Greek agriculture embraces circular economy to turn farm waste into soil

The Greek Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food is promoting a circular‑economy model for the country's farms. The approach aims to cut waste, improve soil health, lower production costs and boost resilience to climate pressures by converting agricultural residues, pruning, green waste, livestock waste and biowaste into compost or other soil‑enhancing materials.

General Secretary Spyros Protopaltes said, “Modern agriculture can no longer be treated separately from soil, water, biodiversity, climate and food quality. The big challenge today is not only to produce more, but to produce better, with less waste, fewer inputs and greater protection of natural resources.”

The strategy is linked to a rapid expansion of organic farming, which grew from about 34,000 producers in 2020 to 119,000 in 2024. Public funding of €1.265 billion was allocated between 2017 and 2024 to support organic methods and circular‑economy practices. Ongoing actions under the Strategic Plan for Agricultural Development include investments in waste‑management tools, biogas, and energy projects on farms, as well as financial support for converting biomass into compost.

The initiative positions circular agriculture as a central pillar of Greece’s future farming policy, seeking to turn what was once a cost into a resource for more sustainable production.