Evolution of Asterousia SES

Editor's note 20Mar14: Source D132-5.1.1

Based on environmental, social, economic, responses, LEDD issues, and political characteristics, the following two major states of the SES of Asteroussia Mountains have been identified.

Mediterranean semi-arid husbandry state (1950 to mid 1980s)

During this period, grazing land is managed relatively satisfactorily with low problems of soil erosion despite adverse soil topographic and climatic conditions. Decline in population is significant due to domestic and foreign outmigration. In addition ageing of the remaining population is a major problem in land management. Significant investment in infrastructure is undertaken including the expansion and modernization of the transportation network, medical facilities, dairy manufacturing, etc. Moreover, transportation by sea and air connecting Crete with Athens and other European countries is drastically improved.

These changes however do not manage retain the attractiveness of agriculture as a livelihood option. Instead, tourism development along the northern coastal, offers new jobs. Traditional land management is altered through mechanization of agriculture and intensive exploitation of natural resources. Services by the Ministry of Agriculture are improved and offered at municipality level. Wheat cultivation is replaced by new plantations of olive groves and orange trees in the lowland along the coast. The introduction of fertilizers and pesticides for crop production increase leads to soil and water pollution.
Central national programming and planning dominate, without always considering local administrative needs. Furthermore, there exist strong informal social networks that affect local planning and programming.

Subsidized husbandry state (mid 1980s to circa 2010)

This period is characterised by a stabilisation of the population as well its general ageing. EU accession greatly influences the local economy, in the first instance through the allocation of subsidies. However, although farmers' income increases, the contribution of the agricultural sector to the regional economy declines due to the continuing growth of tourism development. The expansion of the public sector provides additional and more attractive employment opportunities. New agricultural processing industries are established and new technologies are introduced in husbandry, while more recently, the presence of foreign migrants help to keep many farms active. However, the allocation of subsidies greatly affects agricultural production. Many farmers are employed part or full time in other sectors of the economy, affecting grazing land management. However, grazing of land generally intensifies as the number of grazing animals increases due to allocated subsidies. Land use change towards olives and vines plantation continues replacing annual crops. Greenhouses expand significantly in the lowland as well as in the hilly grazing areas. Organic farming starts in the 1990s.

During this period, the cumulative effects of agricultural modernisation gradually become apparent: over-exploitation of natural resources (number of animals increase, expansion of irrigation, application of fertilizers and pesticides) lead to increasing rates of soil erosion in hilly sloping areas, pollution of ground water and soil salinization of lowland areas. Environmental degradation is widespread in the broad area and major LEDD issues are raised. The period is also marked by a gradual strengthening of the local and regional government, the introduction of the first Regional Spatial Plan for Crete (2003) as well as the rise of civil society organizations, including consumer and environmental protection groups.

Semi-arid husbandry state (1950 to mid 1980s)
Subsidized husbandry state (mid 1980s to circa 2010)

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