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Gerasimos Karantinos

BioNet West Hellas

Hi, I'm Gerasimos Karantinos and together with 26 other growers we cultivate organic kiwi's, oranges, grapefruits and other citrus fruits in Greece.

I am the founder and president of BioNet West Hellas, an association of organic growers in western Greece. Most of our growers are located in the provinces of Aetolia-Acarnania on the north side of the Gulf of Corinth and Achaea and Ilia on the south side. Like most of Greece, western Greece is a mountainous region, but it enjoys an abundance of rivers, lakes and other wetlands. I hope you enjoy our fruit!

The area is known for a typical Mediterranean climate - with hot summers and mild winters - which makes it ideal for the cultivation of citrus fruit. In its different soil types and micro-climates, other crops such as olive, kiwi, tomatoes, melon and, of course, Greek honey and wine are grown with equal success. We employ seven trained agronomists who assist our growers with organic practices.

Most of our growers operate small farms of between 5 and 25 hectares. Many of them changed to organic agriculture methods in the 1990’s when BioNet West Hellas was founded. Since citrus fruit is an important export crop, packing and shipping facilities were established in the port town of Patra, less than an hour away from the associated growers. The region is interspersed with rugged mountain ranges and extended natural forests which provide shelter for several species of rare birds and mammals.

About taste and quality:
"Our oranges, after collection, are washed with pure water only and dried with air. We don't spray any chemicals on them so they are safe to eat including the peel! You can definitely use them for baby food, if you like."

Interview with Gerasimos Karantinos

N&M: What motivated you to set up BioNet West Hellas in 1998?
Gerasimos: When chemical agricultural production finally reached western Greece in the 1980’s, many growers adopted this “new approach” to farming. The result was the reckless use of pesticides in the 1990’s and many illnesses and even some deaths. We also noticed that the chemical runoff from farms did devastating damage to our beautiful lakes, rivers and the aquifer which meant that the groundwater was no longer safe to drink in some instances. Growers realized that something had to change but did not want to go back to the old methods. That was when we started doing our research and conducting workshops and seminars about organic farming. That led to the establishment of BioNet West Hellas. The fact that we have since grown into such a large organization shows that we are indeed responding to an important need.

N&M: What does organic farming mean to you personally?
Gerasimos: To me it means the respect and protection of both the environment and people. Both need to remain healthy. Organic farming is an attitude, a way of approaching your fellow man and the environment in an open, friendly and collaborative manner. I do not assume that nature only exists to satisfy the desires of the human race. I consider myself a steward of the land, which means that I have a responsibility to farm it sustainably for generations to come. The environment in which we live represents a natural-cultural unit within which we work.

N&M: How does this manifest in practice?
Gerasimos: Very simple: Our region is hardly suitable to large-scale commercial farming. As a result most of our members are small-scale operators. They cultivate soil and even vine stocks and trees that have been in the family for several generations. Some were chosen according to the families’ preferences; others over the years have been adapted to their soil type and climate conditions. Our growers frequently integrate animals as an important element of organic farming. Thus it is not unusual to see sheep and chickens grazing in the orchards. They keep weeds in check and control undesirable insects and other pests.

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soil

Organic regulation prohibits us from using chemical fertilisers. That means we have to use other more natural methods. Instead of feeding the trees we enrich the soil from which the trees can subsequently feed themselves through the roots. At Bio Net West Hellas we use a combination of methods to achieve this. We use for example, green manure crop: every autumn we sow seeds with various green crops like Tare and Oat. In spring when the trees begin to blossom we cut the vegetation and leave it on the ground as mulch. This helps to enhance the nitrogen, phosphor and otassium levels of the soil. Apart from green manure we also make our own compost which is centrally produced and distributed to our growers. For the compost production we use discarded citrus fruits, tree clippings and manure.

biodiversity

Around the farms, several wild patches of ground can be found. This is not only positive news for the local flora and fauna but also ensures that beneficial insects and birds can be found in and around the orchard. Larger farms maintain “islands of wild grasses” for exactly the same reason. Honey bees can bee found everywhere; they thrive in these organic orchards. Apart from the wild fauna, many of the farms have cows, sheep or pigs, which help to create a balanced environment and closed nutrient cycles.

Healthy plants and trees provide delicious healthy fruits. Our members are therefore constantly looking after the trees by ensuring the light and airflow is optimal and that harmful insects and diseases do not get a chance. Most important however is a healthy nutrient rich soil which enables the trees to look after themselves. Around the orchards, many wild patches of nature can be found. The farmers leave the wild grasses and vegetation to florish here, increasing flora biodiversity.

society

The basic philosophy that drives Bio Net West Hellas is the love for the environment and the human being. We therefore not only focus on informing and educating our members but also the population in this part of Greece. By selling Greek organic fruit and improving the income of our growers, our members are receiving the respect they deserve and people are more open to organic agricultural methods.

In the past this region has been negatively affected by the use of chemical fertilisers. Many farmers have died through cancer and other illnesses caused (in)directly by the frequent use of such chemicals. Since more and more growers are converting to organics or are using organic fertilisers fewer farmers and farm workers are suffering. Furthermore, there is more respect for nature and the natural environment and that is also beneficial for everyone that lives here.

Most of the work on the farms is conducted by the farmers themselves and there families. Seasonal workers (for picking and packing) receive a wage in accordance with national law.

climate

Mother Nature provides the “energy” needed to grow our organic oranges, mandarins and grapefruits. Once the fruit has been picked however, it needs to be cooled and packed to ensure the quality remains excellent. For the packing and cooling we use solar energy. The southern side of the packing house roof in covered by photovoltaic panels (1.000 m2) which produce around 180.000 KWH of electric energy annually, covering the energy needs to a large degree.

Apart from not using chemical pesticides and fertilisers (the production of which causes significant CO2 output) many members of BIO NET WEST HELLAS organic farms have been installed solar panels and small wind generators which provides a big part of their annual needs in energy. The packing house is powered with green electricity for a major part. In this way we reduce fossil fuel use and carbon emissions. Our modern compost production also contributes to reducing carbon emissions and increasing carbon sequestration.

water

Our members are using drip irrigation: “watering with drops”. This helps to ensure that waste of water is kept to a minimum.

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What are typical dates for

Submitted by Anita Kirkland ... on 8 June 2021 - 7:49am

Country:

USA

What are typical dates for orange blossoming and fruit ripening? We visited long ago and stayed near an orange orchard, I think in mid-to-late May. I want to do that again next year!

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Dear Sir/Madam

Submitted by Lydienne Carel Fotso on 5 March 2022 - 1:35pm

Country:

Cameroon

Dear Sir/Madam

we are interested in your products
Kindly get back to us with more details
Best regards
L Carel Fotso
A-Trades Global
Whatsapp: +237 659145961
Email: carelllydie@gmail.com

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Gerasimos Karantinos

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