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Initiative

GAIA project is a DELTA DAIRY initiative for the Sustainable Development

GAIA project is a DELTA DAIRY initiative for the Sustainable Development
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DELTA FOODS S.A.

DELTA, founded in 1952, the leading dairy company in Greece, is a subsidiary of Vivartia, member of Marfin Investment Group (MIG). DELTA produces milk, yoghurt, PDO cheeses, as well as juice and energy drinks and iced tea. 

 

Read more: www.vivartia.com


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Objective Action

DELTA is a company with long lasting activity in Greek milk production. Within an economically challenging environment, the need to restore the negative trade balance concerning milk production in the country is decisive. Aiming to reduce production costs and improve the competitiveness of Greek dairy products, DELTA operates responsibly by developing GAIA project to support the Greek dairy farmers and improve their competitiveness through sustainable development. 

 

Target Audience

GAIA project focuses on the Greek dairy farmer, maintaining a relationship of trust built over the past decades.  Being the largest cow milk purchaser in Greece (absorbing more than 25% of domestic milk production) and having contributed decisively to cattle and dairy development in the country, DELTA implements such a wide program, utilizing its available manpower and facilities nationwide. The program also addresses to farmers who produce feed crops. 

Alongside, through wider communication activities, including participation in agricultural conferences and events, the program aims to motivate everyone involved in the milk supply chain, in order to multiply the benefits.

 

 

Duration

GAIA project is an ongoing project started in 2012.


Description

GAIA project takes direct actions at 3 levels:  
I. Applied Research & Development, contributed by the Laboratory of Nutrition Physiology and Feeding of the Agricultural University of Athens and the Research Institute of Animal Science in Giannitsa, on issues which can  promote significantly sustainability of livestock farming. Thus, pilot alternative forage crops are cultivated, such as cereal – legume intercrops (vetch-barley, pea-oat, etc) and innovative ones such as sorghum, Quinoa, etc. The quantitative and qualitative characteristics of these crops produced under different combinations and conditions are studied. Moreover, these forages are fed to dairy animals in balanced diets and feeding costs are evaluated. It is demonstrated that legumes can efficiently replace conventional protein feeds, often οf higher cost, while improving environmental friendliness.

 Legume crops contributes to a sustainable agriculture, by: 

  • soil improvement through nitrogen fixation, limiting the use of fertilizers 
  • fields utilization through winter-time, when irrigation needs are low 
  • use of non-irrigated and low fertility fields 
  • rotation cropping system. 

 Thus, the domestic land is utilized for Greek feed production. 

II. Dairy Farmers Training: for the diffusion of technical knowledge 
The purpose of education is the diffusion of advances in scientific and technical knowledge. As a consequence, dairy farmers reduce feeding costs (amounting in 50-70% of the total milk production costs), through a) good agricultural practices implementation, b) the selection of yielding crops for animal feed and c) their efficient incorporation in animal feeding. To this direction DELTA organizes seminars for the farmers, throughout Greece, where experienced scientists provide advice to improve Farm Management. 

 III. Farm Advisory Program: provision of technical support to the dairy farmers 
 In this program, the Agricultural University of Athens with the assistance of specialized milk collection zone personnel of DELTA, collect detailed information regarding nutrition, breeding etc. for each farm participating in the program.  After the data is analyzed, a guiding report is offered to the dairy farmer. As a result, a direct and practical benefit is achieved for the farmer while his awareness of the production of high milk quality is increased.

More information: http://gaiaproject.vivartia.com


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Impact on Society

Till today: 

  •  2 collaborations with academic and research institutions 
  •  4  publications concerning research programs (2012-2015) 
  •  5 research programs in progress (2016) 
  •  16 seminars (2012 to 2016) with the participation of more than 1,100 farmers 
  •  16 participations to scientific conferences and other similar events

 



Initiative Location

GAIA project is implemented nationwide from Thrace to the Peloponnese, in the areas where DELTA’s activity in milk collection is carried on.  


Working with Organization

DELTA maintains a long - term collaboration with the Laboratory of Nutrition Physiology and Feeding at the Agricultural University of Athens in an attempt to bridge Academic knowledge with agricultural practice. Recently, DELTA launched a new collaboration with the Research Institute of Animal Science at Giannitsa of the Hellenic Agricultural Organization “DEMETRA”. 


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Workers Participation

GAIA project is organized and implemented with the contribution of more than 20 DELTA employees, mainly from Milk Collection Zone department. Experienced and qualified staff (veterinarians, agronomists, etc.), systematically provide technical support to dairy farmers and encourage the implementation of viable practices, for the continuous improvement of milk quality and animal productivity. 

Moreover, stakeholders (agricultural and veterinary officials, scientists and professionals from industry and Universities) are involved in specific activities, as speakers in training sessions e.t.c.

 


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Benefits for Οrganization

GAIA project proves the strong commitment of DELTA to contribute to the sustainable development of Greek dairy farming, by supporting:

  • the production of Greek, high quality feed, by using environmentally friendly crops of reduced cost 
  • the reduction of milk production cost and the strengthening of milk production competitiveness 
  • the improvement of milk production conditions and  of milk quality

 




Connection with Global Goals



No Connection with Global Goals found




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