GREEK FARMING IN NATIONAL AND EUROPEAN CONTEXT: THE ROLE OF DIGITAL IN AGRICULTURE TRANSFORMATION

This work reviews the present status of the agriculture in Greece both in national and European framework. Greece is a mountainous country with the agricultural land covering almost half of the total area of the country (arable, permanent crop and pastureland). The greater part of the agricultural land belongs to Northern Greece, with the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace being one of the most fertile areas. Most of the arable land is used for the cultivation of crops mainly for human and animal consumption, followed by the area covered by permanent grasslands and crops (olives, grapes, fruit and berry trees). Based on the database of the Statistical Office of the European Union, the cereal, fodder and industrial crops are the most abundant crops that are cultivated in Greece. Additionally, grapes, raisins, fresh vegetables, aromatic, and medical plants possess an important role in the agricultural production list of the country. However, the Greek agricultural output is much lower than in other European countries. Over the last two decades the agricultural land and the production of various products is declining in Greece. Even though the whole EU confronts a similar declining trend, Greece must deal with a more serious situation. Greek farmers daily face up to economic challenges such as high taxes and the rising costs of energy, fertilizers, and other raw materials, as well as to other environmental challenges like climate fluctuations (e.g., aridity) and soil erosion. Precision farming is the solution for innovative crop cultivation, production, and management with respect to the environment. By applying high-tech techniques and climate smart practices during the agriculture procedure, the efficiency of the agricultural production would be increased, while the consumed amount of money, energy, water and fertilizers would follow the opposite direction.