Clear message The Minister of Rural Development and Food, Costas Tsiaras, from the step of the Annual Ordinary General Assembly of ETHEA, sent a need for further support and institutional shielding of the cooperative movement.

Mr Tsiaras described ETHEAS as a “institutional interlocutor and truly important national body” that can contribute to a new culture in the agricultural and livestock world. He stressed that “if we want the primary sector of our country to create the prospect of added value that we all claim for our own products, then we must enhance cooperation.”

Looking back on the pathogens of the past, Kostas Tsiaras said that “if one attempts to see from the postwar period and after the historical route, he will lead to specific findings: a period of great prosperity ended that was not accompanied by the expected result, mainly because of the cooperatives. It was a period of depreciation that in no way helped, not only the very presence of the cooperative movement, but mainly the Greek farmers. “

But he noted, however, that there has been a real reboot: “If we want to approach the issue in its true dimension, we should also recognize the real reason: the Greek primary sector based on existing characteristics can become more competitive through cooperative. It is only through large groups the possibility of more investments, better price claims and a more general presence, inside and outside the borders. “

Institutional interventions and tax incentives

The minister referred to the government’s targeted interventions to strengthen cooperative schemes:

  • 50% discount on income tax for farmers participating in cooperatives, producer groups or contract agriculture
  • Possibility of agricultural cooperatives that do not work to be absorbed by agricultural cooperatives that operate on their request to exploit their property.
  • Greater freedom in the statutes to determine the terms and conditions of administration of agricultural cooperatives.
  • Simplifying procedures, in motivation, in institutional shielding.

Kostas Tsiaras emphasized that the state has “created the framework and gives prospects”, giving the cooperation the impetus it needs.

Setup for Red Loans: Real Breath for 21,000 Farmers

The minister’s reference to the new regulatory framework for red loans in the agricultural sector was extensive. As he underlined, the government is proceeding for the first time “with plan and determination” in solving a chronic problem that has “inactivated productive property”:

The new framework provides:

  • Brave deletion of debts through compromise.
  • Sustainable settlements based on the real potential of farmers.
  • Transparency, under the supervision of the Bank of Greece and specialized managers.

The arrangement concerns over 700 agricultural cooperatives and 21,000 farmers and, as Mr Tsiaras noted, “is not just a technical measure. It’s a real breath for the rural world. A choice of justice and perspective. “

Investments, CAP and Transformation

The minister highlighted the opportunities opened through greenhouse crops, which he described as “gloriously glory” for the cooperative movement: “I won’t tell you much about the 600 million invested, but greenhouse cultivation may be instantly added.”

At the same time, he said, the focus of politics remains the utilization of all financial tools, and especially the resources of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

At the same time, the minister stressed that the challenges – from the climate crisis to the international context – are required to see the productive model again to strengthen his resilience.

“It is a difficult time for the primary sector, because there are pathogens that come from the past, because the climate crisis has created consequences that we are called upon to solve.”

In closing, he called on all farmers and cooperative producers: “The farmer, the farmer must become a small businessman, participating in a larger cooperative figure that gives other possibilities. We are obliged by each of us to take the initiatives concerning the present and the future of the primary sector. “