Thessaly replaces durum wheat with a more reliable crop in Greece

Thessaly, a region in Greece, is facing a severe water shortage, forcing farmers to reconsider their crop choices. This has led to an increase in the cultivation of quinoa, a crop that requires less water and is more profitable for farmers. Quinoa is known for its ecological benefits, low production costs, and drought resistance. It also has a low glycemic index, making it popular in countries with a preference for healthy food. The crop is expected to play a significant role in achieving the EU's agri-environmental goals, as it is also being considered for use in pharmaceuticals, feed, and fertilizers.

The water shortage in Thessaly is so acute that it literally forcibly requires restructuring of the crops that are grown. For another year, the lack of rainfall has provoked farmers in the region to abandon wheat cultivation or limit it in search of an alternative. And there is one, and this is quinoa, reports the Greek website Ypaithros. Iliya Prodanov: The issue of irrigation is going through land reform Quinoa is a new crop that is entering the Thessaly plain more and more every year. Several producers, dissatisfied with the prices of cereals and legumes, are already taking up its cultivation. Among the advantages of quinoa is that it provides a guaranteed income through contract cultivation, as well as that it is an ecologically clean and peaceful crop for both the soil and the producer. In addition, it does not require much water. Prominent scientists have recently advocated for the positive prospects of quinoa cultivation in Greece. They defended the merits of the crop ...