About HCPA-AgriBusiness Forum Pieria 2023

The HCPA-AgriBusiness Forum 2023 is held on 3-5/11/2023 in Leptokaria-Pieria (Poseidon Palace) highlighting “Crop protection: catalyst for agrifood systems transformation in the green & digital era”.

It features 11 high-caliber sessions, 45 speakers and is addressed to farmers, agronomists, businesses, cooperatives, policymakers, research & academia. Realtime broadcasting in Greek & English will be available.

Co-organized with: Hellenic Crop Protection Association

Speakers

Mr. Antonis Paraskevopoulos

Director Agricultural Economy & Veterinary, Trifilia Region

Mr. Michalis Kolyvas

Plant Protection Manager, K&N Efthymiadis S.A

Mr. Antonis Vezyroglou

Founder & CEO, Vezyroglou Farm

Mr. Panayiotis Gouviotis

Head Agronomist, Agricultural Cooperative of Zagora

Agenda

Friday, November 3, 2023

09.30-09.45

Welcome remarks

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum, President Geo Routes Institute
09.45-10.00

Keynote statement

photoMr. George Pontikas

President HCPA, President & CEO Syngenta Hellas
10.00-11.30

Chapter-1: The road of Greek and European agriculture towards 2030

photoMr. Dionysios Stamenitis

Deputy Minister, Ministry of Agriculture & Food
Crop protection challenges in the Green Architecture of the New Common Agricultural Policy

photoMr. Vassos Efthymiadis

A' Vice-President HCPA, Managing Director at K&N Efthymiadis S.A
European Agriculture 2030 : the Crop Protection industry perspective

photoMr. Christos Yiannakakis

Vice President, National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives
Tools to adapt agricultural production to climate change

photoDr Stathis Klonaris

Professor of Agricultural Economy & Development, Agricultural University of Athens
Greek CSP2023-2027: Implementation and amendment

Moderator

photoDr. Charalambos Kasimis

Professor Emeritus, Department of Agricultural Economics & Rural Development, Agricultural University of Athens
11.30-11.45

Break

11.45-13.15

Chapter-2: Crop protection challenges in strategic agricultural crops

photoDr. George Salpingidis

Viticultural Director, E.Tsantalis Group SA
Plant protection challenges in strategic agricultural crops – Vine

photoMr. Panayiotis Gouviotis

Head Agronomist, Agricultural Cooperative of Zagora
Plant protection challenges in strategic agricultural crops - Apple

photoMr. Antonis Vezyroglou

Founder & CEO, Vezyroglou Farm
Plant protection challenges in strategic agricultural crops - Horticulture

photoMr. Antonis Paraskevopoulos

Director Agricultural Economy & Veterinary, Trifilia Region
Plant protection challenges in strategic agricultural crops - Olive

photoDr. Dimitrios Stavridis

Deputy Director Agricultural Economy, Thessaly Region
Plant protection challenges in strategic agricultural crops - Cotton

Moderator

photoMr. Kostas Oikonomidis

CP Marketing & Technical Head of Mediterranean Business Area, Syngenta
13.15-14.15

Lunch break

14.15-15.45

Chapter-3: Innovation, new technologies, sustainable solutions

photoDr. Spyros Fountas

Professor, Agricultural University of Athens
Innovations in precision spraying

photoDr. Ilias Eleftherochorinos

Professor Emeritus Weed Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Plant protection practices for the present and the future

photoDr. Machi Simeonidou

Co-Founder & General Manager, AgroApps
The pivotal role of digital agriculture in crop protection

photoMs. Chara Panagopoulou

SPV plant protection products, Ministry of Rural Development & Food
European legislation on plant protection and the Green Deal challenges

photoMr. Michal Kicinski

Senior Manager Sustainable Agriculture, CropLife Europe
Unlocking the Potential of New Technologies for a More Sustainable Agricultural Model

Moderator

photoMr. Manolis Panagiotopoulos

BoD Member at HCPA, Country Commercial Lead, Crop Science Division Bayer Hellas
15.45-16.00

Break

16.00-17.30

Chapter-4: Soil, water resources, biodiversity, environment

photoMr. Kostas Papasotiriou

B' Vice-President HCPA, Managing Director UPL Hellas
Carbon Footprint Reduction - A Big Challenge in Global Agriculture

photoDr. Chris Cavalaris

Laboratory Teaching member University of Thessaly
President HACA
Soil health as a prerequisite for a sustainable agriculture

photoMr. Michalis Kolyvas

Plant Protection Manager, K&N Efthymiadis S.A
Climate change and consequences in agriculture

photoDr. Anna Kalamaraki

Regulatory Affairs Manager, ADAMA Hellas
Integrated Crop Management with emphasis in Integrated Pest Management

photoDr. Andreas Panagopoulos

Research Director, Soil & Water Resources Institute, HAO-Demeter
Water resources protection and management

photoDr. Filitsa Karamaouna

Research Director in Agricultural Entomology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute
Plant protection and biodiversity conservation

Moderator

photoMs. Francesca Ydraiou

Director General, HCPA
17.30-17.45

Break

17.45-19.00

Chapter-5: Ecosystems & synergies

photoMr. Geert Wilms

Director, LIB/ZLTO (South Holland Farmers Organization)
Academia, Farmers and Government working on the transition of agriculture. Triple helix approach in practice, the example of crop protection

photoMs. Valentina Disoska

President, Association of Business Women in North Macedonia
Using ​women's potential​s to create synerg​ies & growth of regional​ and international cooperation in the development of agriculture ​&​ rural economies

photoMr. Xenophon Kappas

General Director, Captain Vassilis & Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation
Supporting Development through Synergies: The case study of Messinia

photoDr. Vassilis Kotoulas

Head of malting barley contract farming program, Athenian Brewery
Sustainable development of contract farming programs – the case of malting barley

photoMr. Moschos Korasidis

Director General, National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives
Food partnerships and their role in local development and synergy with cooperatives

Moderator

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum, President Geo Routes Institute
19.00-21.00

Networking reception

Saturday, November 4, 2023

09.30-10.00

Welcome remarks

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum, President Geo Routes Institute

photoMr. George Pontikas

President HCPA, President & CEO Syngenta Hellas
10.00-11.30

Chapter-6: Sustainable entrepreneurship, financial tools, risk management

photoMr. Dimitris Lianos

Partner, LKN ANALYSIS
Competitiveness - Environmental - Climate sustainability - Risk Management in the Greek SP CAP 2023-2027

photoMr. Alexandros Dimitrakopoulos

Regional Mandate Manager, European Investment Fund
How can financial instruments improve Greek Agri competitiveness?

photoMr. Andreas Lykourentzos

President, Organisation of Greek Agricultural Insurances
Climate change, Extreme Weather Conditions and the ElGA regulation

photoMr. Vasileios Gaitanaros

Director, Contractual Banking, Piraeus Bank
Financial support of sustainable value chains

Moderator

photoMr. Anthony D. Papayannides

Journalist
11.30-12.00

Break

12.00-13.30

Chapter-7: Training - Education: the only way to address a safe transition in the digital era

photoMr. Dimitris Papagiannidis

Secretary General of European Funds & Infrastructure, Ministry of Agriculture
Financial tools for agricultural training & education in the primary sector

photoMr. Panagiotis Chatzinikolaou

Managing Director, ELGO-Demeter
Agricultural education & training at the Ministry of Rural Development and Food; the role of ELGO DIMITRA faced with new challenges & perspectives

photoMr. Thanasis Zounos

Head of Plant Protection Department, Ministry of Agriculture
Requirements of European legislation for the training of professionals involved in plant protection

photoDr. Alex Koutsouris

Professor Agricultural Extension, Rural Systems & Rural Sociology, Agricultural University of Athens
The Greek Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS): problems & prospects

photoMr. Menelaos Gardikiotis

President, Geotechnical Chamber of Greece
EU AKIS program in force; Greece struggles setting the basics

Moderator

photoMs. Maria Samolada

Journalist
13.30-14.30

Moderators remarks & conclusions

photoMs. Francesca Ydraiou

Director General, HCPA

photoMr. Manolis Panagiotopoulos

BoD Member at HCPA, Country Commercial Lead, Crop Science Division Bayer Hellas

photoDr. Charalambos Kasimis

Professor Emeritus, Department of Agricultural Economics & Rural Development, Agricultural University of Athens

photoMr. Anthony D. Papayannides

Journalist

photoMr. Kostas Oikonomidis

CP Marketing & Technical Head of Mediterranean Business Area, Syngenta

photoMs. Maria Samolada

Journalist

Moderator

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum, President Geo Routes Institute
14.30-17.30

Field visit programme

Kiwifruit Producers Pyrgetos Cooperative (more at Practical Information, Field Visit)

Sunday, November 5, 2023: Roundtable "Thessaly case: present & future"

09.15-09.30

Welcome remarks

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum, President Geo Routes Institute
09.30-10.15

Roundtable-1: Post 'Daniel' reality in Thessaly

The effects on livestock, agricultural production, local economy and processing facilities

photoMr. Panayiotis Kalfountzos

Managing Director, Thessaly Agricultural Cooperative ThesGi
Effects on agricultural production

photoMr. Eleftherios Saitis

President, Intercomm Foods SA
Effects on local economy and processing facilities

photoMs. Ioanna Karra

Breeder & Owner, Stalos Farm
Effects on livestock

Moderator

photoMs. Sonia Mousavere

Head Communications & Public Affairs, ΒΑΥΕR HELLAS
10.15-10.30

Break

photoDr. Eleftherios Evangelou

Agronomist-Soil Scientist-Researcher, HAO Demeter
Soil findings report for Thessaly, post "Daniel" storm
10.30-11.15

Roundtable-2: The immediate measures for Thessaly

The requirement for healing, normalization and avoiding new risks and challenges in Thessaly

photoDr. Nikolaos Danalatos

Dean, Professor of Agronomy & Crop Ecology, Thessaly University
Soil health, protection and fertility

photoDr. Athanasios Loukas

Professor of Hydrology & Water Resources, Aristotle University
Water management-infrastructure, agrifood production security

photoMr. George Pontikas

President HCPA, President & CEO Syngenta Hellas
Crop production and farmers support

Moderator

photoMr. Menelaos Gardikiotis

President, Geotechnical Chamber of Greece
11.15-11.30

Break

11.30-12.45

Roundtable-3: Thessaly's day after

The restructuring model and strategy for the revitalization of Thessaly

photoDr. Lois Labrianidis

Professor Ret., Economics Geographer, University of Macedonia
What a "Medium-Long-Term Development Plan for Thessaly" should consider?

photoDr. Christos Triantopoulos

Dpt. Minister Climate Crisis & Civil Protection

photoMr. Panagiotis Chatzinikolaou

Managing Director, ELGO-Demeter
Crops' restructuring, based on markets' demand and yield management

Moderator

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum, President Geo Routes Institute
12.45-13.00

Remarks and conclusion

photoMr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair AgriBusiness Forum, President Geo Routes Institute

photoMr. George Pontikas

President & CEO, Syngenta Hellas

In Cooperation

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Sponsors

Contributors

Auspices - In Collaboration

Organizer