By Nicolas Bard

At the farthest end of the Prefecture of Drama, near the border with Bulgaria, the neurocopy. Most of us know this village from the NMS Bulletin for the low temperatures that occur during the winter. However, in recent years it has begun to hear about its potatoes. Potato cultivation on the Cold Nevrokopi Plateau began around 1920 and culminated in the 1960s. Until then, most families in the area had tobacco and other, smaller -scale crops. Nowadays, more than more than 35,000 acres of potato by the method of integrated management.

Because half months of the year the area has snow and particularly low temperatures, the double crop is not possible, but the soil is not exhausted. The crop usually begins in April and the potatoes mature shortly after the 15th of August. What makes these potatoes separate is the microclimate conditions prevailing in the area. Specifically, in the summer during the day, mercury climbs to 30 – 35 ° C, while at night it falls to 15 – 20 ° C. This temperature rotation contributes to the economy of the plant, thereby producing more and better quality product, enhancing its dry ingredients, namely starch, vitamins and trace elements. As such, the potatoes of Nevrokopi “inherit” their distinct taste. An important factor is, of course, the territory of the area: sandy and slightly acidic, ideal for this crop.

The Nevrokopi potatoes They are making an international career, as they are exported abroad in addition to distributing them to the largest cities in Greece. In fact, they have been awarded the honorary distinction of protected geographical indication by the competent EU bodies. The varieties are enough: Spuda, Baba, Bellini, Faboula, Angria, Nectar and others. Each farmer chooses which and how many of them will cultivate, while taking care to mature as much as possible in the soil. After the 15th of August the potatoes are ready and only then do they start to take them out, but not all together. They only take out what they need to sell. The rest are waiting for their time, in the warmth of the soil. Thus, their peel grows and their taste is enhanced. Until October, and before the first snow falls, the last potatoes will come out.

His camera where there is Greece traveled to the distant Nevrokopi, met the local producers and recorded everything they had to say about their famous product, but also about the problems they face on a daily basis. The local economy is based on this precious fruit of the earth and there are many difficulties. As they themselves say in recent years there has not been enough rainfall, so production falls 30%, oil is expensive and the state does not sufficiently support them. Everyone is working tirelessly and with love for the precious fruit on shelves all over Greece, but also outside the borders, and think of ways of processing the product (such as crisps), to open jobs and keep young people in the area.