ΠΕΡΙΕΧΟΜΕΝΑ

Presentation of the first Greek oregano variety from all medicinal and aromatic plants ‘Arethousa’ at the Agricultural University of Athens.

Date: 
Tuesday 06 May 2025

The Institute for the Study and Promotion of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (Inst. MAP) and the Office of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer of ELKE AUA "InnovinAgri" organized a conference on Thursday, April 10, 2025, held at the Library Auditorium of the Agricultural University of Athens, where the first Greek oregano variety from all MAPs, named ‘Arethousa’, was presented.

Arethousa is the result of research by the Inst. MAP, with the goal of commercial propagation through joint exploitation by the AUA and the company BIOMA – Organic Nursery.

The purpose of the event was to highlight the joint exploitation of the variety by AUA and BIOMA, as part of expanding research activity, generated knowledge, and innovation from Inst. MAP to primary production and the market.

The conference, conducted in a hybrid format (in person in the fully attended Library Auditorium of AUA and online), was attended by representatives of the public sector, the academic community (professors and researchers), members of the private sector (organizations and companies) involved in scientific and business activities related to MAPs, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Speakers referred to:

  • the process through which Arethousa was identified, evaluated, preserved, and its unique characteristics,
  • the importance of registering the variety in the National Catalogue of Cultivated Plants of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food (MinAgri) and the procedure of obtaining intellectual property rights through the CPVO (Community Plant Variety Office),
  • the objectives and rules of the joint exploitation by AUA and BIOMA – Organic Nursery.

During the Round Table discussion, statements and dialogue were held regarding the prospects of Arethousa and other MAPs in Greek entrepreneurship, with participation from the following organizations:

  • Strategic Plan Management Committee of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food (MinAgri),
  • National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (ETH.E.AS),
  • Hellenic Agricultural Organization – DEMETER,
  • Agri Diver Cluster – Innovation Cluster,
  • THESgi – Agricultural Cooperative of Thessaly,
  • ASKAFEF – Company for the production, processing and trade of MAPs,
  • El Greco – Spice Processing and Trading Company,
  • Symbeeosis – Organic Greek Products.

The event was honored by the presence of the Rectorate Authorities, the Secretary General of MinAgri Mr. K. Baginetas, the Director of the Strategic Plan Management Committee of MinAgri Mr. N. Manetas, the General Director of the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (ETH.E.AS), and the Research Committee of AUA.

The participation of AUA Professors and members of the Coordinating Council of the Institute of Plant and Agricultural Sciences (In.FAF) was significant, including Prof. G. Oikonomou (Professor of Agriculture), Prof. P. Tarantilis (Professor of Instrumental Chemical Analysis of Natural Products), and Prof. K. Tsimboukas (Professor of Agricultural Business and Farm Management).

Warm thanks, on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Inst. MAP, are extended to the Rectorate Authorities of AUA, the Research Committee – ELKE, and the Office of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer “InnovinAgri” for their support in the implementation of the conference and in the Institute’s ongoing initiatives.

Sincere thanks are also expressed to the Network and Internet Department and to ELKE of AUA for organizing the event, as well as to all members of the AUA academic community, representatives of cooperatives and organizations, and our students, for their interest and participation, both in person and online.