Alternative Crops – Problems and Prospects: A Comparative Research of Landowners’ Views in the Prefectures of Rodopi and Evros

The shift towards alternative crops may comprise an efficient way for creating a new productive, developmental model for the country. These crops support the agricultural economy, contribute to the protection of the environment, keep the rural population at the countryside and increase the wealth of less favored or disadvantaged regions. In this paper, we attempt to investigate the attitudes and perceptions of landowners in the prefectures of Rodopi and Evros, regarding investments in alternative crops. The results indicate that there are no substantial variations between the two regions. More specifically, the majority of landowners wish for their area's future development to be based on agriculture and alternative crops, and in parallel want to be trained on new agricultural production methods through seminars focusing on alternative crops.