A high-level seminar on crop cultivation and food security was successfully held at the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) on Nov. 7. The conference brought together 60 representatives from the World Peasant Association (WPA), experts and scholars from AUA, and many Greek entrepreneurs. They talked about agricultural growth and collaboration. The National Confederation of Family Farming and Rural Entrepreneurship (CONAFER Brazil) also attended as special guests.

The seminar was well presented by representatives from the Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development & Food, the Chinese Embassy in Greece and the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence. Also in attendance were Konstantinos Baginetas, Secretary General of Agricultural Policy & International Affairs of the Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development & Food; Zhang Qi, Secretary General of WPA; Spyridon Kintzios, Rector of AUA; and Zhu Zhigang, Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Greece. The conference began with an opening address by Kostas Isychos, former Deputy Minister of the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence, and was followed by a welcome speech by Prof. Spyridon Kintzios. Secretary General Konstantinos Baginetas and Counsellor Zhu Zhigang then presented statements congratulating the conference.

In his speech, Mr. Zhang Qi highlighted the crucial role of agriculture in ensuring global food security and driving human progress. He encouraged attendees to foster connections through agriculture, establish collaborative partnerships, and collectively contribute to agricultural advancement and the enhancement of peasants’ incomes. This perspective was widely endorsed by the participants.

In the lecture session, Prof. Dimitrios J. Bilalis, member of the Greek Academy of Sciences, provided a comprehensive analysis of 'Crop Systems and Safety & Secure in Greece', with a particular focus on the impact of climate change on land salinization and the associated management strategies. Meanwhile, Li Ji, Deputy Director of International Cooperation Department of WPA, discussed the importance of scientific and technological innovation in promoting agricultural cooperation between China and Greece, particularly in the field of marine biomedicine.

Prof. Petros Roussos and Assoc. Prof. Prokopios Magiatis of AUA provided in-depth analysis of olive cultivation technology, product efficacy, and the health value of polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil. Their findings give a scientific basis for expanding the scope of olive cultivation and improving peasants’ income.

Furthermore, Moschos Korasidis, General Director of the ETHEAS (the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Greece), and Tang Heng (member of WPA Youth Committee) held a detailed discussion about the future development of peasants' professional cooperatives.

During the conference, business executives from China and Greece held extensive business discussions. Representatives of Zhejiang Yunchuan Landscape Environment Construction Co., Ltd., Dongyang Rosewood International Agricultural Exchanges and other companies shared insights on topics like farming and forestry, rosewood and international trade. Representatives from BIOLAR, MARCOU and other Greek companies expressed strong desires to enhance international collaboration.

This seminar has set the ground for China and Greece to form a strong and mutually beneficial agricultural partnership. It has also helped with global food security and agricultural sustainability. As science and technology develop and international cooperation deepens, China and Greece will have more chances to work together on agriculture. China and Greece will make major contributions to world agriculture and human civilization by strengthening technical exchanges and collaboration and addressing global challenges jointly.