Healthy ecosystems

Sustainable agriculture and its importance

Humans are dependent on intact ecosystems. It is therefore essential to practise agriculture in a way that preserves these systems. Currently, however, agriculture still often harms the soil, animals and plants and favours climate change.

Healthy agriculture: Agriculture means that humans influence their environment in order to produce food. These influences must remain healthy for both humans and nature. Healthy ecosystems start with healthy soil that is rich in carbon and life. On this soil, a dynamic coexistence of plants and animals can be cultivated, creating a resilient, productive and sustainable farming ecosystem.

Regenerative olive growing: In times of climate change, regenerative olive cultivation offers great opportunities. In many parts of Greece, however, olives are grown in monoculture. Large parts of the Peloponnese are covered with genetically identical olive trees. Pesticide-free cultivation is difficult without fertile soil, which is why regenerative approaches that promote soil health are necessary. However, there is often a lack of financial resources and expertise to implement these approaches.

Rising olive oil consumption: Global olive oil consumption is increasing, but this does not mean that sufficient financial resources are reaching the smallholder farms. Our aim is to organise olive cultivation in such a way that the ecosystems remain healthy. This work begins in the social sphere, in dialogue with local farmers. We want them to retain control over their land and realise their responsibility.

Cooperation and further training: We promote dialogue, offer support and work together to find ways to make olive growing sustainable. We use techniques from regenerative agriculture and permaculture to create sustainable cultivation systems that can be passed on to future generations.

Fair pay and prospects: To combat climate change in olive cultivation, we are committed to fair payment and sustainable wages. Long-term prospects for farmers include regular exchanges, knowledge transfer and a variety of workshop programmes to implement sustainable cultivation methods.

Soil health: The most important aspect remains the revitalisation of the soil in order to store carbon from the atmosphere in the soil through plant growth. This is a key step in combating climate change and creating a sustainable agricultural system.

Through these measures, we are helping to ensure that agriculture becomes ecologically and economically sustainable and that people can continue to benefit from the valuable functions of intact ecosystems.