17.3.2
SDG 2 – Zero Hunger
The School of Agricultural Sciences is central to UTH’s contribution to food security and sustainable agriculture. Its programmes cover crop production, animal science, soil science and agrifood economics, offering both theoretical and practical training in sustainable farming, climate-resilient agriculture and responsible use of inputs in a region that is one of Greece’s main agricultural hubs.
The Horticultural and Soil Resources Laboratory (HORTLAB) promotes sustainable cultivation practices, precision agriculture and innovative tree-crop systems. It explicitly situates its mission within sustainable development and the circular economy, focusing on sustainable fertilisation, soil health, and the development of high-value horticultural systems, while providing advisory and analytical services to farmers and producer organisations in Thessaly.
At European level, UTH participates in NEXOGENESIS, which uses advanced modelling and AI to design integrated water–energy–food–ecosystem policies. In the Nestos River Basin case study, led by UTH, the project explores how to balance irrigation needs, agricultural productivity and ecosystem protection—directly informing strategies that secure food production while safeguarding water resources and biodiversity under climate stress.