1st CHERRY TOMATO SANTORINI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Santorini island, 27-29 June 2002
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The 1st International Cherry Tomato Conference took place with great success on Santorini island, on 27-29 June 2002. The conference was organised by Heliotopos Conferences and the website www.santorini.net.
The Prefecture of the Cyclades, the Community of Ia in Santorini and the Association Cooperatives of Theraic Products were co-organisers of the conference, which was under the aegis of the Greek Tourism Organisation and the Municipality of Thira.
Scientists from Greek and foreign universities and research centres, representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and companies in the field of the agricultural economy, cherry tomato producers and well-known culinary journalists all took part in the conference.
The major sponsor of the conference was the company D. Nomikos S.A. whilst the Petros M Nomikos Foundation of Thira supported the participation of teachers and pupils from the schools of Santorini. A large number of companies from Santorini supported the participation of culinary journalists.
The communication sponsors of the conference were radio station Skai 100,3, the electronic newspaper “Agrotypos”, the magazines “Georgia kai Ktinotrofia” and “Mikres Kiklades”, and the newspaper “Thiraika Nea”.
The scientific part of the conference was made up of original presentations by Greek and foreign scientists who referred to the history, origin, description, value and development of the Santorini tomato, and also to cultivation problems and development prospects. Particular emphasis was put on the comparison of other waterless tomato varieties that are cultivated on Greek islands with large-seeded hybrids with regards mainly to certain characteristics of dietary quality. Alongside this, papers were presented on topics such as cultivation techniques, nutrition, watering and plant protection, underlining the importance and necessity of saving and preserving traditional techniques such as those adopted in the peculiar environment of the island.
Specialist scientists analysed manufacturing technology (dehydration etc.) using mild energy forms such as geothermal energy. Foreign scientists also made presentations on cultivation and prospects for the Spanish cherry tomato.
The conclusion that all speakers made was the need for a special research programme of genetic improvement with the aim of saving and promoting the locally grown variety that is in danger of extinction. At the same time, the certification and establishment procedure can begin for the Santorini tomato based on results of scientific research that has already evaluated and defined this variety.
The parallel events of the conference were of particular interest to the participants and the local community of Santorini such as the awards for the local veteran producers of cherry tomatoes, which took place during the opening ceremony of the conference lead by Mr Ilias Mamalakis, and also the competitions for the best “tomataki”, “tomatokefte” and “tomatopolto” that took place at the old tomato paste factory D. Nomikos in Vlyhada, in which local housewives and producers from the island took part. Culinary journalists participated in the judging committees of the competitions.
If you are interested in the Book of Proceedings of the conference please contact the conference secretariat at the following email address: conf@heliotopos.net or by telephone or fax (below).
HELIOTOPOS CONFERENCES
Address: Ypsilantou 28, 17236 - Dafni, Athens
Telephone: +30 210 9730697, Fax: +30 210 9767208
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