Research & Innovation

Building a Sustainable Future through Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer

The production of scientific knowledge and the development of technological innovation through the design and implementation of research and development programs shall focus on the following areas:

  • Fisheries Research

    Fisheries Research

    It focuses on the management of fisheries resources through the study of the biology, ecology, and population dynamics of marine organisms of economic and/or ecological interest, as well as the environmental parameters (physico-chemical, oceanographic) that affect them. It also concerns the study of the fish fauna in relation to the natural environment in inland waters, the plant and animal organisms living mainly on the bottom of transitional and coastal ecosystems, and the interactions between them. The development of new environmentally friendly technologies in the fields of processing of fishery products, aquaculture of animal and plant organisms, and biotechnological utilization of fishery and aquaculture products and by-products is also an important area of research.

    View more on Institute of Fisheries Research

  • Forestry Research

    Forestry Research

    It focuses on the functions and dynamics of forest and grassland ecosystems, biogeochemical and hydrogeological cycles, plant ecophysiology and plant sociology. Aiming at sustainable production of products and ecosystem services based on ecological principles, forestry research focuses on the generation of new knowledge and technology for the management, utilization, protection and improvement of forests and grassland ecosystems/grasslands, agroforestry, wildlife studies, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems and protected areas, and urban forestry. In addition, research will focus on the protection of forest ecosystems from abiotic and biotic agents, fire risk protection and management, post-fire restoration and management of burnt forest areas, resilience and adaptation of forest ecosystems and their role in mitigating the effects of climate change.

    View more on Institute of Forest Research

    View more on Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems

  • Animal production

    Animal production

    Research focuses on the breeding of productive animals (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, birds, conifers) and in particular on the adaptation of farming systems, the effects of climate change, the reduction of the environmental footprint, the development of precision feeding systems, the use of new raw materials in the feeding of productive animals, the adaptation of selection criteria to improve the efficiency and adaptability of animals, the characterization, conservation and utilization of animal genetic resources, The breeding and conservation of indigenous bee breeds, the improvement of indigenous genetic material in terms of disease resistance, the effect of toxic agents on biology, physiology and reproductive capacity of bees, biological control of bee diseases, pollination and biodiversity of honey bees are also research topics.

    View more on Institute of Institute of Animal Husbandry Science

  • Veterinary Research

    Veterinary Research

    It concerns the reproductive patterns of domestic breeds of productive livestock, the control and management of their infertility and management schemes to address the effects of climate change (heat stress) on their reproduction. It focuses on the epidemiological investigation of chronic animal diseases that have a negative impact on the productivity of livestock, the management of antimicrobial and anthelmintic resistance through innovative and alternative approaches, (re-)emerging diseases and the improvement of the health and welfare of production animals. Research will also focus on the Hygiene and Safety for Food of Animal Origin and their impact on Public Health, the development of innovative functional foods with high added value and specific indications and the investigation of foodborne epidemics that threaten Public Health.

    View more on Institute of Veterinary Research

  • Crop production

    Crop production

    Plant production is the focus of the research (large-scale crops, vegetables, olives, vines, citrus, fruit trees, subtropical plants and tree nuts, aromatic, medicinal and native plants of the Greek flora, as well as flowering plants), with emphasis on cultivation techniques, physiology and nutrition and sustainable management in terms of fertilization and irrigation with the strategic objective of adaptation to climate change and optimal management of production factors on the basis of Precision Agriculture, designing, evaluating and applying improved and resilient farming systems (hydroponics and aquaponics, agroecology, circular economy and waste utilization). Plant interactions with biotic factors are also in the research areas of the Institutes. The protection of crops from animal pests, pathogens and weeds involves the development of methods for their early and accurate detection, diagnosis and identification and subsequent management using approaches such as the use of beneficial organisms, resistant varieties, biotechnological methods, and 'green' plant protection products.

    View more on Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture

    View more on Institute of Industrial and Forage Crops

    View more on Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources

  • Soil and water resources

    Soil and water resources

    Research on soil and water resources focuses on soil and surface and groundwater management, as well as other related fields such as geothermal energy, crop mechanization and waste management. Research is supported by modern technological tools such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, mathematical models, artificial intelligence and communication systems between computers and sensors for the observation of environmental field parameters. The ultimate goal of the above is to promote sustainable and intelligent farming practices, for an integrated production management and optimal use of inputs, with a view to reducing production costs and protecting the environment.

    View more on Institute of Institute of Soil and Water Resources

    View more on Institute of of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture

    View more on Institute of Industrial and Forage Crops

  • Technology of Agricultural Products

    Technology of Agricultural Products

    Research focuses on food quality assurance with particular emphasis on safety, the development and application of methods and techniques for the conversion of raw products of primary agricultural production into food or other forms useful to the food industry, and the development and application of technologies for the preservation of fresh products of plant and animal origin. In addition, methods for the production and processing of wine, alcoholic beverages, by-products and co-products of alcoholic fermentation and vinification will be explored, as well as the study and evaluation of the quality potential of the Greek vineyard. The research also focuses on the quality of raw milk of different sheep and goats breeds, the detection of residues in dairy products, the standardization of traditional Greek cheeses (including PDO products), new innovative products and the improvement of their quality, hygiene, and safety, including the utilization of by-products.

    View more on Institute of Technology of Agricultural Products

  • Agricultural Economics and Sociology

    Agricultural Economics and Sociology

    The agro-economic and sociological research focuses on the monitoring, analysis, and evaluation of the evolution of the Greek agricultural and fisheries economy and society as well as the European and International environment. It analyzes the economic viability, the ways of organization and strategy of the production sectors, the organization and operation of cooperatives and producer groups, the development of other economic activities in the countryside, including agrotourism and alternative forms of energy, consumer behavior and agricultural policy.

    View more on Institute of Institute of Agricultural Economics Research

  • Genetic improvement

    Genetic improvement – Production of certified Plant propagation Material

    In terms of Genetic improvement, research focuses on the collection and conservation of the biodiversity of plant genetic resources (such as native varieties) as well as on the creation and promotion of new varieties and species with improved yield, quality, and adaptability. New improvement methodologies (including molecular tool-assisted methods) are being developed, exploiting new or existing genetic variability and focusing on the identification of genes controlling quality, quantity and stress resistance. Forage and legume crops, cotton, tobacco, vegetables, and cereals are improved and seeded, while mother plantations of olive and other tree species are maintained. The certified plant propagation material produced by ELGO-DIMITRA is made available to companies producing propagating material (seed production and nursery companies) so that material certified for its varietal identity and germination can be made available to producers.

    View more on Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources

    View more on Institute of Industrial and Forage Crops

    View more on Institute of of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture

Fisheries Research

Fisheries Research

It focuses on the management of fisheries resources through the study of the biology, ecology, and population dynamics of marine organisms of economic and/or ecological interest, as well as the environmental parameters (physico-chemical, oceanographic) that affect them. It also concerns the study of the fish fauna in relation to the natural environment in inland waters, the plant and animal organisms living mainly on the bottom of transitional and coastal ecosystems, and the interactions between them. The development of new environmentally friendly technologies in the fields of processing of fishery products, aquaculture of animal and plant organisms, and biotechnological utilization of fishery and aquaculture products and by-products is also an important area of research.

Forestry Research

Forestry Research

It focuses on the functions and dynamics of forest and grassland ecosystems, biogeochemical and hydrogeological cycles, plant ecophysiology and plant sociology. Aiming at sustainable production of products and ecosystem services based on ecological principles, forestry research focuses on the generation of new knowledge and technology for the management, utilization, protection and improvement of forests and grassland ecosystems/grasslands, agroforestry, wildlife studies, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems and protected areas, and urban forestry. In addition, research will focus on the protection of forest ecosystems from abiotic and biotic agents, fire risk protection and management, post-fire restoration and management of burnt forest areas, resilience and adaptation of forest ecosystems and their role in mitigating the effects of climate change.

Animal production

Animal production

Research focuses on the breeding of productive animals (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, birds, conifers) and in particular on the adaptation of farming systems, the effects of climate change, the reduction of the environmental footprint, the development of precision feeding systems, the use of new raw materials in the feeding of productive animals, the adaptation of selection criteria to improve the efficiency and adaptability of animals, the characterization, conservation and utilization of animal genetic resources, The breeding and conservation of indigenous bee breeds, the improvement of indigenous genetic material in terms of disease resistance, the effect of toxic agents on biology, physiology and reproductive capacity of bees, biological control of bee diseases, pollination and biodiversity of honey bees are also research topics.

Veterinary Research

Veterinary Research

It concerns the reproductive patterns of domestic breeds of productive livestock, the control and management of their infertility and management schemes to address the effects of climate change (heat stress) on their reproduction. It focuses on the epidemiological investigation of chronic animal diseases that have a negative impact on the productivity of livestock, the management of antimicrobial and anthelmintic resistance through innovative and alternative approaches, (re-)emerging diseases and the improvement of the health and welfare of production animals. Research will also focus on the Hygiene and Safety for Food of Animal Origin and their impact on Public Health, the development of innovative functional foods with high added value and specific indications and the investigation of foodborne epidemics that threaten Public Health.

Crop production

Crop production

Plant production is the focus of the research (large-scale crops, vegetables, olives, vines, citrus, fruit trees, subtropical plants and tree nuts, aromatic, medicinal and native plants of the Greek flora, as well as flowering plants), with emphasis on cultivation techniques, physiology and nutrition and sustainable management in terms of fertilization and irrigation with the strategic objective of adaptation to climate change and optimal management of production factors on the basis of Precision Agriculture, designing, evaluating and applying improved and resilient farming systems (hydroponics and aquaponics, agroecology, circular economy and waste utilization). Plant interactions with biotic factors are also in the research areas of the Institutes. The protection of crops from animal pests, pathogens and weeds involves the development of methods for their early and accurate detection, diagnosis and identification and subsequent management using approaches such as the use of beneficial organisms, resistant varieties, biotechnological methods, and 'green' plant protection products.

Soil and water resources

Soil and water resources

Research on soil and water resources focuses on soil and surface and groundwater management, as well as other related fields such as geothermal energy, crop mechanization and waste management. Research is supported by modern technological tools such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, mathematical models, artificial intelligence and communication systems between computers and sensors for the observation of environmental field parameters. The ultimate goal of the above is to promote sustainable and intelligent farming practices, for an integrated production management and optimal use of inputs, with a view to reducing production costs and protecting the environment.

Technology of Agricultural Products

Technology of Agricultural Products

Research focuses on food quality assurance with particular emphasis on safety, the development and application of methods and techniques for the conversion of raw products of primary agricultural production into food or other forms useful to the food industry, and the development and application of technologies for the preservation of fresh products of plant and animal origin. In addition, methods for the production and processing of wine, alcoholic beverages, by-products and co-products of alcoholic fermentation and vinification will be explored, as well as the study and evaluation of the quality potential of the Greek vineyard. The research also focuses on the quality of raw milk of different sheep and goats breeds, the detection of residues in dairy products, the standardization of traditional Greek cheeses (including PDO products), new innovative products and the improvement of their quality, hygiene, and safety, including the utilization of by-products.

Agricultural Economics and Sociology

Agricultural Economics and Sociology

The agro-economic and sociological research focuses on the monitoring, analysis, and evaluation of the evolution of the Greek agricultural and fisheries economy and society as well as the European and International environment. It analyzes the economic viability, the ways of organization and strategy of the production sectors, the organization and operation of cooperatives and producer groups, the development of other economic activities in the countryside, including agrotourism and alternative forms of energy, consumer behavior and agricultural policy.

Genetic improvement

Genetic improvement – Production of certified Plant propagation Material

In terms of Genetic improvement, research focuses on the collection and conservation of the biodiversity of plant genetic resources (such as native varieties) as well as on the creation and promotion of new varieties and species with improved yield, quality, and adaptability. New improvement methodologies (including molecular tool-assisted methods) are being developed, exploiting new or existing genetic variability and focusing on the identification of genes controlling quality, quantity and stress resistance. Forage and legume crops, cotton, tobacco, vegetables, and cereals are improved and seeded, while mother plantations of olive and other tree species are maintained. The certified plant propagation material produced by ELGO-DIMITRA is made available to companies producing propagating material (seed production and nursery companies) so that material certified for its varietal identity and germination can be made available to producers.

research innovation

11

Institutes all over Greece

443

Research Programs

182

Specialized Investigators

8

National collections of plant genetic resources