Encouraging are the data emerging from the investigations of two agencies, regarding the continuation of production in the areas affected by the floods in Thessaly. Specifically, the Institute of Industrial and Livestock Plants (IBKF) of ELGO DIMITRA and the Institute of Fisheries Research (IAE) published the first conclusions of their research.

According to the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Lefteris Avgenakis, the first data refutes the risk experts. The investigations are progressing at a fast pace and with full transparency, so that the final conclusions can be used to plan the next steps for the restoration of the lands and Pagasitikos.

According to the IBKF measurements in 281 points out of the 350 he has planned “most fields have received a sediment load which can be incorporated into the soil by tillage (cultivator or deep tillage depending on the height of the sediment). In these cases, from the first results of the analyzes carried out so far, it appears that the sediments present properties that are not expected to significantly affect the soil properties of the soils after incorporation. In the few cases where the height of the sediments is too high and it is not possible to integrate them into the soil with deep tillage, soil restoration measures will be needed and should be considered on a case-by-case basis.’

As the IBKF of ELGO DIMITRA clarifies, with the integration of a larger number of results, as well as the results of heavy metals, more secure conclusions will be drawn for the optimal management of soils affected by sediments.

Of course, the soils that remain flooded are considered certain that their fertility has been affected and it is estimated that their traditional fertilizing tactics should be revised.

As far as his investigations are concerned INALE which continue, so far scientists have been concerned by the fact of the transfer of large amounts of terrestrial sediments into the water column and the bottom, which contain nutrient salts of nitrogen and phosphorus, which, as they estimate, can disturb the ratio of the two elements in favor of phosphorus, which is the main limiting factor.

Therefore, depending on prevailing meteorological and oceanographic conditions, phytoplankton blooms may occur, which have been reported in the bay in the past.

The minister also emphasized that the Ministry of AAT continues to be on the side of farmers and breeders as well as fishermen, recalling that in the coming days the order will be issued to support the approximately 461 coastal fishermen of Magnesia, the Sporades and Larissa, with the aim of covering part of the income they lost.

Detailed conclusions of the investigations, on the website of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.