The Coordinator
ELGO-DIMITRA/IELYA is the Greek research institute that has been dealing with olive cultivation issues for the past 30 years and more. It has developed a multitude of methodologies and rational practices, conducts research for the creation and transfer of knowledge, aiming at the development of the primary sector and the resolution of problems in the agricultural world. The research results are also disseminated to the involved stakeholders through modern educational programs.
The partner IELYA/ELGO will undertake the coordination of the members of the Operational Group (O.G.) and the monitoring of the proper functioning of the project. It will carry out the experimental design and supervision of the agronomic activities related to the Operational Plan (O.P.). It will also undertake the necessary training of the staff involved in the implementation of the actions, as well as the submission of the application and any amendments and payment requests.
Varikou Kiriaki
Entomology researcher
Mrs Dr Κ. Varikou as the main researcher and entomologist, she holds a Master’s and a Ph.D. degree in biological control of crop pests and in the bioecology of citrus thrips, respectively. She has extensive experience in managing crop pests in Crete, particularly in olive tree pests. Her expertise includes conducting bioassays of insecticides, evaluating new active substances, rearing pests and beneficial insects, implementing rational use of plant protection products, and managing risks from new crop pests. She has also conducted studies on wild pollinators and other related subjects. Varikou Kiki has 20 years of research experience in the field of plant protection and integrated pest management. She has also coordinated numerous research projects. You can find some of Varikou’s publications on their ResearchGate profile (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kiki_Varikou) and learn more about their work on the ELGO/IELYA website (https://elgo.iosv.gr/staff-member/varikou-kiriaki/). Her role in the project will be to design the improved and automated means and methods of tackling blight as indicated in the operational plan.
Nikolakakis Antonios
Recent graduate of the School of Agriculture at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Antonis Nikolakakis is a recent graduate of the School of Agriculture at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with a thesis in entomology titled “Selection of a host plant and its impact on the development of Nesidiocoris sp. individuals.” and Macrolophus sp. Since 2019, he has been actively involved in activities at the Entomology Laboratory of IELYA Chania, such as studying the bio-ecology of the olive fruit fly, recording biodiversity in olive groves in Crete, and overall management of insect pests in crops.
Mpirouraki Anastasia
Agronomist of the Technological Educational Institution of Crete
Athanasia Mpirouraki is an agronomist of the Department of Plant Production of the School of Technological Educational Institution of Crete. She has extensive experience in the Integrated Management of olive fruit fly as evidenced by her participation in numerous research projects of the Entomology Laboratory of IELYA, as well as by her scientific publications (>20) . Athanasia Mpirouraki will be employed by IELYA as an external collaborator and will participate in all project activities
The productive partner
The Agricultural Cooperative of Palea Roumata was founded in 1934 by villagers with the common objective of contributing to the local community. Over the years, the contribution to the village has been remarkable. The aim of the cooperative is to upgrade the provision of services and products to the partners and producers, as well as to promote their products. The cooperative has an olive mill equipped with modern machinery, which includes an oil milling area, olive oil tanking and storage areas and an office area.
The cooperative has the olive groves for the pilot implementation of the Operational Plan. It will undertake the activities of olive fruit fly management, i.e. the placement of traps, mass trapping and the execution of the bait spraying in its olive groves, under the guidance and direction of ELGO.
Motakis Georgios
Panagiotakis Georgios
The scientific and technological partner
The Laboratory of Design, Processing, and Automation of the Department of Electronic Engineering at the Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU) has proven experience in issues related to the agri-food sector through the participation of its members in competitive research programs and through publications in recognized international scientific journals and conferences.
HMU will undertake the development of the electronic equipment – electronic traps for monitoring the olive fruit fly population, automatic sprayers – and the information system for the representation of the data of olive fruit fly protection (trapping and bait spraying). It will also be responsible for the maintenance and guarantee of the functioning of the equipment.
Georgios Fouskitakis
Associate Professor at the Department of Electronic Engineering (Chania) of the School of Engineering at the Hellenic Mediterranean University
The Dr Georgios Fouskitakis is an Associate Professor at the Department of Electronic Engineering (Chania) of the School of Engineering at the Hellenic Mediterranean University. He has extensive experience in the design and development of devices and automation systems with a focus on smart agriculture and precision agriculture. He has many years of research activity in the field of automation and mechatronics. He has published a significant number of scientific papers in international journals and conferences and has coordinated numerous research projects. His role in the project will be to coordinate the efforts for the development of automated spraying systems and the corresponding information system, as mentioned in the Operational plan.
Heracles Rigakis
Electronic Engineer with a Master’s degree (MPhil) in the design of innovative electronic devices
Mr. Heracles Rigakis is an Electronic Engineer and holds a Master’s degree (MPhil) in the design of innovative electronic devices. He has extensive experience both in the private sector and through his involvement in a large number of research projects as a principal scientific collaborator. He is a PhD candidate at the Hellenic Mediterranean University. He has experience in the design, development, and programming of mechatronic systems, measurement systems, automatic control devices, and wireless sensor devices. His role in the project will be the development of automatic spraying devices and ensuring the proper functioning of the equipment, as mentioned in the Operational Plan.
Evaggelos Tripolitakis
Computer Engineer with a Master’s degree (MSc) in Electronic Automation Systems
Mr. Evaggelos Tripolitakis is a Computer Engineer with a Master’s degree (MSc) in Electronic Automation Systems, Informatics, and Communications. He has several years of experience in both the private sector and through participation in a large number of research projects as a scientific collaborator. He is a PhD candidate at the Hellenic Mediterranean University. He has experience in the design, development, and programming of information systems, databases, and data structures. His role in the project will be the development of the digital platform for data representation in crop protection, as mentioned in the Operational Plan.
The implementing and publicity partner
AGRENAOS is a certified agricultural advisory organization and has many years of experience in the management of operational programmes for producer organizations, in the use of rural development financial instruments and in the development of environmentally friendly solutions in agricultural production. Agrenaos has been involved in a number of national and research projects as an innovation broker and as an agent for the dissemination and demonstration of innovation in the agricultural sector. The company is staffed with an adequate number of partners in the Region and is leading the creation of a network of agricultural consultants for the promotion of innovative practices in the Greek agricultural sector. In addition, partnerships with scientific institutions, in Greece and abroad, ensure the necessary synergies for consolidating knowledge and innovation in the agricultural sector.
Christos Karatzas
MSc Agronomist – Agricultural Economist, AUA (Agricultural University of Athens).
Mr Christos Karatzas specializes in the establishment and operation of producer organizations and has been systematically involved in cooperative law issues. He has many years of experience in coordinating activities in European programmes for the promotion and dissemination of research and innovation in the agri-food sector. In recent years, he has been involved in the creation and operation of a technical support office for a network of agricultural cooperatives and rural development consultants regarding the measures of the Rural Development Programme of CAP 2014-20. He also participates in the organization of a similar network of agricultural advisors in Greece. He has served as an expert in the COPA-COGECA working groups on fruit and vegetables and rural development in Brussels and he is a member of various thematics of the EU CAP Network.
Panagiotis Nasis
MSc Agronomist in Food Science and Technology, AUA.
Mr Panagiotis Nasis has participated in various seminars and conferences on New Technologies for Smart Agriculture, Total Quality and Control in Food Packaging and he is a trainer for agronomists supervising integrated management models and implementing sustainable systems in crop production.
Christos Lymperopoulos
Agronomist in Plant Production, AUA.
Mr Christos Lymperopoulos has participated in seminars and conferences on plant protection, entomology and precision agriculture. He has worked on projects for the control of pests and has contributed to the survey of the insect fauna in the area of Messinia.
