, and New Farming Models
The congress will also address cotton production, alternative crops, and innovative agricultural models aimed at improving resilience and profitability in a changing economic and environmental landscape.
Association President Kiryakos Krokos called on farmers to participate, highlighting that discussions will include the impact of carbon footprint regulations on agricultural income—an increasingly critical issue for European farmers.
The event is being organized in cooperation with Democritus University of Thrace, ensuring a strong scientific foundation for policy proposals and sectoral solutions.
Broad Institutional Support
The congress is supported by regional and local authorities, including the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace and the Municipality of Komotini, underlining its importance for the area’s economic development.
The event will begin at 10:00 AM on March 27 and is open to all farmers and stakeholders.
