The great advantages of the development of greenhouse farm farm (TGEE), with an emphasis on hydroponic crops, to strengthen domestic agricultural production and increase productivity, highlights the new study of the Economic and Industrial Research Foundation (IOBE) with the title of “The Greenhouse) Greece. “

The study was prepared with the support of the Regional Development Fund for Central Greece, Piraeus Bank and Intelligent Green Crops SA

The study was presented today, Thursday, June 19, 2025, by George Maniatis, IOBE Sector Research Officer at a special event with keynote speaker by the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Costas Tsiaras.

In his post, Mr. Tsiaras noted, among other things: “Today’s presentation of the IOBE study on greenhouse farming is a milestone in the design of our agricultural policy. I would like to thank Professor Nikos Veta and his team for their essential contribution. The findings of the study confirm that greenhouse cultivation, and especially hydroponics, can provide multiple production, with fewer resources and higher quality. The government is strategically investing in this sector, through the National Greenhouse Development Program of 600m euros, implemented on June 23. Our goal is not to enhance fragmentary actions, but to create a new, dynamic pillar for Greek agriculture – with technology, extroversion and sustainability. The Greek agriculture of 2030 will not suffice in subsidies. It will create value, bring income and keep young people in their place. With plan, documentation and cooperation, we build the future of Greek production. The future is greenhouse – and it is ours. “

What did IOBE’s study show

According to the IOBE study, traditional outdoor agriculture faces significant challenges that concern, among other things, the extremes associated with climate change, such as heavy rainfall and high temperatures for prolonged periods of time, phenomena that endanger much of agricultural production.

In this demanding environment, greenhouse agriculture can help shield agricultural production over extreme phenomena but also to the drastic improvement of productivity by using new technologies and methods.

It is characteristic that hydroponics, although covering only 2% of greenhouse areas, already contributes to 8% of domestic horticulture production, with strong expansion prospects.

The study records large differences in productivity by unit of cultivated horticulture in Europe. Indicatively, it is reported that in lettuce the average yield in greenhouse crops in Poland is 4.9 times higher than the corresponding in our country, in tomato 4.3 times greater production in Poland, while in cucumber 8.8 times higher production in the Netherlands.

With the aim of exploiting the new production methods, the government has drafted a national program for the development of greenhouse cultivations of € 600 million.

The program aims to increase agricultural production, saving energy and water, create new jobs and environmental protection.

According to the IOBE study, the main advantages of hydroponics are:

• Increased productivity

• Environmental viability: Water saving (up to 90%), drastic reduction

• Crop protection from extreme weather conditions and diseases

• Flexibility: Possibility of production in urban and non -productive areas, and out -of -season cultivation

However, significant challenges are also identified:

• High cost of initial investment for equipment and infrastructure

• High energy needs for heating, cooling, lighting and automation

• Need to specialized know -how and human resources

• Difficulty for small producers with low financial capacity

The IOBE study shows a number of critical findings concerning both the present situation and the prospects of the sector:

• The horticulture sector is an important pillar of domestic agricultural production, with high added value and a strong connection to nutritional self -sufficiency and exports.

• Outdoor horticulture production follows a declining course, confirmed by the reduction of land and production over the last decade, intensifying the need to turn to more efficient and durable production systems.

• The productivity of Greek greenhouses is significantly short of that of high -tech greenhouses operating in other EU countries, mainly due to the limited utilization of technological solutions and modern cultivation practices.

• External horticulture trade is lagging behind, as exports remain relatively low and imports are increasing.

• There is a significant room for improved greenhouse agriculture in Greece, through the modernization of infrastructure, technological upgrading and the adoption of optimal production practices.

• The National Greenhouse Modernization and Development Program will have a catalytic role, providing targeted funding and institutional support for investments that can transform the sector.

The study also estimated that the overall contribution of greenhouse farm to GDP and the employment of the Greek economy, in a 5,000 -acre of high -tech hydroponic greenhouses (out of about 1,350 acres) can reach EUR 395 million per year, and would be able to reach EUR 395 million per year, while and in rural areas, as was indicative of the Regions of Central Greece and Eastern Macedonia & Thrace.

The IOBE study results in a series of policy proposals aimed at faster integration of new methods of production in the agricultural sector.

-UNEMA Development Design: In addition to the existing planning to modernize greenhouse with special education and human resources training and providing adequate economic incentives to create a critical mass of IGEE units that will reduce its initial costs.

-Funding: Utilizing resources through the Development Law on grants above 500 thousand euros, with compliance with state aid rules, coupled with the mobilization of private and loan capital.

-Energy: Ensuring the priority of connecting the RES units of greenhouses to the electricity grid with the aim of self -consumption of electricity produced by offsetting contracts. Utilizing the country’s geothermal fields for the development of modern greenhouses with lower energy costs.

-Human potential: Strengthening the interconnections of the agricultural schools with the UNHCR businesses for the development of human resources and the introduction of innovations, while enhancing research.