The Marketing team of ena Development Consultants—Christos Pitiakoudis, Sofia Argyriadou, and Maria Karyofilaki—in the context of creating the #32 Business Story, spoke with representatives of the 6 partners of #DigiAgriFood, the first European Digital Innovation Hub in the agri-food sector in Greece.
The partners of the hub responded to a series of questions regarding the importance of digital transformation in agri-food, the technologies being utilized, the significant activities of the hub, and their roles in the project. They highlighted their commitment and enthusiasm for the initiative, as well as their expectations for the growth and future of the agri-food sector in Greece.
The #DigiAgriFood hub aims to strengthen the digital and green transformation of the entire agri-food value chain, delivering direct benefits to citizens, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the public sector. It specializes in technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Digital Skills, High-Performance Computing, Digital Transformation, and Interoperability, directly contributing to the missions and objectives of the “Digital Europe Programme 2021–2027.”
The role of ena Development Consultants, as Partner, Innovation & Communication Mediator of #DigiAgriFood, is to connect the needs of the real economy and businesses with the innovation produced by the research institutions participating in the hub, while simultaneously developing comprehensive communication strategies for the hub’s goals, activities, and achievements.
Consortium, #DigiAgriFoodled by Democritus University of Thracealso includes the University of Thessaly, the Ινστιτούτο Βιο-Οικονομίας και Αγρο-Τεχνολογίας (iBO) του Εθνικού Κέντρου Έρευνας και Τεχνολογικής Ανάπτυξης (ΕΚΕΤΑ), το Perrotis College της Αμερικανικής Γεωργικής Σχολής και η Region of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace..
Ioannis Amarantidis, Project Manager of #DigiAgriFood, shared with us the Hub’s contribution to the digital transformation of the agri-food value chain and the impact he expects the Hub and its services to have on the domestic agri-food sector.
Here’s what he told us:
Ioannis Amarantidis, Project Manager of #DigiAgriFood, shared with us the Hub’s contribution to the digital transformation of the agri-food value chain and the impact he expects the Hub and its services to have on the domestic agri-food sector.
The DigiAgriFood Hub offers a broad range of services and support to the primary sector and agri-food businesses, enhancing competitiveness, efficiency, and sustainability. Through a free service model, it promotes digitalization and the adoption of new technologies by testing them under real-life conditions.
Moreover, the Hub invests in empowering and training users, developing their skills essential for transitioning to the digital era. It also facilitates access to funding tools and networking, supporting the growth of both the primary and secondary sectors with sound business practices and targeted investments.
Additionally, DigiAgriFood acts as a bridge between research and production, enabling the discovery of new partnerships and promoting policies that support the digital transformation of the Greek economy.
The impact of the Hub on Greece’s agri-food sector can be broad and significant. Its services can drive positive changes across agricultural production, food processing, and product distribution.
By offering digital tools, farmers can monitor and optimize their crops in real time—cutting costs and increasing productivity. The use of robotic systems and automation helps reduce labor needs while improving operational efficiency. At the same time, resource optimization—such as water and fertilizers—lowers both costs and waste, and enhances environmental performance.
The Hub also supports the adoption of renewable energy sources, allowing for the real-world testing and improvement of emerging technologies. Developing digital skills contributes to improved product quality, while tracking and monitoring technologies ensure food quality and safety from farm to shelf.
Furthermore, DigiAgriFood helps farmers overcome their hesitation toward new technology, enabling them to see the real benefits in their daily work and make informed decisions about investing in new equipment.
Read the full #32 Business Story of #DigiAgriFood here.
The proposal for participation in the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) program, under the acronym #DigiAgriFood and led by Democritus University of Thrace, with the involvement of ena Development Consultants, was selected by the European Commission within the framework of the “Digital Europe 2021-2027” program. Together with 135 other candidate hubs across Europe, #DigiAgriFood will form innovation ecosystems that generate added value for all citizens in sectors such as health, rural development, and digital governance.
Through the “Digital Europe 2021-2027” program, the European Commission supports the development of the above network of ecosystems, aiming to strengthen the European Union’s capabilities in the fields of High-Performance Computing (HPC), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, advanced Digital Skills development, and the digital transformation and interoperability of Public Administration.
