History

The elementary agricultural research in Crete begins from Chania in 1907.

 In 1914 was established Phytopathology Station in Chania.

 In 1957 a "Specialized Agricultural Research Station" named "Institute of Olive Tree" is founded at Corfu.

 In 1959 is founded the Substation of the Institute of Olive Tree in Crete at Chania that belonged to above Institute.

 In 1961, the Substation of Chania is upgraded to Regional Research Station of Crete located at Chania.

 In 1977, the Center of Agricultural Research of Crete and Islands is founded at Chania. Thus, the agricultural research of Crete and Aegean Islands is under the scientific and administrative co-ordination of the Center, including the Institute of Subtropical Plants and Olive Trees of Chania.

 With the Law 1845 of 1989 N.AG.RE.F. is founded as legal person in private law, in which belong all the independent Centers, Institutes and Stations.

 The Institute under the pressure of the prevailing agricultural conditions in Crete is multi-sectoring developed in order to correspond to the needs and problems of island’s primary sector.

Preserved building of Prince Georgios cottage	Plate of the Station of Agricultural Research of Chania

 Purpose

The main role of the Institution is the design and execution of research, pilot programmes and demonstration projects on the problems and modernisation of the cultivation of olive and citrus tree, and subtropical plants.

A secondary role is the development of activities related to the management of soil and water resources, and problems of crops and issues of local interest like vineyards, greenhouse vegetable crops, aromatic plants, animal production etc.

 Activities

Research: With the effort of the researchers of the Institute, a number of research, pilot and demonstration projects related to olive production, citrus crops, subtropical plants, greenhouse vegetables, hydroponics, aromatic plants, food technology, irrigation, plant physiology, plant pathology, entomology, animal production etc. have been accepted. During the years 2004-2008 the Institute participated in 84 international and national projects of a total budget of 1.870.385,00 €.

Technical support: Except the research activities the Institute provides technical support to face local problems.

Educational activities: Within the framework of technology transfer and new knowledge that derives from research, conferences and educational events (seminars, conferences, symposia, meetings) are organised by the Institute, either alone or in collaboration with other institutions.

 Facilities

The Institute consists of private experimental plantations, collection of varieties of olive trees, citrus, subtropical plants and vineyards with a total area of 50 ha. Of this, 30 ha with olive grooves, citrus orchards and subtropical plant plantation is located at the main site in Agrokepion, while 10 ha with vineyards for rootstock production is at Tavronitis (20Km from Chania) and 10 ha at Fraggokastelo, Sfakion (80 Km from Chania).

Experimental work is also carried out in a number of plastic and glass greenhouses, controlled environment rooms as well as laboratories fully equipped with modern instruments.

Since 1986 the Institute is accommodated in new buildings which cover a total area of 5000 m2, of laboratories, storerooms, workshops, library and conference room with facilities for simultaneous translation. The old premises are traditional buildings, related with the history of agriculture in Crete, which are held as scheduled and restorable buildings of historical interest.

 Personnel

The personnel of the Institute consists of 50 permanent employees and approximately 10 contracted ones, number depended on the needs.

Amongst the permanent staff there are 5 researchers, 8 agronomists (2 of them with PhD), 2 technologists, 9 administrative-finance, 15 lab technicians and 3 technicians for the maintenance of the installations and the vehicles.

The contracted staff consists usually of agronomists, chemists, graduates of technological universities of various disciplines and various field technicians.

 Contribution of the Institute to the Development of Local Agriculture

During the course of its operation the Institute not only promoted the agricultural research but also contributed in the development of agriculture in the country and particularly in Crete. The contribution was very important in particular for critical problems of the main production sectors of Crete.

 Olive production

The Institute has contributed crucially and substantially to:

• Increase of olive oil production which almost tripled in the last 30 years. This was achieved due to the study and promotion of modern systems of development of the trees, varieties and pruning of renewal and production.
• Improvement of olive oil quality. Today more than 90% of the olive oil produced in Crete is of the higher classification of 'extra virgin'. The Institute in cooperation with other agricultural institutions contributed to this international vanguard. The improvement of quality was a result of study, improvement and promotion of small olive harvesting machines as well as of the evaluation and extension of new modern centrifuge type olive oil extraction systems. The fact that in Crete and other regions of Greece nowadays, the olives are harvested and crushed within 1-2 days is unique worldwide and one of the main factors for good quality.
• Increase of productivity per tree and control of alternate bearing at Crete. This was achieved mainly with the study and promotion of modern irrigation systems (today more than 40% of the olive grooves are irrigated), suitable fertilisation and control of pests, diseases and weeds.

 Citrus

The Institute supported the development of citrus crops in Southern Greece with the study and selection of the suitable rootstock and varieties for the various regions of the country. At the same time looked to produce and provide to all the nurseries of the country the essential plant material for the reconstitution of citrus orchards, scheduled and carried out from the Ministry of Agriculture from time to time. New varieties of orange (RO25) and lemon (Zambetaki) which are adapted to the conditions of the country, were created.

 Subtropical plants

The Institute promoted the avocado and kiwi cultivation in Crete. Studies are carried out on the adaptability of mango, cherimoya, date palm, loquat, litchi, pecan, cactus pear. The Institute also contributed to the development and promotion of technology (know-how) for cultivation and propagation of avocado, banana and kiwi fruit.

 Aromatic plants

The Institute promoted the study and commercial cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants through pilot trials as well as the study of characteristics, ecophysiology and performance in field of different populations of aromatic and medicinal plants of Crete.

 Vegetable crops

The Institute contributed to the introduction of new techniques such as hydroponics through the study of the performance of local materials as substrates and the development of methods adapted to the Greek conditions.

 Viticulture

The Institute supported the project of vineyard reconstitution at Crete by producing and distributing propagation material of american rootstock from the maternal plantation at the site of Tavronitis.

 Development and introduction of technologies and methods

In this area the Institute:

• Promoted the introduction and expansion of modern dripping irrigation systems and at the same time studied the water requirements of crops and applied pioneering programmes for consultative irrigation through a network of weather stations and irrigation bulletins.
• Contributed to the development and application of methods of integrated pest and disease control. Significant is the contribution in the effective control of Mediterranean fruit fly of citrus, of olive fruit fly and other pests of olive crop.
• Promoted the biological control of many pests (scales, whiteflies) with beneficial organisms, and of soilborne diseases by the use of soil solarisation.
• Contributed to the introduction of modern olive oil extraction systems and the study of the quality characteristics of olive oil.
• Promoted the application of suitable fertilisation by the study of nutrient requirements of the crops, leaf and soil analyses, and provided consultancy to other institutions and growers.
• Applied biotechnology techniques such as in vitro propagation, somatic embryogenesis, organogenesis and mikrografting for the production of plant propagation material.