Voices of AgEnRes - Interview with Spyros Fountas
In our latest instalment of the “Voices of
AgEnRes” blog series, we spotlight Spyros from the Agricultural University of Athens, who is leading Work Package 4
(WP4).
Spyros shares insights on their ambitious
efforts to reduce agriculture's dependence on mineral fertilisers and fossil fuels. This interview highlights the
significant impact these advancements will have on the farming community and the broader agricultural
ecosystem:
Interviewer: Could you briefly introduce your organisation and its role in the project?
Spyros: Yes, my organisation is the Agricultural University of Athens, the main agricultural university in Greece. We are leading Work Package 4, which focuses on the adoption of innovations brought into this project.
Interviewer: What are the main challenges you foresee in achieving the project goals, and how do you plan to address them?
Spyros: This is a very ambitious project aimed at reducing agriculture's dependence on mineral fertilisers and fossil fuels. This is a significant issue that the farming community is struggling with. We aim to develop practical and useful solutions to address these challenges.
Interviewer: How do you see the project's outcomes benefiting the agricultural communities?
Spyros: The project aims to reduce price fluctuations, which are a major challenge for both farmers and agronomists, as well as for those selling fertilizers and agrochemicals. Minimising these risks will be very beneficial for the entire farming ecosystem.
Interviewer: Are there any exciting developments or milestones you are looking forward to in the project?
Spyros: Yes, one of the exciting developments is the involvement of the SME AgroApps, which will develop a decision support system. This tool will help farmers select the best options for reducing their dependence on mineral fertilisers and fossil fuels. It's a promising and useful tool for farmers.
Interviewer: Is there any message you would like to convey to the stakeholders and the wider community about the importance of the project?
Spyros: This project is crucial for the community, as there is widespread concern about dependence on mineral fertilisers and fossil fuels, as well as price fluctuations. If we can develop tools to minimize and control these issues, it will be incredibly beneficial. We have very experienced modelers working on this project, and we expect to achieve significant results.
Interviewer: Perfect. Thank you so much.
Spyros: Thank you. Great questions.
