On 26 November 2025, AUA ( Agricultural University of Athens) organized a Regional Focus Group meeting, demo day, and field visit in Polyrrhenia, Chania (Crete, Greece). The event brought together 54 participants from diverse professional backgrounds, including farmers, agricultural engineers, educators, SMEs, local authorities, and agronomy students from the 1st Vocational Upper Secondary School of Chania.
Collaboration with DE.DI.SA. S.A
The organization is DE.DI.SA. S.A. is a publicly owned regional organization responsible for solid waste management and recycling in the Prefecture of Chania. Within the WaterMellon project, DE.DI.SA. supported the implementation of the field experiment by providing high-quality compost and mulch free of charge, which were applied in the carob experimental field in Polyrrhenia. This collaboration demonstrates how recycled organic materials can support soil improvement and circular economy practices in agriculture.
Key findings
Although agriculture in Crete remains largely male-dominated, 36.4% of participants were women, indicating a steadily increasing female presence in farming and agri-technology.
Participants also confirmed that drought and rising production costs are among the most significant challenges facing agriculture in the region. Most respondents reported experiencing yield reductions due to drought, underlining the need for water-efficient cultivation strategies.
Highlights
The event, demo day, and training field activity successfully promoted resilient and sustainable farming practices tailored to the local conditions of Crete. Through practical demonstrations, interactive discussions, and the dissemination of targeted educational material, participants gained hands-on exposure to precision agriculture approaches, soil enhancement techniques, and the potential of drought-tolerant crops within climate-smart farming systems. Through continued field demonstrations and training activities, the WaterMellon project aims to strengthen sustainable and innovative farming practices across Mediterranean dryland regions.