Educating farmers on the safe use of plant protection products, new spraying equipment and personal protection equipment.
The Hellenic Plant Protection Association (E.SY.F.) is continuing to implement the “Initiative on the Safe Use of Plant Protection Products” pilot programme established in Crete in 2005. This programme enhances environmental safety and human health by promoting and supporting practices, systems and tools that contribute to the sustainable use of plant protection products.
The education of farmers continues through the official organisation for agricultural vocational education, training and employment (O.G.E.E.K.A Ð Demetra) in matters of safe use of plant protection products in combination with new spraying equipment and correct choice, use and maintenance of personal protection equipment. The E.SY.F. also provides educators with valuable printed and audiovisual material for all aspects of education.
The E.SY.F. has been responsible for the creation of three model greenhouse training units at the Messara agricultural school, the National Agricultural Research Foundation in Lerapetra and at the Mediterranean Agronomy Institute in Chania, where practical training of farmers is carried out.
In the future, the initiative will aim to further promote new personal protection equipment based on European standards and new spraying equipment aimed at reducing the exposure of spray operators to plant protection products and to extend the programme in agricultural regions throughout the country, starting with Viotia and Korinthos.