Expected results

Taking into account the limited countermeasures currently available to the producer, the innovative protocol will be an alternative way of plant protection and in addition will give added value to agro-industrial residues of oregano. Such an approach is part of the basic guidelines for practicing sustainable agricultural production systems and the circular economy, as it is based on the use of practices that integrate parts of agriculture into the overall ecosystem. In total, the gross revenue of domestic tomato and eggplant production exceeds 720m euros (ELSTAT data 2017). The adoption of the protocol will bring about an increase in income by 10-20% (increase in annual gross income by 72-144 million euros).

In particular, in tomato if we assume that the adoption of the protocol rises to 5%/year, at the end of 10 years the total profit from the reduction of losses of the order of 10-20% due to aphids will range from 32,522,702 to 65,045,405 € ( annual profit 3,252,270-6,504,540 €). In organic farming the above profit values ​​are probably doubled. In eggplant, if the adoption of the practice reaches 5% of producers/year, at the end of 10 years the total profit from minimizing losses of 20-50% is predicted to be €6,982,920-17,457,300. In organic farming the above profits are doubled.

Note: the calculations were made taking into account annual losses from aphids of 10-20% in tomato and 20-50% in eggplant.