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Epirus Region is characterized by mountainous territories and lack of extensive arable plains. This constitutes a serious drawback for its agricultural sector development and the large-scale production of agricultural products. Aiming to strengthen the primary sector and increase the farmers' income, Region of Epirus has recently adopted a policy that promotes the production of high added value agricultural products and foodstuffs. Cornerstone of this policy is the strategic shift towards the production of small-scale products that display various peculiarities linking them with the production area and have been certified with a proper quality mark. In this respect, prominent role has the activity of the Directorate of Rural Economy and Veterinary Services of Ioannina of the certification of the Geographical Indication of these products with an appropriate EU Geographical Indication mark (PDO, PGI, TSG).
A typical example of this policy implementation constitutes the applied certification procedure for the “Potato of Chrysovitsa”, a village located in prefecture of Ioannina at an altitude 900 to 1400 meters above sea level. The respective application file for its certification as a protected GI product is based on the following singularities:
- Climate and Soil: both are ideal for potatoes cultivation. The climate is characterized as continental and is dominated by the presence of Aoos lake. Cold conditions are prevailing in winter, while summers are hot with intense and frequent rainfall with an annual year- average of 1,417 millimeters. In the area there is no industrial activity and are available large quantities of clean water to feed the arable lands. Thus, the soft, loamy and well-drained soil of the area is exceptionally fertile and contains large amounts of iron ensuring the uniform and crack-free development of the tubers.
- Appearance: The “Potatoes of Chrysovitsa” are characterized by their uniformity, moderate size, bright yellow color clean appearance and absence of diseases or other defects. Additional characteristics are their durability, quality and deliciousness, due to the special environmental factors of the area. Finally, these potatoes grow and ripened with a slower rate as compared to potatoes planted throughout the country, providing their cultivation product in October.
- Fame: The exceptional taste, bright yellow color and durability of “Potatoes of Chrysovitsa” are famous through numerous publications in the form of books, dissertations and internet posts.
The beneficiary stakeholders of this activity are numerous and mainly young farmers living in this mountainous area. This certification of their product is expected to improve their income and act as a catalyst supporting their choice to continue living in the area.
Finally, it must be noted that Region of Epirus finances the activity of the cerification and the respective farmers actions and through its:
Department of Tourism constantly promotes all the local agricultural products in the terms of its participation into International, European and National Food Fairs and Exhibitions,
Regional Research and Innovation Council which specifies the agrifood sector as one of the main sectors according to the National Innovation Strategy will launch specific calls dedicated to the financing of the production-promotion of local traditional products.
