GAIA EPICHEIREIN at the 11th Copa-Cogeca European Farmers’ Congress

GAIA EPICHEIREIN participated at the 11th Copa-Cogeca European Farmers’ Congress, held in Bucharest, Romania, from October 23 to 25, 2024

This biennial event gathers cooperatives and agricultural organizations from across Europe, making it a premier forum for shaping the future of the agricultural sector through innovation and technology.

Representing GAIA EPICHEIREIN, Mr. Konstantinos Giannopoulos, General Director of the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Thessaloniki (EASTH), showcased the benefits of the ongoing “Digital Transformation of Agriculture” project, known as “Agriculture with Intelligence“, currently being implemented in Greece. This innovative project, funded by the European Union and the National Recovery and Resilience Fund, is led by GAIA EPICHEIREIN’s technology partner, NEUROPUBLIC S.A., OTE Group, and the marketing firm Skarmoutsos Georgios. The project aims to build a national infrastructure for smart agriculture by integrating advanced technologies like IoT, Big Data, and drones. By utilizing this infrastructure, real-time data is collected and analyzed from meteorological stations and analytical systems, providing farmers with specialized agronomic guidance and advanced decision-making tools.

During his presentation, Mr. Giannopoulos shared a short video that underscored the crucial role of cooperatives in gathering and leveraging this data, paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient agricultural sector. The project drew enthusiastic responses from attendees, who recognized its potential to serve as a model for data-driven agricultural management across Europe.

Mr. Giannopoulos also highlighted the significance of collaboration and EASTH’s commitment to promoting innovation, noting, “Through our involvement in initiatives and networks like GAIA EPICHEIREIN, we ensure our members are well-prepared to tackle the challenges of modern agriculture.” He continued, “These collaborations bring European-level innovations and policy discussions back to our farmers, ensuring they benefit from the latest technological advancements and regulatory developments. Through these connections, we are fostering a forward-thinking agricultural sector that embraces innovation and cooperation for sustainable growth.”

The Greek delegation from GAIA Epicherein included Mr. Anestis Trypitsidis (CEO), Mr. Christos Barlias (Vice President), Mr. Christos Tsichitas (Board Member), and Mr. Vasilis Pyrgiotis (Head of the Brussels office). Throughout the congress, participants engaged in workshops, thematic panels, and field visits to Romanian agricultural sites, exchanging insights and practices that support sustainable growth in European agriculture.