From the feature story: Challenges for 2021
04.01.2021
Written by Vassilis Gounaris, Managing Director of BASF Hellas S.A.
We remain by the side of farmers despite the pandemic
The year we are leaving behind was different and is going to stay deeply etched in our memory. The unprecedented situations and the harsh changes we have experienced due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, have caused a huge impact on our economy, society, and everyday life.
At BASF we stayed 100% active, offering complete and combined solutions to farmers from seed to harvest. We have used our experience more than ever, along with technology, high quality services and of course our team, to facilitate the production process and strengthen the local market and supply chain.
As part of our effort to reduce the “distance” between us, we created a new digital platform called “STAY CONNECTED”, through which those who wished could communicate easily and directly with our team to receive advices and recommendations.
The pandemic has not stopped our efforts and plans to actively support the collective efforts of extroversion and production of quality and competitive products, that can find their place in international markets.
Specifically, we organized the 7th Greek-German e-Food Forum entitled "The pandemic crisis an opportunity to increase Greek fruit exports to Germany", along with the Greek-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Piraeus Bank, the Office of Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Greek Embassy in Berlin and Enterprise Greece. Within the framework of the e-Forum, e-meetings were held to develop new partnerships or to conclude new agreements at a commercial level between Greek producers and German buyers. From Greece participated representatives of 63 companies, who had the opportunity to present their products to eight major German companies, among which were METRO, LIDL, Efti Frucht and Expa Frucht.
For 2021 we are committed to continue standing by the Greek farmers and support them with innovative products and high – quality services, respecting the environment and sustainable practices.
The encouraging results from BASF’s “Protypous Elaiones”, an initiative to highlight the targeted, rational, and adapted to the local conditions of crop protection in farming olives, and the bottling of the first olive, confirmed that the continuation of this effort is worthwhile in 2021.
Accordingly, we will continue the program "Certified Sustainable FiberMax® with Sustainable Agricultural Practices (CSF)", aiming for the cooperating parties to meet the market requirements regarding Greek Cotton, as well as to create added value throughout the cotton production chain.
In the new year, we bring to the Greek market the fungicide Delan® Gold for arboriculture, with a specially designed formula and Revysol, a new generation azole, which is expected to receive approval in the vineyard. As well as Priaxor®, a new fungicide in cereals and the new organic fungicide Serifel® for a wide range of crops.
The next steps will also include vegetable seeds. BASF after the acquisition of 2018, acquired Bayer’s entire seed business, under the global brand of Nunhems®. Since October 2020, BASF Hellas has undertaken the distribution of Nunhems® varieties, a pilot worldwide project for BASF, enhancing the integrated solutions offered to the Greek farmer.
2021 will be another digital year for BASF. BASF’s xarvio™ Digital Farming Solutions team will continue to evolve the digital applications of xarvio™, and also design innovative digital solutions to reduce the environmental impact of agricultural activities and improve the production of high – end agricultural and food products worldwide. Finally, two new Digital Tools of BASF, AgSolutions Finder and AgAssist aspire to facilitate the daily life and the difficult work of farmers.
The feature story was published in the newspaper Ypethros Chora, p. 270 (01/01/21).
