Boosting our soil minerals to pep up barren land
THESSALONIKI – Two Greek research institutes will implement a new method of transforming large barren tracts of land. The Agriculture Ministry’s National Center for Agricultural Research (ETIAGE), and the Development Ministry’s Institute for Geological and Metallurgical Research (IGME) are working together to improve poor soils, bringing hope to farmers whose fields have become unproductive or have low yields. A pilot research project on acidic soils is starting soon in the Mygdonia basin, the area around the lakes of Koroneia and Volvi, northern Greece. If the program, which has been implemented in other countries, gives satisfactory results, it will be extended to other parts of Greece that face similar problems. Researchers from ETIAGE and IGME plan to make use of rocks such as dolomite which contains minerals that boost soil composition. They will also ascertain the amount of material needed and which kind of crops they are suited to. The area in question has large tracts of acidic soil which is not very productive, with very low crop output and produce quality. The two institutes responded to a recent invitation from the Lagada Union of rural cooperatives, which aims at improving poor soil and increasing productivity in the area. The agencies dealing with the problem and the institutes agreed to apply to the prefecture of the regional administration of Central Macedonia. As an ETIAGE Soil Institute representative explained to Kathimerini: «Acidic, alkaline and saline soils (usually found in coastal areas) are classified as problematic. A practice has been implemented in the past, and is still being implemented, using the pulp left over when beet root is processed. But in this case, different raw materials will be used, which are readily available at low cost in many areas (such as Valdos, Halkidiki). «The Mygdonia basin accounts for a large proportion of the prefecture of Thessaloniki’s agricultural output. In recent years, this ecosystem has deteriorated considerably as the lakes and the area around them have been damaged by two decades of over-draining and pollution. «Human activity is not usually responsible for the damage to the soil in these areas, though the use of fertilizers and other chemical preparations may play a part. The soil is generally not fertile.» Works on creating a bus lane on Vassilisis Sofias Avenue in central Athens began yesterday and will continue daily from 10:30 p. m. until 6.30 a. m. until next Friday, May 3, the Public Works Ministry said yesterday. Reflective «cats’ eyes» and street signs will be used to mark out the section of the road between Academias and Mesogeion avenues.
