Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the midday nursery in Kapandriti, where he had the opportunity to talk with farmers about the government’s initiative to support greenhouse crops with a budget program of 150 million euros, as well as about the other measures taken to reduce costs production and support of the primary sector.

“I personally believe very much in the potential we have to improve the productivity of the primary sector and the truth is that when they presented the comparative data on the productivity of greenhouse crops in relation to normal crops, I too was speechless. So I asked the Ministry to immediately launch a targeted action, which aims at the construction of new greenhouses, but also the reconstruction of old ones”, said the Prime Minister.

“But the issue is to understand what the specifications should be, that is, what we are going to build is really something that will meet the requirements of the conditions, which will change. We have also had a discussion with Piraeus Bank, which is also willing to add significant loan resources to this effort. Our goal is to significantly increase the acres cultivated in greenhouses and other indoor crops,” he added.

The aim of the program is to modernize horticultural cultivation, both to strengthen the primary sector and to mitigate the consequences of climate change. With the transition to greenhouse production, the efficiency of resources such as water and fertilizers is drastically increased, the growing season is extended and the fruits are more protected, in a controlled environment. Eligible costs for the beneficiaries will include, among others, the construction, expansion and modernization of canopies for greenhouses, the purchase of land and constructions for supporting infrastructure, such as warehouses, but also mechanical equipment, such as hydroponic systems and heating-cooling systems.

During the discussion, problems and challenges facing the agricultural world were examined, such as the lack of workers, the cost of energy and fertilizers, but also the assurance of water resources for irrigation.

Speaking about the shortages in the labor force, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of interstate agreements for the seasonal attraction of workers.

“We see this problem everywhere, we don’t just see it here. We already have an agreement with Egypt and we are finalizing another one with India. We want to be able to have countries with which we have good geopolitical relations and with which we have tested the workers, who come and as a rule are people who can and relatively easily integrate into the professional and social life of the country, so that we can solve the this is a problem, because we will not easily find Greek hands for these jobs”, said Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“So the issue for us is to close the deals quickly and then employers can go and find the workers they want in a more organized way,” he added.

Regarding the cost of electricity, it was noted that “GAIA” tariffs ensure electricity supply at reduced prices for rural connections for 2+8 years, allowing producers to better plan their operating costs and investments.

“We took electric space, I explain it very simply, to be able to give our farmers a price that is predictable, mainly. This is what I care about, you know that your budget for the next two years will be this and then you will have a pretty good picture”, said the Prime Minister.

“What are you protecting yourself from this? From the seasonality of the current. Climbing is the worst if you want to do your planning. Now you know, your price for the next two years is this. In the medium and long term, prices will fall”, continued Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

There was also an exchange of views on measures that could further facilitate the agricultural sector, such as the transition to a lower VAT rate of certain fertilizers, in addition to those already subject to the super-reduced VAT rate of 6%.

The importance of small but effective irrigation projects, which could be implemented in consultation with the Local Government, was also highlighted. “We have failed overall as a country for decades to manage water properly. It is a very difficult issue. 85% of the water is irrigation, the rest is irrigation. We are now going to do some work to rationalize the shape of the TWO so that we can at least all see that they have the same performance. And in the irrigation issues, unfortunately we are also captive to many large projects that were done, we paid a lot of money for them and they were never completed, and we did not put enough emphasis on small projects, which, however, must be functional”, noted the Prime Minister.

Afterwards, Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the central square in Kapandriti, where he had the opportunity to talk with residents and shopkeepers. Kyriakos Mitsotakis also visited the Kapandriti Health Center, where renovation and upgrading works are underway. He spoke with employees and was informed about the progress of their implementation.