Working with Communities. Social Enterprises in Rural Regions of Europe

Summary

A Greek farmer shares his journey of growing aromatic herbs and innovative crops like Stevia and Goji berries, highlighting the challenges of disease, birds, and lack of technical knowledge. Despite setbacks, including significant production losses, the farmer emphasizes the importance of community collaboration, love, and determination in overcoming these obstacles. The shift from traditional crops like tobacco to Stevia reflects a broader theme of rural innovation driven by collective will rather than financial capital, underlining the strength of unity and selflessness in achieving success in farming.

Takeaways

• 😀 The farm has been cultivating aromatic herbs for about 5 years, with early years marked by significant challenges due to the gap between theory and practice.
• 😀 Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is one of the main crops grown, valued for its medicinal and culinary uses.
• 😀 Goji berries are another major crop, rich in antioxidants, and are sold either fresh or dehydrated.
• 😀 The Goji berry production has faced difficulties, including disease and bird damage, leading to an 80% loss in this year's harvest.
• 😀 Typically, a healthy two-year-old Goji plant should produce 2 kilograms of berries, but this year's yield has been far lower due to various issues.
• 😀 The farmer plans to install protective nets next year to reduce bird-related damage to the Goji berries.
• 😀 Traditional crops like grains, veterinary plants, and tobacco were previously cultivated, but they were financially unprofitable.
• 😀 The decision to switch to Stevia farming was influenced by its potential in Greece, despite a lack of technological knowledge in its cultivation.
• 😀 Experience in tobacco farming provided essential skills in managing crop production, seed production, and maintaining plant health.
• 😀 Community collaboration is central to innovation in rural farming. The farmers rely on shared willpower and determination rather than financial capital.
• 😀 Every morning, the local farming community meets to discuss and support each other, embodying the values of love, fairness, and selflessness that drive their collective efforts.

Q & A

What challenges did the farm face during the initial years of growing aromatic herbs?

The initial years were complicated and difficult due to the difference between theory and practice in farming. The farmers had to deal with learning the practical aspects of herb cultivation.

What are the main uses of peppermint (Mentha piperita)?

Peppermint is mainly used for medicinal purposes and as a food product.

What are the key benefits of Goji berries, and how are they sold?

Goji berries are rich in antioxidants and are highly sought after in the market. They are sold either fresh or dehydrated.

What issues did the farm face with Goji berry production in the second year?

The Goji berry plants faced a disease, and birds caused significant damage to the crops by poking the green berries, causing them to dry up. As a result, the farm lost around 80% of its production this year.

What steps are being considered to address the bird problem with Goji berries?

The farm plans to install nets next year to protect the berries from birds.

What traditional crops were grown at the farm before switching to Stevia cultivation?

Before Stevia, the farm cultivated traditional crops such as grains, veterinary food plants, and tobacco.

Why did the farm decide to shift to Stevia cultivation?

The farm switched to Stevia cultivation because traditional crops were financially unviable, and Stevia was an innovative option that could be grown in Greece.

What prior experience helped the farm transition to Stevia cultivation?

The farm’s experience with tobacco cultivation provided the basic knowledge needed for growing similar plants, including seed production, maintaining proper conditions, and ensuring plant health.

How does the farming community in Greece support each other in terms of innovation?

In Greece, farmers in rural areas support each other through local gatherings, where they discuss issues over coffee or ouzo. They collaborate informally, as financial capabilities for innovation are limited in these areas.

What is the key to fostering innovation in rural farming communities, according to the speaker?

The key to fostering innovation in rural farming communities is unity among people, driven by love, conviction, willpower, selflessness, and fairness.