the LIVINGAGRO project logo and logos of the project leaders

Registration is open for free online presentations and one-to-one meetings with innovators who will offer solutions to challenges in the olive oil, olive, and livestock sectors in Greece. Organized by the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania as part of the EU-funded LIVINGAGRO project, this event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 20-22.

The goal of the event is to bring together innovators with Greek farmers and professionals working in the olive oil, olive, or grazed woodlands sectors. Interested individuals can register here to attend any or all of the sixteen 15-minute presentations (in Greek) and arrange individual B2B meetings.

What topics will be addressed?

  • Intercropping in Olive Groves  
  • Precision Agriculture  
  • Machinery 
  • Health Benefit Determination   
  • Olive Tree and Olive Oil Authentication 
  • Preparation for Climate Change
  • Re-using Traditional Practices in Agroforestry

See below for a complete list of the innovations to be discussed, in Greek. Detailed information about each innovation is available in Greek in the event’s agenda, which is visible after free advance registration. The entire Catalogue of Innovations is also available in English on the LIVINGAGRO project web page.

In addition to attending the presentations, participants are encouraged to arrange private online meetings with the creators of the innovations through the Praxi Network platform by clicking "request meeting" in the profiles of the innovators. This will enable participants to ask questions and find out more.

This B2B event was made possible by LIVINGAGRO - Cross Border Living Laboratories for Agroforestry, a project funded by the European Union under the ENI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme 2014-2020

For those unable to attend the July meetings, there will be additional presentations in Chania at a later date, most likely in a face-to-face format (conditions and regulations permitting). For more information, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 28210 35030.

What is LIVINGAGRO?

LIVINGAGRO is an EU-funded project that is dedicated to bringing together innovators and stakeholders for mutually beneficial collaborations based on living labs in two areas: multifunctional olive systems and grazed woodlands. These living labs involve closer collaboration between researchers and economic stakeholders, including Greek olive farmers, livestock breeders, and others in the olive, meat, and dairy sectors, than traditional projects.

What are LIVINGAGRO project partners doing?

Rather than simply doing research in isolated labs, scientists are asking farmers, company representatives, policy makers, and other stakeholders for input about the types of problems they need to solve, as well as the most workable solutions. While other project partners are working from their bases in Italy, Lebanon, and Jordan, the Greek part of the team is based at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICh).

LIVINGAGRO team members have surveyed numerous stakeholders who work with olive oil and grazed woodlands to determine their needs. Many survey respondents indicated a desire to increase their product’s quality, improve plant health and/or soil fertility, reduce their production costs, increase the quantity produced, and reduce their use of chemical products. Innovations have been identified that can meet those needs as well as others. On July 20-21, innovators will be presenting potential solutions to challenges to interested members of the public, as well as inviting more comments about stakeholders’ needs.

Καινοτομίες που θα παρουσιαστούν

(Innovations to be Presented)

Συγκαλλιέργεια σε ελαιώνες
•    Καινοτομία 1: Συγκαλλιέργεια ελιάς με όσπρια- Σπύρος Λιονάκης, Ομότιμος καθηγητής Δενδροκομίας ΕΛΜΕΠΑ
•    Καινοτομία 2: Συγκαλλιέργεια ελιάς-αβοκάντο- Σπύρος Λιονάκης, Ομότιμος καθηγητής Δενδροκομίας ΕΛΜΕΠΑ

Γεωργία ακριβείας
•    Καινοτομία 3 : Το σύστημα ευφυούς γεωργίας gaiasense της NEUROPUBLIC - Υπηρεσίες ευφυούς γεωργίας για την άρδευση, τη λίπανση και τη φυτοπροστασία των καλλιεργειών- Βασίλης Πρωτονοτάριος -NEUROPUBLIC/ gaiasense
•    Καινοτομία 4: gaiasense1 εφαρμογή για κινητά- Βασίλειος Πρωτονοτάριος-gaiasense
•    Καινοτομία 5: ZenIrriware Σύστημα Άρδευσης Ακριβείας-Κωνσταντίνος Σ. Χαρτζουλάκης, Γεωπόνος-Ερευνητής, Αρδεύσεις & Ελαιοκομία, τ. Δ/ντής Ινστιτούτου Ελιάς και Υποτροπικών Φυτών
•    Καινοτομία 6 : FruitFlyNet -ii αυτοματοποιημένο σύστημα παρακολούθησης και ελέγχου κατά του δάκου και της μύγας της Μεσογείου- Θεόδωρος Τσιλιγκιρίδης-Διονύσιος Περδίκη, Γεωπονικό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
•    Καινοτομία 7 : MyOliveGroveCoach πολυ- φασματική ανίχνευση για την προγνωστική διαχείριση του Verticillium wilt σε ελαιώνες, Άρης Λάλος/Ινστιτούτο Βιομηχανικών Συστημάτων, Κέντρο Ερευνών Αθηνάς - Χρήστος Ξούρης/Ρομποτική Gaia

Μηχανήματα
•    Καινοτομία 8 : Νέο σύστημα πλυσίματος και ξήρανσης για τις ελιές στο ελαιουργείο-Ευτύχης Ανδρουλάκης-Παραγωγός, ελαιοποιητής και τροποποίηση και χρονισμος μηχανημάτων ελαιοποιησης (PAMAKO)
•    Kαινοτομία 9 : Διαχωρισμός πυρήνα ελιάς – θραυστήρας χωρίς πλαστικά ή καουτσούκ τμήματα προσαρμοσμένος για να απομακρυνθεί το μεγαλύτερο μέρος του φλοιού της ελιάς με σκοπό την διατήρηση της θερμοκρασίας μεταξύ άλλων-Ευτύχης Ανδρουλάκης-PAMAKO

Προσδιορισμός οφέλους για την υγεία
•    Καινοτομία 10 : The Olive Predictor-Προκόπιος Μαγιάτης-Τομέας Φαρμακογνωσίας και Χημείας Φυσικών Προϊόντων-Τμήμα Φαρμακευτικής, Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών

Προσδιορισμός ποικιλίας προέλευσης ελιάς και ελαιόλαδου
•    Καινοτομία 11: Προσδιορισμός της ποικιλίας προέλευσης ελαιόλαδου μέσω DNA- Παναγιώτης Καλαϊτζής- Τμήμα Γενετικής & Βιοτεχνολογίας Οπωροκηπευτικών -Μεσογειακό Αγρονομικό Ινστιτούτο Χανίων
•    Καινοτομία 12: oliveID, ένα εργαλείο για την ταυτοποίηση ποικιλιών ελιάς μέσω της εικόνας του καρπού, του φύλλου και του ενδοκαρπίου, Κωνσταντίνος Ν. Μπλαζάκης, Τμήμα Γενετικής & Βιοτεχνολογίας Οπωροκηπευτικών, Μεσογειακό Αγρονομικό Ινστιτούτο Χανίων
•    Καινοτομία 13: Χρήση μεθοδολογίας VAC-HS- SPME για τον χαρακτηρισμό του προφίλ αρώματος του ελαιολάδου για αξιολόγηση ποιότητας και γνησιότητας-Έλια Ψυλλάκη, Σχολή Χημικών Μηχανικών και Μηχανικών Περιβάλλοντος -Πολυτεχνείο Κρήτης

Προετοιμασία για την αλλαγή του κλίματος
•    Καινοτομία 14: Εμβολιασμένα ελαιόδενδρα ανθεκτικά στις επιπτώσεις της κλιματικής αλλαγής- Γιώργος Κωστελένος-Φυτώρια Κωστελένος-Γαλατάς, Τροιζηνία

Επαναχρησιμοποίηση παραδοσιακών πρακτικών διαχείρισης αγροδασολίβαδων
•    Καινοτομία 15: Αραίωση και κλάδεμα δέντρων σε δασολιβαδικά συστήματα-Αναστασία Παντέρα, Τμήμα Διαχείρισης Δασών και Φυσικού Περιβάλλοντος-Γεωπονικό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
•    Καινοτομία 16: Καθαρισμός θάμνων και σπορά ενός μίγματος γρασιδιού και οσπρίων σε δασολιβαδικά συστήματα-Αναστασία Παντέρα, Τμήμα Διαχείρισης Δασών και Φυσικού Περιβάλλοντος-Γεωπονικό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών

North American Olive Oil Association very horiz banner

News and Information for Producers

To Consider

Is your bottled extra virgin olive oil available in the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, or other countries where English is (at least sometimes) spoken, either online or in stores? If so, please let me know (by email to info@greekliquidgold.com or via Facebook message) where and how it is available there. I sometimes receive queries about where people can buy Greek EVOO, so I have now published a list, which I update as needed.

Is your company on Greek Liquid Gold's Olive Oil Companies' Website Links page? If not, you can email info@greekliquidgold.com to request a free listing of your company name with a website link if you produce certified 100% Greek bottled and branded extra virgin olive oil, and you have an English-language website. (Please include a one or two word company name and the link to the English home page with such a request.)

Do you like what you see here, want to gain increased international exposure and help your potential customers learn about your products, and help this website continue to flourish? Read here about supporting Greek Liquid Gold's efforts to promote the high quality and health benefits of Greek extra virgin olive oil with advertisements on this site, which has reached readers in more than 215 countries, or by hiring Greek Liquid Gold writer, editor, and creator Dr. Lisa Radinovsky to help with English-language writing and/or editing for your company's website or other promotional materials.

News Articles and Announcements for Greek Producers (mostly articles and events in Greek)

Οι 10 κορυφαίες χώρες παραγωγής ελαιολάδου: Η Τυνησία είναι 3η, η Ελλάδα 5η

In Olivenews.gr, Vassilis Zampounis shared this disappointing news for Greece: in 2023/24 it produced the 5th largest quantity of olive oil in the world.

Μια ιστορική στιγμή για το ελαιόλαδο συνέβη στην Αμερική

In Olivenews.gr, Vassilis Zampounis reflects on Spain's increasing success with olive oil in the US market and the reasons and effects of this. For example, he says, in the medium-long term, the rise of Spain closes the tap of Greek bulk exports to Italy.

The Olive Wisdom Network Coaching & Consulting group

The first coaching & consulting group specially designed for Greek olive oil producers and bottlers, to be held on the Zoom platform starting September 18. Information is available in Greek.

Βιώσιμη ελαιοκαλλιέργεια στην Ελλάδα: πέρα από την κλιματική κρίση

An important consideration of how to make olive cultivation sustainable in Greece in the face of climate change.

Κρητικές εξαγωγές: αισιοδοξία αριθμών, ανταγωνιστική πρόκληση μεταξύ χύμα και τυποποιημένου

Olive oil made up 52.7% of all Cretan exported products and 76% of Cretan food and beverages, but much of it was exported in bulk rather than bottled.

Η Αυστραλία υιοθετεί το πρόγραμμα «Παρακολούθηση Ποιότητας Ελαιολάδου» στα ράφια των σούπερ μάρκετ

For both domestic and imported olive oils, Australia will adopt an inspection program similar to that of the North American Olive Oil Association.

Στην Σουηδία οι εισαγωγές ελαιολάδου αυξάνονται

With olive oil sales expected to continue increasing in Sweden, there are both opportunities and challenges for international producers interested in this market.

Ένα πρώτο βήμα διαλόγου και ενημέρωσης για τα επίκαιρα ζητήματα της νέας ελαιοκομικής περιόδου

A report from Olivenews.gr on a recent collaborative press conference about the Greek olive oil sector.

An Olive Leaves-Based Diet Might Improve Sheep's Cheese

"New research reveals that adding olive leaves to a ewe's diet results in healthier cheese," and consumers may also appreciate this, so this could be a very productive use of olive leaves.

The Canada Insights

Very useful information for Greeks interested in exporting to Canada, from the Senior Trade Commissioner at the Consulate General of Greece in Toronto.

Όλη η Ημερίδα της 4Ε με θέμα: “Ελαιόλαδο – Πυρηνέλαιο – Σπορέλαια”

A video of a discussion on "Olive Oil - Kernel Oil - Seed Oils: Relationships between nutritional value and economy" (featuring a number of Greek experts) is now available.

Η ελληνική παρουσία στην αγορά ελαιολάδου του Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου

Useful information about the olive oil market in the UK, from olivenews.gr.

Κατοχύρωση 4 βασικών Γεωγραφικών Ενδείξεων Ελαιολάδου στο Διεθνές Μητρώο της Πράξης της Γενεύης

SEVITEL has submitted four important Greek PDOs/PGIs for registration with the World Intellectual Property Organization of the United Nations.

The keys to increasing the consumption of olive oil in the US

An excellent article by Joseph Profaci, Executive Director of the North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA), about how--and why--to increase olive oil consumption in the USA.

Ένα βήμα από τον Σπήλιο Λιβανό για την ανάπτυξη εθνικής ελαιοκομικής στρατηγικής

In the first step toward the development of a national olive growing strategy, two working groups have been formed.

As Canadian Olive Oil Market Grows, Greek Exporters Fall Behind

"A report issued by the Greek Consulate in Toronto found that Greece has lost ground in the Canadian olive oil market, having been surpassed by Tunisia."

Το 3ο Συνέδριο της Άξιον Εκδοτική διαθέσιμο στο Youtube

Now available on YouTube: the June 9 conference organized by Axion Ekdotiki (publisher of Olive & Olive Oil and olivenews.gr) focused on olive oil marketing networks from the milling stage to the final consumer.

The OliveClima LIFE project

This European Union project team produced five useful demonstration videos (in Greek, with good English subtitles) for olive farmers who wish to help the environment while lowering their costs and improving their products: Weed management in olive groves during winter; Olive tree pruning; Fertilizing olive trees; Compost from the pruning of the olive grove; and Holistic olive grove management.

Η παρενιαυτοφορία στην ελιά και τρόποι αντιμετώπισης

Advice for olive farmers who wish to avoid significantly decreased production every second year, from Olivenews.gr.

Η Xylella f. και η ανάγκη επιστημονικής ψύχραιμης προσέγγισης

Three scientists calmly consider research on Xylella fastidiosa for Olivenews.gr.

Olive Flies in Spain Are Immune to Common Pesticide, Study Finds

Concerning news for producers who rely on organophosphate pesticides.

Γυάλινη ή πλαστική φιάλη για το έξτρα, διχάζουν την Ισπανία

This in-depth, well considered examination of the issue of whether glass or plastic is better for EVOO containers from Olivenews.gr (in Greek) brings up points I had not considered (without, however, comparing metal containers). Although the context is a new Spanish law, the discussion is also relevant in and beyond Greece.

Πλατφόρμα υποστήριξης του Αγροδιατροφικού Τομέα & καταπολέμησης της ανεργίας από τον Αγροτικό Συνεταιρισμό “Ένωση Μεσσηνίας”

This article describes a new online platform where farmers, cooperatives, and businesses in Messinia can publish their labor needs, and interested workers can disclose their availability for employment.

Επιστημονική Εταιρεία Εγκυκλοπαιδιστών Ελαιοκομίας (4Ε)

The website of the Olive Encyclopedists Society (4E) includes news and information about the olive oil market, agricultural policy, olive cultivation, health, nutrition, olive oil chemistry, events, and more. Written in Greek, it allows direct Google translation into English and many other languages.

Dimitra Alieos talks to Vasilis Zampounis about the strong and weaker aspects regarding the place of Greek olive oil in the international market

An in-depth, informative article based on an interview with an international expert. It includes worldwide production estimates for the 2019/20 crop year. For the Greek version of the same article, see Η Δήμητρα Αλιέως μιλά στον Βασίλη Ζαμπούνη για τη θέση του ελληνικού ελαιολάδου στη διεθνή αγορά.

Pulsed Electric Technology Increases Yield and Quality, Study Finds

"A study from the University of Perugia confirms that pulsed electric field technology increases both the quality and yield for three different olive cultivars."

ARISTOIL Guide for Producers: Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Health Protective Properties

For olive oil producers interested in making the healthiest possible olive oil: a guide from the World Olive Center for Health and the Aristoil project (in English).

Αειφορική ελαιοκομία – φιλική στο περιβάλλον και τον άνθρωπο

General advice from olivenews.gr on how to be sure olive cultivation is as environmentally friendly as it can be.

Απαραίτητη προϋπόθεση το ελληνικό παρθένο ελαιόλαδο για τη χορήγηση του σήματος «Ελληνική Κουζίνα»

This article lists the requirements for a Special Quality Sign for Greek Cuisine (ΕΣΠΕΚ) for restaurants and catering businesses, as determined by the Ministry of Tourism, in order to promote Greek gastronomy and support primary production, especially at the local level. Naturally, Greek olive oil is an important part of this.

Industrial Ultrasound Applications in The Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Extraction Process: History, Approaches, and Key Questions

This is likely to interest olive millers. Click on the title at the linked page to read the entire article.

Τα 4Ε εντάσσονται στην ΕΔΟΕ

Olive oil scientists organized by the Olive Encyclopaedia Scientific Society (4E) have now been incorporated as Associate Members of the National Interprofessional Organization of Olive Oil (ΕΔΟΕ) in an effort to foster cooperation between scientists and businesses in the sector.

New Device Detects Adulteration Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy

As Daniel Dawson writes for Olive Oil Times, "The sensor uses a combination of laser diodes and computer-constructed algorithms to measure light emissions from samples of olive oils to determine whether they are correctly labeled."

Machine Improves Yield in Trial Runs by Hitting Olive Paste With Electricity

An interesting technological development in olive oil production.

ΟΔΗΓΟ ΟΡΘΩΝ ΠΡΑΚΤΙΚΩΝ ΣΤΗΝ ΠΑΡΑΓΩΓΙΚΗ ΔΙΑΔΙΚΑΣΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΕΛΑΙΟΛΑΔΟΥ

A 5-page guide to recommended practices in the production of olive oil from SEVITEL.

Xylella fastidiosa

This is a page from the Greek Ministry of Rural Development with photos and information to help Greeks avoid having Xylella become a problem in Greece.

Ενημέρωση για τον οργανισμό καραντίνας Xylella fastidiosa

This article in Agrocapital provides a brief overview of the importance of keeping Xylella out of Greece and the ways to do so, with links to additional information, all in Greek.

Ίδρυση Επιστημονικής Εταιρείας Ελαιοκομίας

This article discusses the establishment of an Olive Encyclopaedia Research Society called 4E (because of its Greek name) and lists its founding members board members.

Σε επιφυλακή οι Περιφέρειες λόγω xylella στη Μαδρίτη

Information, caution, and advice on keeping Xylella out of Greece and what to do if it appears here.

Εν μέσω ανομβρίας, ορθολογικό πότισμα στην ελιά

Advice on irrigation of olive groves in dry areas to reduce the drought's negative effects on flowering and fruiting.

Άνοιγμα σε νέα μέλη για τη Φίλαιος

For Greeks who use, produce, believe in, and/or care about olive oil (since this is all in Greek): you can become a member of Filaios, the Association of Friends of Olive Oil. More info here.