The humble chamomile that became a “weapon” in the pandemic
65% of the substances that have been recorded as new biomolecules -185 in total- that have been approved as anti-cancer drugs from 1981 to 2019 are products of natural origin or inspired by them.
Research conducted during the pandemic period has shown the beneficial immune effect of plant proteins such as leptins. The humble chamomile, the oregano, the St. John’s wort, the mountain tea, the Cretan malotra, the dittany, the Kozani saffron become true gold in the hands of farmers and businesses, when cultivated for their precious essential oils and bioactive ingredients.
The invaluable value of the natural wealth and biodiversity of Greece in an advanced productive and nutritional model, which is based on organic natural ingredients of plant origin for the production of food, nutritional supplements, medicines and alternative therapies for diseases and future goals, with improvement. of nutrition and the protection of human health is highlighted through research announcements in “6th Scientific Meeting on Local and Generation Varieties”organized by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of History and Archeology of AUTh.
Georgantas: The genetic material is the gold of the earth
“Genetic material is the gold of the earth”, stressed the Minister of Rural Development and Food, George Georgantas opens this morning, through an online presence, the proceedings of the scientific meeting.
“Today, the severity, dynamics and extent of the climate crisis make the development and widespread implementation of genetic monitoring imperative to ensure the protection of species and the conservation of breeds and families,” he said.
“Genetic and genomic monitoring is a strategic choice of special value, especially for Greece, which is characterized by such a high wealth of biodiversity and especially genetic diversity.
Greece is a country rich in biodiversity with a wide range of microclimates.
The utilization of properly selected varieties, from traditional species and varieties of Greece, through the classic or organic improvement and their promotion in the national seed production, organic agriculture and agriculture of reduced imports that created favorable prospects in the agri-food sector, not only for organic but also for organic organic farmers. the wider range of farmers in our country “, he explained.
Addressing the scientists and organizations participating in the event, Mr. Georgantas underlined that “Local diversity is an endangered genetic resource of multiple importance, scientific and socio-economic, while they are part of the history of tradition and culture of our country and we have a duty to leave as a national heritage to future generations.”
In this context, he stressed that “We as a State must strengthen the effort to register in the national catalog of products that you, the scientific community, characterize as local qualities, to promote modern in their commercial utilization, to continue the effort of preserving this material in genetic material banks but also in field “.
He pointed out the perspective “to move to some form of agricultural parks for perennial crops”, concluding that “The protection of the plant genetic resources and the genetic heritage of our country is a permanent national obligation and the foundation for the progress of Greek agriculture.”
Kalafatis: The local varieties, products of the utmost importance
“In the Macedonia and Thrace sector of the Ministry of Interior, we have invested in the quality and certified process of promoting the agricultural products of Macedonia and Thrace, in the framework of the principles of sustainability and regional development”, assured in his message the Deputy Minister of Interior (Macedonia-Thrace) Stavros Kalafatis, referring to relevant grant and support invitations for the certification of traditional local products, by securing PDO, PGI, EPIP markings.
“We consider the local and indigenous agricultural varieties of the utmost importance that support sustainable economic and social development,” he stressed.
The holistic interdisciplinary approach of the scientific meeting regarding the utilization of local and indigenous variations in the primary sector was mentioned by the Rector of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Professor Nikos Papaioannou, noting that “When you do not know your history, where you started, you can not understand its value today.”
He referred to the departments of the Aristotle Schools whose field of study includes the agri-food sector, as his research activity notes, he contributes significantly through programs of millions of euros, which come to the university.
“Many may not be aware that in times of economic crisis, agricultural products have ensured a compensatory balance of the country’s economic balance, because imports have increased, especially quality, local products, products of designation of origin, geographical indication, island mountain agriculture.
Fava of Santorini, the afkos of Lemnos, the beans of Prespa and Kastoria, local qualities of flowers and olives proved the value of an excellent combination of remarkable genetic material and beneficial effects of the microenvironment whose country has abundant and traditional product in full. “Patience, passion, faith, creativity of young people, both farmers and entrepreneurs”, said the chairman of the organizing and scientific committee, Athanasios Mavromatis.
“Climate change tends to become a disaster now”, remarked the president of the Central Macedonia Branch of GEOTEE, Athanasios Saropoulos, speaking about the current principle expressed by Hippocrates “that your medicine is your food and your food is your medicine . ».
He noted that “the genetic wealth of Greece is not ours, to use it as we have learned industrially, but a rich man that we borrow from future generations, a rich man who belongs to all humanity.”
The President of the Self-Managed Purchasing Body-Producers of Organic Products of Thessaloniki, Ioannis Papadopoulos, referred to the effort of the organic farmers for the spread of the traditional seeds and varieties, expressing his concern why “the planet earth where our children grow up is destroyed, we do not know what will happen to this planet the day after tomorrow, we did not protect the planet. “In a few years as we go we will not be able to cultivate anything and when we have this wealth called traditional seeds and we have let it disappear for the money, it is a shame.”