Implementation process

  • “Laboratory of Αgriculture and Applied Plant Physiology” will propose the appropriate leguminous crops that will be cultivated in fields of the farmers’ Cooperative “THESGI”.
  • Farmers’ cooperative THESGI will cultivate the above plants for the production of fodder to meet the nutritional needs of 50 dairy cows.
  • Dairy farm of Mr. Polycarpos Triantafyllou will use the previous mentioned production in order to feed 50 dairy cows.
  • “Laboratory of agriculture and Applied Plant Physiology” will install experimental fields to investigate the adaptability and best agricultural practices for leguminous crops cultivation.
  • “Laboratory of Agricultural Economy and Consumer Behaviour” will be the coordinator of the programme. Its aim is to evaluate the efficiency of all different applied practices that will be implemented in CropFeed project, in order to propose a final protocol that ensures profitability maximization for leguminous crops producers and dairy farm owners, taking into consideration climatic and soil conditions of Thessaly region.
  • The production efficiency of cows that will be fed on the new rations will be evaluated in relation to the normal breeding practice of the farm.
  • A field survey will be carried out on farmers in order to demonstrate their degree of desire to adopt these feedingstuffs and the price they are willing to pay for them.
  • Laboratory of Entomology and Applied Zoology will investigate the population development of Bruchus, Sitophilus and Tribolium in various habitats and conditions.
  • Given the fact that there are limited data for insects associated with Lupinus sp., both laboratory and field experiments will be implemented, emphasizing in chemical use avoidance (green fumigation)
  • These methods will include a) nitrogen and controlled atmospheres, b) inert materials such as diatomaceous earth and Zeolite and C) low-toxicity insecticides for humans and animals, such as the natural pyrethrum, bacterial metabolites (SPINOSAD) and growth regulators (insect growth regulators, e.g. Methoprene).