From Evros to Germany
A successful co-operative, that of the asparagus growers of Nea Vyssa, exports its entire output and generates a turnover that many medium-sized businesses would envy.
Nea Vyssa, a border village of 500 inhabitants in Thrace, offers lessons in cooperation and the rural economy. Its residents have managed to come to an agreement and work together towards a common goal. They set up an asparagus growers’ co-operative, joined its ranks en masse, and embarked on the difficult and labour-intensive task of growing asparagus.
From the outset, their focus was on exports, as asparagus is not a product widely consumed in the Greek market. Today, their cooperative generates an annual turnover that even medium-sized businesses would envy. They have been so successful that they export their entire production to Germany. The residents enjoy a substantial income and the satisfaction of seeing their ‘experiment’ crowned with resounding success. A border village which, instead of following the pattern of depopulation and abandonment, through the hard work and cooperation of its residents has today managed to become a model not only for production but also for exports. ‘Gastronomos’ honoured them as a shining example to be emulated.
Nea Vyssa Asparagus Producers’ Agricultural Cooperative, Nea Vyssa, Thrace.
The award was presented by Mr Stelios Rozakis, Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics and Development at the Agricultural University.
Source: gastronomos.gr
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