Constraints to Green and Digital Transition in the Greek Agri-Food Sector

The European Union's Green Deal and the United Nations' 2030 Agenda are key strategic frameworks that aim to transform all nations towards a climate-neutral continent. At the heart of achieving this ambitious goal is the need for greater policy coherence, particularly concerning the digital Green Deal. The adoption of digital technologies in green sustainability initiatives requires a comprehensive update of existing policies to properly exploit all the opportunities offered by digitalisation. This study focuses on identifying constraints to environmental and digital advancement in the agri-food sector. In particular, it examines existing policies and those that need to be implemented to facilitate the green and digital transition of agri-food enterprises. The research methodology comprises in-depth, semi-structured interviews with fifteen (15) policymakers at the national, regional, and local levels in Greece, all of whom are responsible for decision-making in the agri-food sector. The findings underline the need for a substantial reform of the current institutional framework to make it more favourable to agri-food enterprises, especially for very small enteprises and SMEs, for whom the barriers are even greater. Improving access to financial support is also highlighted as a critical need. To ensure a smooth twin transition towards environmental sustainability and digitalisation, the study advocates improving the educational background and promoting digital literacy among stakeholders. These measures are considered necessary to increase the competitiveness of agri-food enterprises in today's global landscape. The study essentially highlights the central role of a strong policy framework for the environmental and digital transition of the agri-food sector. By addressing the barriers identified in the study through the implementation of appropriate policies, agri-food entrepreneurs can adopt sustainable practices and harness the transformative potential of digital technologies.