– Maurice Maeterlinck
HELLENIC JUICE INDUSTRY C. DEDES, ASPIS S.A., in collaboration with producer groups, cooperatives, scientific bodies, beekeepers and agricultural consultants, implements the program titled “BEe project 2018”.
The program concerns the investigation, description and implementation of actions aimed at protecting, preserving and enhancing the health of bees in the Imathia region.
The cooperation program “ΒEe project 2018” started in October 2018, following the initiative of ASPIS S.A., in the framework of the implementation of the Corporate Social Responsibility program of the company and in particular the Sustainable Development and Supply of Raw Materials.
ASPIS S.A., recognizing the need to take initiatives that aim at protecting the natural resources, biodiversity and the wider environment in which it operates, has undertaken a series of targeted actions that also contribute to the sustainable development and prosperity of the company and all interested parties.
In particular, in the context of encouraging our suppliers’ farmers to implement practices that aim at sustainable agricultural management and at the same time highlighting the need for the protection of important and vulnerable species such as bee and their ecosystems, the BEe project has been developed.
The main objective of the program is to highlight the positive impacts of the implementation of Good Cultivation Practices both on life and well-being of farmers, but also on the biodiversity and ecosystems around the farms.
The most important “job” for the bees is pollination and helps to transport pollen from the anthers of a flower to the stigma of the same or another flower of the same spiecies plant. Pollination is responsible for 76% of European food production and the bee is considered essential for global food security. Effective pollination increases both the quantity number of agricultural products and their quality.
The most important “job” for the bees is pollination and helps to transport pollen from the anthers of a flower to the stigma of the same or another flower of the same spiecies plant. Pollination is responsible for 76% of European food production and the bee is considered essential for global food security. Effective pollination increases both the quantity number of agricultural products and their quality.
Bee helps to pollinate biodiversity conservation, enrich wildlife, protects soils from erosion, helps to improve pastures and, in general, maintains the biological balance on our planet. Without the pollination, the plant kingdom would be poorer, many important species of both the cultivated plants and the native flora would not be able to survive with adverse chain reactions to the environment and ecosystems, with negative effects on the conservation and evolution of biodiversity , the structure and composition of the soil.
Improving the bee health is a social responsibility but also a necessary priority to be able to produce high- quality products from selected fruits and vegetables in the future.
In recent years, scientific research has shown that the bee population is constantly decreasing and may even disappear. The exact causes of this increased threat may not be fully known, but it is accepted by the scientific community that climate change, desertification, environmental pollution and intensification of crops have a negative impact on the health of bees.
Scientists point out that if the phenomenon of bee population reduction is not studied and confronted in a coordinated manner, there may be huge consequences for the entire planet.
One of the most serious threats to the bee is the decrease of biodiversity that affects both bees living in beekeepers and wild bees that need undisturbed biotopes to build their nests.
One of the most serious threats to the bee is the decrease of biodiversity that affects both bees living in beekeepers and wild bees that need undisturbed biotopes to build their nests.
Monocultures are another factor that affects the lives of bees because they need a variety of flowering plants for their survival.
One of the most serious threats to the bee is the inappropriate use of plant protection products on agricultural holdings (insecticides, acaricides, fungicides, antibiotics, nematicides, herbicides, etc.). Research has shown that the harmful effects of pesticides on bees have to do with nerve and endocrine disorders, change in behavior, weight reduction, susceptibility to diseases due to its effects on the immune system, reduced reproduction etc.
ASPIS S.A., understanding the devastating role of the bee for the planet and humanity, has taken the initiative to develop strategic partnerships with both research institutes and primary sector productive organizations to implement actions that combat the mortality and protect the health of such an important crop pollinator.
ASPIS S.A., understanding the devastating role of the bee for the planet and humanity, has taken the initiative to develop strategic partnerships with both research institutes and primary sector productive organizations to implement actions that combat the mortality and protect the health of such an important crop pollinator.
Agriculture and the retention of biodiversity are inseparably linked pillars, on which we worked at for the development of “BEe project 2018”. We take care of selected domestic partnerships and united efforts with leading fruit producers, the proper handling of farm resources and the continuous training of those involved in agricultural activities for the benefit of bee health and the protection of their environment.
The application of cultivation practices through integrated plant protection programs minimizes the use of pesticides and contributes significantly to the reduction of problems associated with the bee. Through the program “BEeproject2018”, the following actions are planned to be implemented:
The Agricultural Cooperative of Xechasmeni was founded in 1956 and numbers 260 members – producers. Its facilities are on a privately owned plot of 3 acres and has 4 refrigerated chambers of 600 sqm. It has a modern sorting machine – packing machine with a processing capacity of 17 tons per hour as well as small packaging machines. Since 2007, the company has been operating in the consortium A.C.P. KOMEX (a partnership with A.C. NEOS APOLLON), which manages many products (industrial strawberries, nectarines, plums, cetinas etc.) aiming at high quality and excellent cooperation with its customers. The products are all certified with AGRO 2.1, 2.2 and GLOBAL G.A.P.
Xechasmeni, Alexandria, Imathia – 59300, Greece
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
The A.C. Episkopi “ALEXANDROS” was founded in 2004, headquartered in Episkopi of Alexandria. It operates throughout the province of Alexandria in cooperation with local operators and producers.
MAIN ACTIVITIES
The main purpose of the cooperative is to serve its members as an autonomous economic unit by selling the products themselves (table peaches, nectarines, plums, pears, peaches, apples, table grapes etc) in the domestic market (industries, with reception centers throughout the wider area of the new Municipality of Alexandria, specifically in Episkopi, Alexandria and Koryfi. It has also expanded the trade of supplies and other merchandise to members, and the provision of various services with the cooperation of third parties. Participation with a small percentage in the company GAIA BUSINESS S.A.
Future Goals and Development Policy of the A.C. moving in various directions, such as:
EMPLOYED STAFF – ORGANIZATION – REMOVAL
The regular staff of the company has a TEI graduate. Administration and Economy with a permanent working relationship. Also, a University of Agricultural Education Administrator – Administration Officer of University Education. An economist – accountant and a computerized accountant with a pay contract, with seasonal staff of 15-20 people (office workers, agronomists, weighers, drivers, laborers etc).
ECONOMIC SITUATION
The Agricultural Cooperative of Episkopi “Alexander” is a healthy company without any debt and debts to third parties.
The number of members of the A.C. is 296 for fresh fruit and vegetables.
The number of members in VAT services, financial services (bookkeeping of regular and special status farmers, regulatory services (IMCS etc)) is 2,300 producers.
STRUCTURE OF CROPS
The quantification of the production of fresh fruit and vegetables is as follows:
EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND EXPERIENCE
The existing infrastructure of A.C. Episkopi, in each receiving center are buildings with offices and warehouses, plots with weighbridges, sheds, lifting machines etc. Incomplete construction of a cooling plant (05/02/2019).
Contact telephones: Contact person 6977916821 Mr. Daoukas Stefanos
Episkopi, Alexandria, Imathia – 59300
The Diavato’s Agricultural Cooperative of Fruit and Vegetables, “Agios Konstantinos” is located in Diavato, Imathia 6th km north of Veroia. The village owes its name to the fact that when the plain of Campania was an impassable marsh, this area was the only place from which one could easily pass. The soil is flat and is mainly covered by peach and nectarine crops, with which the Agricultural Association of Fruit and Vegetables Diavato, Agios Konstantinos.
The objective of the Cooperative is to optimize the economic and social status of its members through the application of specific values and principles, as well as to ensure the presence of small economic units that would have disappeared from the competitive power of large enterprises.
The residents of Diavato are very industrious, creative, friendly, hospitable and above all love their place, so they try through cooperatives to promote the products they produce and to make them known in Greece and internationally.
The aim of the cooperative is to secure lower prices for the supply of their supplies, fertilizers, seeds, and gaining higher prices for their agricultural products.
The main concern of the Agios Konstantinos Agricultural Cooperative is the promotion of Greek products, the support of the Greek producer and the preservation of high quality products produced in prefecture.
Diavato,Veroia, Imathia – 59100, Greece