Partner 9 - National Agricultural Research Foundation (N.A.G.R.E.F.), Institute of Iraklio, Dept. of Water Sci. and Envir, Athens, Greece
The National Agricultural Research Foundation (N.AG.RE.F.) is the national body of agricultural research and technology in Hellas and functions as a private entity of the wider public sector, supervised by the Hellenic Ministry of Agriculture. The foundation is not only in charge of undertaking agricultural research for the development of technology and know-how, but it is also responsible to forward recommendations to the Ministry of Agriculture regarding solutions to various agricultural problems. The Foundation is the largest research organisation in Hellas.
Undoubtedly, the basic objective is the production of competitive agricultural products of excellent quality, produced via environmentally friendly processes. The development of a wider framework of collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, educational and other research Institutions, the private sector and international Institutions and Organisations is promoted, thus aiming at the establishment of a well-planned and concerted Research and Technological Activity. N.AG.RE.F. will greatly contribute to the achievement of national strategic objectives, such as the development of the National Agricultural Economy within the framework of international labour division, on the basis of the triptych Organisation, Planning, and Coordination.
The National Agricultural Research Foundation is in close cooperation with the European Union, participating in a lot of specific research programmes such as FAIR, BIOTECH, INCO-DC, INCO-COPERNICUS, ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE, etc. In addition, a significant number of its researchers participate actively in several scientific committees such as CREST, SCAR, EURAGRI, determining together with other countries future research priorities of the E.U. N.AG.RE.F. also collaborates with foreign national organisations on bilateral basis and funds research and development projects of mutual interest, aiming at: a) exchange of information, data, raw material and germplasm b) provision of technical and scientific expertise c) scientific exchange of researchers and experts. Finally, N.AG.RE.F. collaborates with national and international organisations (FAO, OECD, etc.), research organisations (INRA, CEMAGREF, DLO, etc.), Universities and private enterprises with a view to developing scientific links in agricultural research and development.
Having as its aim the integrated confrontation of agricultural problems into the context of the National Agricultural Policy and in harmonisation with the CAP of the European Union, N.AG.RE.F. has developed research activities in various fields such as in a) Plant production, b) Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, c) Fish Production and Aquaculture, d) Forestry, Sylviculture, e) Agricultural Biotechnology, f) Food Science and Technology, g) Soil Science and Land Reclamation, (i) Farm Machinery and Structures, (ii) Renewable Energy Resources, (iii) Rural Development, (iv) Environment and Environmental Protection, and (v) Water Resources Management, and (h) Marketing and Management of Agricultural Products. It is obvious that N.AG.RE.F. has the potential to participate in a diversity of research projects and collaborate with a variety of research units all over the world covering all the issues of the agricultural sector.
The Foundation is engaged in agricultural advisory activities and studies having thus a decisive role in the dissemination of research results to the industry, agricultural cooperatives and other enterprises, not only in Hellas but in other countries as well. In addition, it has the flexibility to undertake external consultancy services in a lot of programmes for developing countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia and elsewhere. Also, the Foundation offers specialised services in the free market on a competitive basis in various fields.
N.AG.RE.F. contributes to the development of new research manpower with elaboration of post-graduate and Ph.D. thesis carried out in its Institutes throughout the country in collaboration with Universities. It also receives foreign scientists within the context of bilateral co-operation programmes as visiting researchers to carry out research work in its Institutes. Special consideration is given to the training of the existing researchers abroad in new techniques and fields of specialisation with the provision of research grants from International Organisations such as the European Union, OECD, Fulbright Foundation, NATO, Royal Society, C.N.R.S., etc. N.AG.RE.F. also participates in training programmes funded by the European Union (Leonardo da Vinci, Adapt etc.)
Related Projects
Various sections in some Institutes are in charge of undertaking research for developing technology and know-how related to water resources and environment. In N.AG.RE.F (Institute of Iraklio) several projects which are in progress, are related to that area, such as the following EU sponsored projects:
- EU-93 AVI 076 "Integrated Management of Reclaimed Water Resources in the Mediterranean Region", 1994-1998, budget 60,000 Euros.
- EU-ΕΡΕΤ. "Reclamation and Reuse Wastewater", 1995-1998, budget 3,147,000 Euros.
- EU-LEONARDO "Development of Translational Pilot project Supporting Vocational Training on Advanced Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technologies, 1997-2000, budget 30,000 Euros.
- EU-INCO DC "Sustainability and Optimization of Treatment and Reuse of Wastewater in Agriculture". Period 1998-2001. Budget 81,600 Euros.
- EU-INCO MED. Development of Cost-effective Reclamation Technologies for Domestic Wastewater and the Appropriate Agriculture Use under Semi-arid conditions. Period 1999-2003. Budget 128,400 Euros.
Role of partner
Partner NAGREF will be in charge of the research related to Climatic change and water supply in the island of Crete, Greece (WP 9)
Scientific Personnel Involved:
Dr. A. Angelakis
Adjunct Research, Supervisor
Mr. A. Lyrintzis
MA in Archaeology, PhD student. His work includes the collection, organization and composition of the archaeological data concerning the Water and Wastewater Management in Ancient Crete
Dr. N. Paranychianakis
Post-doctoral Researcher
Dr. Κ. Tsagarakis
Post-doctoral Researcher
Mr. V. Tzanakakis
PhD Student
