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Regenerative agriculture meets tourism on Rhodes
Tatjana PetersThe activities and findings from the joint project with the TUI Care Foundation and the local partner Sustainable Food Destination Organization on Crete have also been implemented on Rhodes since last year. The aim is to support farmers in converting to regenerative agricultural practices and to establish a close link with local food production and the tourism industry.
Implemented and planned activities
In 2023, partnerships were established with 15 farmers, five food producers, five hotels and one restaurant on Rhodes. These partners are actively involved in the innovative project and contribute to the promotion of sustainable and regenerative practices.
In 2024, two training sessions on regenerative farming methods were held for the farmers involved. After initial skepticism, interest in sustainable practices is growing. Initial successes, such as the use of natural fertilizers and the avoidance of intensive soil cultivation, have motivated those involved.
The products grown, including cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkins, avocados, melons, pomegranates, grapes, olives and cereals, are selected in consultation with the participating hotels and their requirements.
Further training courses and field visits are planned for 2025. Farmers will receive practical instructions, for example on how best to prune plants to ensure protection from excessive sunlight while promoting healthy growth. The food producers also benefit from workshops in which they learn how to establish regenerative supply chains and how to process local products sustainably.
Networking with the tourism industry
A central component of the project is the networking of farmers and producers with the participating hotels and the restaurant. They source the regeneratively grown products, process them into creative dishes and present them to guests at tasting events.
Added value for climate protection and the region
As part of the project, participating food producers and hotels are offered workshops on the carbon footprint of food. The aim is to reduce CO₂ emissions along the agricultural value chain and further promote sustainable practices.
The project not only raises awareness of regenerative agricultural products among locals and tourists, but also opens up new income opportunities for small farmers and food producers. In this way, TUI Field to Fork Rhodes is actively contributing to a more sustainable and economically stronger future for the region.
