Training of Agronomists on Crop Protection Issues, Phytosanitary and Quality Controls, Environmental Protection and Pesticides

The programme is aimed at the participation of Agronomists of the Department of Quality and Phytosanitary Control as well as the Phytosanitary Inspectors of the Directorate. In a period of two years, the participants will visit European countries such as: Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden. There will be 5 mobility flows of 6-8 days duration and 2 participants per flow. The training will include: phytosanitary control, pesticides and quality, plant protection of important cultivations, management of used pesticide packages, environmental protection and important quarantine issues in conjunction to taking part in touristic and cultural activities.

The aims of the scheme as it concerns the agronomists are: Their skills development at organizing and implementing the controls in order to increase their effectiveness, their background and knowledge improvement as it concerns the technological advances and the implementation of innovations in plant protection and management of used pesticide packages, their contact and recognition of new diseases which have created great issues in other countries. The scheme also aims at organizing and upgrading the organization itself according to the European standards so that its functionality and effectiveness improve, improving the linguistic skills and the multicultural conscience of the participants and thus improve the cooperation abilities with colleagues from other countries with a common benefit. Also, developing extroversion through contracting friendship and cooperation relations and exchanging cultural elements between the partners, and advertising the local agricultural products and the area as a touristic destination which would contribute to the exports rise and tourism

The participants will be able to implement innovations and new technologies in plant protection and chemical waste management. They will familiarize themselves with new, pioneering control methods improving this way their effectiveness and thus contribute to consumer and environmental protection. They will improve their knowledge in recognizing quarantine diseases and thus locate them immediately before they spread and become a serious issue. The participants will also have the opportunity to improve their linguistic and communication and cooperation skills while there will be a ground for future cooperations and exchanges. They will become familiar with the culture, civilization, routine and economy of other EU countries resulting to a broader understanding and acceptance of the diversities thus strengthening European consciousness. The Region of Thessaly will therefore have the opportunity to become familiar with other organization schemes which would improve its functionality and effectiveness. The any contacts with other countries may lead to new future cooperations. Also, the exchange of experiences as it concerns the products, the natural beauties and sights of Thessaly would bring a positive impact to exports and tourism. The scheme will produce benefits both in local and regional level as well as in a national and European level.