ATT19 Participant Profiles

Participants Profiles

Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations

FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. To contributing to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, FAO is working on 5 key priorities:

1) Help eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition – 2) Make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable – 3) Reduce rural poverty – 4) Enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems – 5) Increase the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises

Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands

As the world rapidly urbanizes, there is an increasing pressure on rural areas to supply sustainable and healthy food. Food security is crucial and can boost economic performance and social wellbeing. This requires production methods that take into account issues like animal welfare, food safety, waste disposal and habitation. It also requires that governance and education are in order to create a fair society. The Netherlands has sustainable answers to these challenges.

Moreover, the Netherlands is the world’s second-largest exporter of agrifood products. For decades, Dutch agriculture stayed ahead of its competitors thanks to continuous improvements in its agricultural production chains. Greece is of interest to the Netherlands because of Greece’s growing agrifood sector. For decades the Netherlands Embassy in Greece has been investing resources in sharing best practices through bilateral relations at government, academic and business level. More specific, the Embassy has facilitated regularly meetings by Dutch agri-experts from Wageningen University Research to foster dialogue and education among others in the so-called Agrifood Masterclasses for young-in-mind entrepreneurs. Our latest sector study on the potential of greenhouses in Greece contributes to the increase of primary production. The Netherlands wants to team up with European partners like Greece. Therefore, exchanging best practices between the Netherlands and Greece, especially in the agrifood sector at a family business level, is of mutual benefit.

Piraeus Bank

Piraeus Bank leads a Group of companies, covering all the operations and activities of the financial sector in Greece, providing a wide range of products and services to 5.2 mn customers.

Piraeus Bank ranks 1st in business financing with a market share of 33% and balance of €33 bn. Moreover, Piraeus Bank has a significant presence in Agricultural Banking by developing actions and taking initiatives that support and modernize the agri-food sector. With innovative products and services, the Bank offers specialized solutions for the integrated service of farmers, agricultural enterprises and cooperatives, such as the Contract Farming, and supports the value chain of agricultural production, processing, trading and exports.

INTERAMERICAN: 50 years of leadership

In early 2019, INTERAMERICAN celebrated 50 years of leading, creative presence in the Greek insurance market. The Company’s mission is to help people live safer, longer, better lives. INTERAMERICAN is active in every insurance sector – Life, Health, Non-Life and Assistance – offering products and services that stand out for their innovative character.

INTERAMERICAN’s robust financial figures record steadily recurrent profitability, which totaled €22 million before taxes in 2018, and a high solvency ratio over and above requirements. Currently, the company serves over 1 million customers, both private citizens and enterprises.

INTERAMERICAN was the company that introduced direct insurance in Greece with “Anytime”, changing the market landscape. In the Health sector, INTERAMERICAN has expanded the concept of insurance with “bewell”, a new, pioneering health system that offers absolutely tailor-made insurance options and health services. It is the only insurance company in Greece with privately-owned, state-of-the-art infrastructure for Health services (ATHINAIKI MEDICLINIC, MEDIFIRST Multi-clinics) and Assistance (Road Assistance vehicles, ambulances, etc.).

With a customer-driven vision as its absolute priority, INTERAMERICAN paid out over €3 billion euros in claims and payments during the last decade. The company’s payouts in 2018 reached €237.3 million for 418,056 cases, while it responded to 479,856 incidents with its Emergency Medical and Road Assistance services.

INTERAMERICAN is part of the ACHMEA Group, a top European cooperative group with 208 years of experience and a leader in the provision of Health insurance services in Europe.

Hellenic National Interbranch Meat Organization (EDOK)

The Hellenic National Interbranch Meat Organization (EDOK) established in 2017, being the first of its kind in Greece. EDOK is formed by professional branches covering the production, processing and distribution of quality products in the framework of meat.

EDOK is the voice of Greeces’ meat sector, recognized by the Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food, and is present to the biggest European organizations such as the French Interbranch Meat Association (INTERBEV) and the European Livestock and Meat Trade Union (UECBV).

Serres Chamber of Commerce

Serres Chamber of Commerce is supporting entrepreneurship and protecting the interests of local businesses being members to the organization. Serres Chamber mediates between businesses and the state authorities about promoting business interests and consulting for right policies.

It also brings forward the problems of various business sectors and takes care for an efficient resolvement.

Kyathos Winery

Kyathos winery is located in the historical village of Emmanouil Papas of the Prefecture of Serres in northern Greece. The activity of the winery begins in 2006 in small facilities. Since 2009, it has been transferred to privately owned 1500 square meters of land on an area of ​​4 acres. The name of the winery comes from the name of an ancient wooden pot, the cup which was a large ladle, and served as a pot of pumping wine from the jars. The winery is equipped with the most sophisticated means of winemaking such as a drill, pneumatic press, stainless fermentation and stabilization tanks with a controlled cooling system, oak barrels for the aging of red wines. It also has an automatic bottling and tagging system. The grapes come from 200 acres of vineyards and the white, red and rosé wine in bottles of 0,750, 0,375 and 0,187lit as well as in 5 and 10lit bags are found throughout Greece and are exported to Germany and China.

IFCO Systems

IFCO’s vision is to achieve and maintain global market leadership and profitability in all of our businesses without sacrificing or compromising our moral responsibility toward all the people with whom we deal and to the ecological system from which we draw our resources.

Our RPC solutions are state-of-the-art and are designed to provide optimal environmental protection. IFCO’s mission is to take into account social and environmental considerations in the process of constantly improving our solutions so that they provide the most cost-efficient and environmentally friendly ways to support our clients.

Ismaros Dairy Products (I. Doukidis & Sons Co.)

The Doukidis Family tradition in cheese-making stretches back to 1956.The recipe for high quality dairy products, which are unique in taste, remains unchanged since then respecting the traditions and values inherited.

Certified in our state-of-the-art laboratories, our pure products are made exclusively from pasteurized Greek milk, sourced from free-range herds that graze the foot of historic Mount Ismarus and Rhodopes sierra. Sourcing milk from local farmers, allows “I. Doukidis & Sons” to ensure its value propositions, support the regional milk-producing community and continue the ancient livestock tradition of Thrace.

Our products have been sold for decades in the biggest supermarket chains in Greece and exported in countries such as France, Germany and others. Quality and hygiene are factors, that have established  “I.  Doukidis & Sons” as leaders in the Greek dairy market. We are continuously striving for the best result possible in the production sectors we are involved with (dairy and cattle feeds) and comply with international and European food regulations and standards.

TOEB TAVROPOS KARDITSAS

The TOEB TAVROPOS KARDITSAS is a local organization for land reclamation, which is a legal entity under private law. Control and supervision of the Tavropou TOEB has the Ministry of Rural Development and Food. The Agency aims at improving land farms, which are located within the area of jurisdiction. The Agency’s jurisdiction includes the Tavropos irrigation project, serving with surface irrigation and free demand 12,000 ha, in a 16,000 ha-perimeter area around the city of Karditsa. The irrigation areas located in the jurisdiction of TOEB Tavropou irrigated exclusively by the lake of Plastira. The network is a network of gravity, one of the largest in the Europe and consists of open concrete canals of 887 km to bring, transport and distribute of irrigation water to the agricultural fields. The water supply is done by the hydro power plant Plastiras (130MW) and the regulation of providers of the reservoir of 600,000m³, which is located at an elevation of +188.10m. The project was launched in stages since 1965 and was completed in 1973. The TOEB TAVROPOS is also responsible for the drainage of the excess water and for the machinery transportation and accessibility to the agricultural fields. For these reasons the TOEB TAVROPOS network also consists of a network of drainage ditches with total length of 824km and a road network (alongside the irrigation and drainage network) of 851km.

Appropriate number of personnel, tractors and machinery are used for the maintenance of the irrigation, drainage ditches and road networks. The governance of the TOEB TAVROPOS is doing from 7 members council elected from a general committee of 85 representative members elected every 4 years in the 17 local communities. President of the TOEB TAVROPOS is Mr Markinos Athanasios.

ILIOZYMO Frozen Dough Products

Company was founded by Konstantinos Zygogiannis in 2004 as a transformation of an older family-owned cheese dairy company (1991) specialized in the production of feta cheese and gruyere from the mountainous Agraph plateau. Since 2010 Iliozymo is been located and operating in modern facilities on the outskirts of the city of Karditsa. It is active in the production and marketing of frozen dough products (traditional pies, puddings, croissants, donuts, pizza etc) which the raw materials are of Dutch Gouda cheese, feta cheese, sausages, spinach IQF, flour and margarine. The company supplies bakeries, canteens, catering stores and public organizations.

Iliozymo employs 10 permanent staff and has a turnover of 1 mio. Euros per annum, while its’ current distribution network includes the 5 regional units of Thessaly (est. 800 thousands inhabitants) and the 5 regional units of the wider area of Sterea Hellas (est. 600 thousands inhabitants). In its strategy is the expansion of the distribution network all-over Greece and in specific markets abroad.

Markinos’ Farm

The agricultural family facility Markinos’ Farm is in Thessaly-Greece, located at Myrina in Karditsa Municipality. In an area of 170 hectares are cultivated mainly cotton and corn and in a smaller scale grains, alfalfa and legumes such as beans for feeding animals. Markinos’ farm key advantage is the high degree of mechanization and automation and the extensive level of adoption Precision Agriculture methods. First ever in Greece in 2001, Markinos’ farm applied Precision Agriculture (yield mapping) in a cotton field with the support of the Laboratory of Agricultural Mechanization of the University of Thessaly.

Its constant focus on the agrotechnology, brought the farm featuring among the 4 European Union’s pilot farms of the “FutureFarm” framework program. Farm is under the leadership of Mr. Markinos Athanasios, Municipality of Karditsa City Councillor and President of “TOEB TAVROPOS” (Organization of Land Irrigation).

Directorate of Rural Economy and Veterinary, Regional Unit of Serres

The Agricultural and Veterinary Directorate of Serres primary role is the development and quality improvement of the sectors of plant, livestock and fishery production, by taking all necessary measures for the modernization and restructuring of the farms, the sustainable development, the protection of public health and farmers information through implementing National and E.C. policies.

 

Daskalopoulos Bio Juices

Our company is about producing juices made of organically cultivated pomegranates, prickly pears, aronia and sea-buckthorn berries. We are investing in cutting edge technology and operate under contemporary business principles, in order to bring the best possible product to the market.

Pomegranate is a high quality product, full of antioxidants and beneficial fibers. In addition prickly pears, aronia and sea-buckthorn berries provide mix of nutrients not easily found in other food sources.

 

 

Akeso – Spartan Agroland

The power of nature shapes the biological and psychological state of man and directly affects his health. This force we are trying to gather and offer in order to improve the lives of modern people. Akeso was created in 2011 in Sparta, Laconia. Akeso was one of Asclepius’ daughters and goddess of healing. Its name comes from the verb “akeome” which means heal. It was our love for the land, our belief in the creation of safer products based on Hippocratic ideas and the power of nature that propelled us to found the company.

In our effort to remove from our daily lives any chemicals harmful to our skin, we began the production of our first soap bar from our own Laconia olive oil, initially without fragrance in small batches. The beginning was already done. The sequel is difficult and demanding but also very creative. The feedback from our partners was positive and very encouraging so we decided to expand our products and incorporate a new line of facial care. The response, in the beginning, was limited, but with great effort, love and meraki, we built a trusting relationship with people interested in our products, and today we produce 6,000 soaps a day at our certified facilities.

We are fortunate and blessed to live in this place. Starring our own Laconic organic extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, propolis from our own bees, and the aromatic herbs of the Greek flora we collect from our herbal garden, we have created products that offer a carefree experience.  Our vision is to reconstitute traditional soap and its benefits in daily care as well as redefine its relationship with natural cosmetics.

Geo Routes Institute

The nonprofit & nongovernmental organization Geo Routes Institute is the official organizer of the Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum, the AgriBusiness Forum, AgriFood Traction Tours and Geo Routes/Aegean Routes Cultural Heritage Journeys in Greece, held under the auspices of the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO. Geo Routes initiatives fostering advancing partnerships, knowledge, cooperation and economic relations for the benefit of the society, the culture and the environment.

ATT19 Booking Terms & Conditions

Booking Terms & Conditions

General Terms & Conditions

 

Please ensure that you read carefully and understand these Terms & Conditions prior to booking:

The purchase of any travel services offered by GEO ROUTES CULTURAL INSTITUTE (hereinafter Geo Routes) constitutes a contractual arrangement between you and Geo Routes and represents your acceptance of these Terms & Conditions set out herein.

 

1) Deposit & Final Payment:

A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of 50% per person is required by Geo Routes to reserve space for you. Your booking is not confirmed and payment is not deemed up until the deposit is received by Geo Routes and you receive a confirmation notice. Your reservation will be automatically canceled if deposit is not paid to Geo Routes by the due date. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions. Final payment for your trip is due as stated to the “Booking & Cancellation Policy” provided online to the designated page. If final payment is not received by the due date, your reservation will be canceled and your full deposit will be retained by Geo Routes.

 

2) Booking Cancellations & Cancellation Fees:

Please refer to the “Booking & Cancellation Policy” page setting clear information prior booking this trip.

 

3) Air Arrangements:

Air carriers are independent operators and are not owned, managed or operated by Geo Routes. Thus, your ticket is a contract between you and the air carrier, even if such is purchased through Geo Routes. Geo Routes is not responsible if an airline cancels, reschedules or delays a flight for any reason. No refunds will be provided by Geo Routes for portions of trips missed due to canceled, rescheduled or delayed flights, nor is Geo Routes responsible for any additional expenses you may incur prior to joining your trip if you miss your departure flight or flight connection. If you miss your flight or connection, it is your responsibility to work with the airline on which you are ticketed to reach your destination. If any overnight stay required, the cost of that stay (including but not limited to hotel and meals) is at your expense. If you make your own flight arrangements, Geo Routes will not be responsible for any loss resulting from cancellation or changes in international gateways, itineraries or travel dates.

 

4) Participation:

For the benefit of everyone on your trip, Geo Routes reserves the right to accept or reject any participant and to remove any participant whose conduct is deemed incompatible with the interests of the other participants. Geo Routes will not refund or cover any cost or expenses incurred for termination of trips’ arrangements due to unacceptable behavior.

 

5) Travelers need special assistance:

You must report any disability requiring special attention while on tour to Geo Routes at the time the reservation is made. Geo Routes will make reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of disabled travelers, but is not responsible in the event it is unable to do so, nor responsible for any denial of services by air carriers, hotels, restaurants, or other independent suppliers. Geo Routes cannot provide individual assistance to a trip participant for walking, dining, getting on and off motorcoaches, ships and other vehicles, or other personal needs. Geo Routes strongly recommends a qualified and physically able companion must accompany travelers who need such assistance. All travelers with Geo Routes are subject to the Participation clause above.

 

6) Young Travelers:

Travelers who are under 18 years old on the departure date must be accompanied by an adult throughout the trip and are requested to share accommodation with two adults for becoming able to receive a discount on the base land trip price. To receive the young traveler’s discount, the age of the traveler must qualify at commencement of services. Due to heightened security, many countries have adopted practices to prevent international abductions of children. If a child will be traveling with adults other than the parents or with only one parent, it is recommended that a notarized letter be written by the parents or non-traveling parent granting authorization to travel, including the dates of travel. We suggest that you also contact the appropriate consulate and airlines because they may have additional requirements or recommendations.

 

7) Smoking:

Smoking is not allowed to any means of transports, restaurants, meeting spaces, the hotels etc. As a standard rule, Geo Routes confirms non-smoking hotel rooms.

 

8) Price Policy:

All prices are based on rates known at the time of publication and expected to be in effect at the time of departure. Prices are per person and are subject to increase without notice, subject to the guarantee set forth below. Once Geo Routes has received your full prepayment, you are protected against any price increase. Any subsequent cost increases are at Geo Routes expense, not including any airport or government tax increases.

 

9) Visas & Passports:

You are responsible for obtaining and paying for all visas and entry documents, for meeting all health and other requirements, and for any documents required by the laws, regulations, orders, and/or requirements of the country you will visit. Visa and entry documents must be obtained independently and you must consult with appropriate consulates to determine if any visas are needed; you are responsible for obtaining all visas and entry documents independently. All passengers traveling internationally are required to have a passport. Most countries require that the passport be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the conclusion of your trip. Geo Routes doesn’t accept liability nor any refunds for any passenger refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure of the passenger to carry correct documentation.

 

10) Hotel accommodations:

If a change becomes necessary for any reason, including alternate hotel or hotel location changes within or outside itinerary cities, the hotel substituted will be of equivalent or higher quality, when available, to those shown. Please note that some hotels will only provide double-bedded rooms, that check-in/out times vary and Geo Routes cannot control or guarantee times other than those of the hotel(s). Itinerary timings are approximate and may be subject to change.

 

11) Baggage allowance:

Unless otherwise stated, porterage at hotels, airport/train stations or else is not included.  Due to limited capacity in airplanes and the motorcoach, you may have a single bag not exceeding 23kg and a handbag not exceeding 53x36x23cm.  For air-travel please check carrier’s website or by accessing www.iflybags.com. Please read this information carefully as Geo Routes is not responsible for additional fees imposed by air carriers for overweight as you will be required to pay these fees directly to the airline at check-in. No responsibility is accepted by Geo Routes for loss of or damage to baggage or any of the traveler’s belongings throughout the duration of the trip. Baggage insurance is recommended.

 

12) Gratuities:

Gratuities for your Tour Director, Local Hosts, Local Guides, Tour Driver etc. are not included in the price and are discretionary.

 

13) Not included in your trips’ prices:

Airport or port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Geo Routes menu as presented to the detailed itinerary; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; porterage at hotels, airports and train stations; travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature.

 

14) Refunds:

Please note that any request for refunds is subject to these Terms & Conditions. No refund will be made for unused services, for unused transportation where group activities are involved or for voluntary modifications made by the traveler.

 

15) Service inquiries after the trip:

As it is difficult and sometimes impossible to properly investigate a complaint if Geo Routes is not advised of such complaint quickly, any compensation you may have been able to claim could be reduced or even forfeited if you do not follow the complaints procedure set out in this clause. Any complaint or claim involving the trip services offered, involving the negligence of any suppliers, sub-contractors, or agents in relation to any service provided to the trip participant, must be notified to Geo Routes while enroute or within 10 days of the trip completion, except where such time limitations are prohibited by law.

 

16) Holidays:

During local or national holidays or special events, peek seasons, on Sundays, and during religious occasions, certain facilities may be limited or unavailable. Alternatives will be offered whenever possible. Geo Routes cannot be held responsible for any closures, necessary itinerary changes or curtails for any reason.

 

17) Safety:

Please be aware that during your participation in the trip, certain risks and dangers may arise beyond Geo Routes control, including but not limited to: the hazards of traveling in undeveloped areas; travel by boat, train, automobile, aircraft, or other means of transportation; forces of nature; political unrest; acts of lawlessness or terrorism; and accident or illness in remote regions without means of rapid evacuation or medical facilities. Geo Routes is not responsible and has not liability for such risks and dangers that may arise beyond its control. Payment of your deposit indicates you accept these risks and dangers and agree to hold Geo Routes harmless for such.

 

18) Photographs or Pictures:

Photographs or pictures appearing on this web site should be used solely as an indication of facilities and attractions. Actual facilities may vary according to itinerary, and maps shown may not reflect the actual routing should the itinerary change.

 

19) Responsibility:

GEO ROUTES CULTURAL INSTITUTE, located at 39 Aristotelous str. 10433 Athens, Greece, is an independent company (“the Company”) licensed to market and distribute travel products under the Geo Routes or Aegean Routes brand name, and provides arrangement including transportation, tours and accommodations through independent contracts. The international carriage of passengers is subject to international conventions and treaties, where applicable. These international agreements limit and, in some events, exclude Geo Routes liability to passengers. Where any claim or part of a claim (including those involving death or personal injury) concerns or involves any travel arrangements (including the process of getting on or off the transport concerned) provided by any air, sea, inland waterways, rail, or road carrier or any stay in a hotel, Geo Routes maximum liability is the maximum which would be payable by the carrier or the hotel keeper concerned under the applicable international convention, treaty, or regulation applicable to the travel arrangements or hotel stay (e.g., the Warsaw Convention, the Montréal Convention for international travel by air, the EU Regulation on Air Carrier Liability for air carriers with an operating license granted by an EU country, the Athens Convention for international travel by sea) in that situation. After departure, if the services included in the trip cannot be supplied or there are changes in the itinerary for reasons beyond Geo Routes control, depending on the circumstance, Geo Routes will take reasonable action to arrange for the provision of comparable services. Any resulting additional expense will be the responsibility of the trip participants, and any resulting savings will be refunded by Geo Routes to the participants. Geo Routes reserves the right to accept or reject any person as a participant; to expel any participant from the trip; to make changes in the itinerary whenever the Geo Routes deems it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of the participants; and to cancel a trip at any time. The participant agrees that Geo Routes is not liable for any damage, loss (including personal injury, death, and property loss), or expense occasioned by any act or omission of any supplier providing services, or any other person.

 

20) Jurisdiction:

Any dispute between the participant and Geo Routes directly or indirectly, the prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Any action to enforce the arbitrator’s decision shall be brought in the state or courts of Athens – Greece. Neither Geo Routes nor any affiliate shall in any case be liable for other than compensatory damages, and you hereby waive any right to punitive damages. No person, other than an authorized representative of Geo Routes by a document in writing, is authorized to vary, add, or waive any term or condition on this Web site, including any term or condition set forth in the preceding provisions.

ATT19 Visiting Profiles

Field Visit Profiles

Logo noord brabant

Noord-Brabant is a province of the Netherlands, located in the south of the country and represents the administrative layer between the national government and the local municipalities. The provincial administration takes initiatives on an economic, social and cultural level and coordinates actions, primarily on Spatial development, Accessibility and mobility for the region, Regional economic policy and Cultural and regional identity

LOGO ZLTO

ZLTO represents the interests of around 15,000 farmers and growers in the South-Netherlands being members to the association, aimed at producing healthy food innovatively and sustainably. ZLTO participates and invests in strategic activities and innovation within the food and agriculture sector that are of added value for the (future) market position of its members. ZLTO supports green entrepreneurs in their daily operational business, is a connection between farmers and consumers also a connection to other sectors and organizations for creating new opportunities for sustainable economic growth and social welfare.

logo Friesland-campina

FrieslandCampina is world’s leading dairy companies, employing 23.769 people in 34 countries branch offices, exporting products to more than 100 countries and has annual revenue of 11, 6 billion euros. Company is fully owned by one of the world’s largest dairy cooperatives, Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A., with 18.261 member dairy farmers in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. FrieslandCampina’s activities are divided into 4 market-oriented business groups: FrieslandCampina Consumer Dairy, FrieslandCampina Specialised Nutrition, FrieslandCampina Dairy Essentials and FrieslandCampina Ingredients.

logo rabobank2

Rabobank is an international financial services provider operating on cooperative basis with nearly 2 million members, being one of the largest cooperatives in the Netherlands. Its cooperative identity stems back to 19th century when a group of farmers founded the first agricultural cooperative banks. Its strong agricultural roots mean that its unparalleled knowledge in the food and agri industry. Measured by Tier 1 capital, Rabobank Group is one of the world’s largest financial institutions offering retail banking, wholesale banking, private banking, leasing and real estate services, serving approximately 8.3 million clients around the world. Rabobank is committed to making a substantial contribution to welfare and prosperity in the Netherlands and to feeding the world sustainably.

LOGO has university

HAS is the leading higher education and expertise Centre in the Southern Netherlands in the field of agribusiness, food and environment; ranked as the 2nd best medium-sized University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. HAS employs 450 people and serves 3,000 students and 300 participants on professional courses. HAS incorporates studies while working actively with local businesses; focuses on entrepreneurial study involving substantial cross-fertilization with day-to-day business practice; channels cross-fertilization professionally through HAS Knowledge Transfer and Training.

LOGO LIB

LIB is Brabant’s Agricultural Innovation Agency, powered by ZLTO (Southern Agriculture and Horticulture Organization of the Netherlands) and the Regional Authority of Noord-Brabant. For more than 20 years LIB stimulates innovation on the farm level, co-financing projects, establishing networks for agricultural innovators, organizing networking events, bringing together farmers – scientists – food processing companies and instrumenting matters for sustainable economic development of Noord Brabant region. Each year LIB approves co-financing about 40 projects and coordinates for resulting positive impact to the beneficiaries and the local society.

LOGO De Kruidenaer

De Kruidenaer is family business facility which produces almost 30 different species of high-quality fresh herbs. Owner of 20+ ha of soil, cultivations taking place in greenhouses, tunnels and in open ground. In the greenhouses, De Kruidenaer cultivates mint and basil (regular green, red and Thai basil), while in the open ground, chives, dill, rosemary, coriander and parsley. During winter, a large proportion of herbs are imported from selected suppliers abroad.

Logo Natuurlijktomaat

Natuurlijk Tomaat is a family business that effective 2015 started tomatoes’ organic cultivation in greenhouses. Among others it grows high-quality cherry tomatoes, san marzano’s, cocktail, roma and vine tomatoes. Furthermore, from its own production Natuurlijk Tomaat makes sauces for soup and pasta, tomato jam and chutney, also sweet-sour tomato ketchup in collaboration with De Laarhoeve.

Logo Van Der Meijden

Van der Meijden is a family business established on 1989 which over the years set up an SPF company producing top-quality piglets with 1000 sows. Van der Meijden passion for pig farming took him to establish a pig farm training center about providing onsite courses for people involved in the pig industry from all over the world.

logo signify

Signify GrowWise Research Center has been established on 2015, following Philips (now Signify) initiative to develop the perfect blueprint for city farming production on the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven. To a growing area of 8 climate-controlled rooms (234 sq.m) researchers try a variety of crops under different LED-lighting, climate conditions, software controls, sensors and logistics in order to optimize growing conditions for vegetables, fruit and herbs and advancing city farm building blocks.

logo van den borne

Van den Borne is a family business that currently grows 550 ha of potatoes, 50 ha of sugar beet and 300 ha of maize. For becoming leader on potato farming in southern Holland, since 2006 company is investing on experimenting and applying precision farming, flying drones, using satellite data and researching, analyzing and visualizing soil scans and yield data in a cycle of 14 phases. It has also established a Smart Fieldlab to help farmers at making evidence based decisions and reach higher yields with the same assets through data collection, translation and visualization.

Logo De Ruurhoeve

De Ruurhoeve dairy is a family farm has started in 1970 with 80 dairy cows in 30 ha of agricultural land. On 1977 EU agriculture ministers visited the farm; being on 1990 new activities added, such as hi-quality cheese production, an agrifood shop, classes & workshops etc. The cows are mainly black-bred Holstein-Friesian and in recent years were also added red-colored Holstein and Belgian blue cows. Since 2007 De Ruurhoeve uses milking robots and feeding machines about increasing animal welfare and ensuring efficiency, quality and better results.

Logo Van den Berk

Van den Berk Nursery specializes in the cultivation and supply of avenue trees, conifers, shaped trees, rhododendrons, solitary trees and shrubs. Led by the 3rd generation, this family business stretches across 500 ha (380 of which in Holland and 120 in Germany). Its assortment consists of 1600 species and cultivars, which the size ranging from medium (70cm) to extremely large (4m). Van den Berk is one of the largest in Europe with exports to over 35 countries, working closely with landscape architects, greenery managers, contractors, garden designers and horticulturalists, while has been awarded on 2009 as winner for entrepreneurs in horticulture and as ‘Bronze Rose 2009’ in the international ‘Grower of the Year’ competition.

Logo Philips Fruittuin RGB

Philips Fruitgarden has been founded 90 years ago by Anton Philips. Today the family farm cultivates and supplies healthy organic fruits from its 12 ha apple, pear and plum orchard. In the recent years the family has also established a modern pancake house on the site, a farm shop selling apples and pears from the orchard and the Pit, an iconic venue amongst the greenery for social and business gatherings.

logo bavaria beer

Bavaria Brewery is the 2nd oldest family-owned company in Holland that employs around 1000 people, while its beers brewed since 1719 in accordance to a unique 7 generations’ family recipe. What started 300 years ago in this family farm grew into an international business due to the switch from top to bottom-fermenting beer in 1925, the natural mineral water sources, its own malt house, meaning that almost the entire production chain is in-house. Bavaria also managed to acquire leading positions in niche markets being the founder of the completely alcohol-free beer, having invested to La Trappe Trappist monastery beer and more.

ATT19 Photo Library

Photo Library

AgriFood Traction Tour 2019 family photos

AgriFood Traction Tour 2019 - Steering meeting @ ZLTO headquarters

Field visits @ Signify GrowWise Research Center | De Ruurhoeve

Field visits @ Bavaria Brewery | De Kruidenaer

Field visits @ Natuurlijk Tomaat | Philips Fruitgarden

Field visits @ Van den Berk | Van den Borne | Van der Meijden

ATT19 Media Kit

Media Kit

ΑgriFood Traction Tour 2019

Agrifood Traction Tour 2019 – Detailed Program

Agrifood Traction Tour 2019 – Booking Form

In the media

ATT2019 advertisement 25cm X 32cm

An interview with Giannis Balakakis about AgriFood Traction Tour 2019 to the Netherlands (Ypaithros Chora newspaper_GR)

An interview with Giannis Balakakis about AgriFood Traction Tour 2019 to the Netherlands (|Oikonomiki Epitheorisi magazine_GR)

An interview with Giannis Balakakis about AgriFood Traction Tour 2019 to the Netherlands (Politis online_GR)