Programme title: Research project for the entomological surveillance of mosquitoes in Attica Region (Athens, Greece)
Funding Source: Attica Region
Coordinator of the project: Benaki Phytopathological Institute
Funding amount: 100%
Start Date: 21/12/2023
End Date: 20/12/2026
Duration: 3 years
The project is implemented with the participation of BPI as coordinator and is 100% financed by the Attica Region. The purpose of the project, which is a continuation of the previous one between the MFI and the Region of Attica from 2020, is the continuous entomological surveillance and research in the Region of Attica, to produce reliable and useful data, which will continue to be immediately available to the agencies involved in mosquito management. In this program, which is one of the largest in Europe, the implementation of surveillance protocols for all mosquito species of health importance on a permanent basis is an example of good entomological surveillance practice. Since the fluctuation of mosquito populations is dynamic and varies from year to year, the continuation of the program offers the continuous entomological surveillance that is the cornerstone for the implementation of a comprehensive control program. The program fully meets the requirements of the Circular issued every year by the Ministry of Health, regarding the proper planning of mosquito control programs, where emphasis is placed on the collection and evaluation of all entomological and epidemiological surveillance data concerning the transmitters and the diseases they transmit. It also fully complies with the goals set both through the World Health Organization and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), marking it as one of the most important good practice programs for all of Europe
Website: https://www.conops.gr/diadiktiaki-pulh/

Participants:  -
Project Manager BPI: Dr Antonios Michaelakis

Programme title: Innovative solutions for the sustainable and environmentally friendly plant protection of fruit and vegetable crops in Greece, in future Europe
Funding Source: General Secretariat for Research and Innovation (GSRI)
Coordinator of the project: Agricultural University of Athens
Funding amount: 100%
Start Date: 15/5/2023
End Date: 14/9/2025
Duration: 2 years & 4 months
The project is implemented with the participation of BPI as partner and is 100% financed by the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation (GSRI). The purpose of the project is to develop modern technology, products and phytosanitary strategies for sustainable crop production and also urgent alternatives for major plant protection issues. The project is about the development of modern methods and innovative products, for the plant protection of fruit and vegetables, specifically for the main exportable products of Greece with an emphasis on entomological enemies and the diseases that transmit them.
It includes seven Work Packages as described below:
Work Package 1: Development of modern molecular diagnostic methods for the identification of enemies and diseases.
Work Package 2: Development of predictive models, technologies and strategies to predict enemy and disease phenology.
Work Package 3: Development and testing of innovative plant protection solutions, such as Biostimulants – bioactive plant resistance development molecules, new generation attractants and repellants.
Work Package 4: Development of improved products for biological control, utilization of wild native plants of the Mediterranean to enhance ecosystem services for pest management through biological control and enhancement of parasitoid action using kairomones.
Work Package 5: Development of precision applications for plant protection and intelligent databases for optimal management of plant protection.
Work Package 6: Pilot implementation of innovative products and methodologies will be included in field experiments.
Work Package 7: Implementation of actions to assess the acceptance of new technologies by those involved in plant protection in Greece.
Website: https://www.kainotomosfytoprostasia.gr/index.php/el/

Participants:  Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Benaki Phytopayhological Institute
Democritus University of Thrace
Hellenic Agricultural Organization - DIMITRA
Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH)
Hellenic Mediterranean University
Project Manager BPI: Dr Panagiotis Milonas

Programme title: Biological Control of the quarantine pest Aleurocanthus spiniferus
Funding Source: Ministry of Rural Development and Food
Coordinator of the project: Benaki Phytopathological Institute
Funding amount: 100%
Start Date: 1/3/2022
End Date: 31/12/2026
Duration: 4 years & 10 months
The project is implemented with the participation of BPI as co-coordinator and it is 100% financed by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food. The purpose of the project is to limit the spread and manage the orange spiny whitefly of citrus fruits through the introduction and release of parasitoid insect species in areas of the countries where the presence of the whitefly has been established with the ultimate goal of establishing natural enemies that will control the populations of the whitefly.
Website: -

Participants:  -
Project Manager BPI: Dr Panagiotis Milonas

Programme title: Survey and monitoring of the populations of the harmful organism Spodoptera frugiperda in the demarcated areas of the Greek territory
Funding Source: Ministry of Rural Development and Food
Coordinator of the project: Benaki Phytopathological Institute
Funding amount: 100%
Start Date: 5/2024
End Date: -
Duration: : 1 year
The project with acronym «FAW_Surveys» is implemented by BPI and is 100% financed by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food. The project aims to prevent further spread of the harmful organism Spodoptera frugiptera in the territory of Greece, through the development of a monitoring network of the population of the harmful organism in the demarcated areas in accordance with article 7 of the EU Regulation 2023/113
Website: https://spodoptera.bpi.gr/

Participants:  -
Project Manager BPI: Dr Dimitrios Papachristos

Programme title: Investigation of the etiology of the intense deformation of peach fruits in Pella and provision of instructions for its treatment
Funding Source: Ministry of Rural Development and Food
Coordinator of the project: Benaki Phytopathological Institute
Funding amount: 100%
Start Date: 24/10/2024
End Date: 23/10/2028
Duration: 4 years
The project with acronym «Peach Deformation» is implemented by BPI and it is 100% financed by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food. The objective of the project is to investigate the exact etiology of the new problem of the deformation of the peach fruits with new technologies and in-depth plant analysis, in order to identify the cause and give the exact treatment instructions not only to the producers of the Pella Regional Unit where the problem started but also in other areas where it has appeared. At the same time, the spread of the problem to new areas is expected to be stopped
Website: -
Participants:  Hellenic Agricultural Organization - DIMITRA Department of Deciduous Fruit Trees (DDFT)
Rural Economy and Veterinary Directorate of the Regional Unit of Pella
Project Manager BPI: Dr Christina Varveri