3RD ANNUAL AGROTECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE

The Agrotechnology Committee of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce successfully organized the 3^rd Annual Agrotechnology Conference: ‘Greek Agriculture 2014-2020; Agricultural Production – Manufacturing – Markets’, on June 20, 2014 at the Perrotis College of the American Farm School.

The event focused on challenges faced by traditional crop farmers (e.g. vegetables, cotton, arboriculture), the manufacturing processes that add maximum value to related primary sector products, and the optimal ways to reach end consumers in domestic and foreign markets, with an emphasis on international market trends. Furthermore the event highlighted the crucial supporting role of financial tools like contractual farming, credit insurance and EU subsidies, as well as the need to keep abreast of technological changes.

The event was addressed by the Minister of Agricultural Development, Mr. Georgios Karasmanis, as a keynote speaker, and was attended by several hundred participants from the primary and secondary sectors, representatives of distribution channels, businesspeople, academics, scientists and students.

SPEECHES

Simos Anastasopoulos, President, American – Hellenic Chamber of Commerce

Dr. Panos Kanellis, President, American Farm School

Antonis Vezyroglou, Owner and Manager, Antonis Vezyroglou & Co.

Demetris Vakamis, Agriculturist

Thomas Kyriakopoulos, Producer

Ioannis Tsinoulis, Agriculturist – Cotton Grower

Nikolaos Karagiorgos, President & managing Director, N. Karagiorgou Bros

Christos Mourtziopoulos, Director Quality Assurance, Barba Stathis SA

Thomas Liolios, CFO, Venus Growers

Maria Drosopoulou, Quality Control Manager, Marinopoulos SA

Iraklis Christodoulakis, Market Manager of Fresh and Frozen Vegetables, AB Vasilopoulos