Ground broken for new Mediterranean crops development centre
Koper, 22 November - The Science and Research Centre (ZRS) Koper broke ground on Friday on the Competence Centre for Olives and other Mediterranean Crops, a EUR 4.5 million project that is to be completed in two years.
Plavje
Ground is broken on the Competence Centre for Olives and other Mediterranean Crops.
Photo: Matej Arh/STA
Plavje
Ground is broken on the Competence Centre for Olives and other Mediterranean Crops.
Photo: Matej Arh/STA
Plavje
Ground is broken on the Competence Centre for Olives and other Mediterranean Crops.
Photo: Matej Arh/STA
Plavje
Ground is broken on the Competence Centre for Olives and other Mediterranean Crops.
Photo: Matej Arh/STA
Located in the village of Plavje, a few kilometres northeast of Koper, the centre will house the Oliveculture Institute Laboratory, as well as the Institute of Viticulture and Wine Production.
The centre will focus on development of biological technologies, climate change adaptation and circular economy, ZRS Koper director Rado Pišot told the STA at the groundbreaking ceremony.
ZRS Koper is comprised of ten institutes and infrastructure units, employing nearly 150 researchers and other experts.
The majority of the funds for the new centre has been provided by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.
Minister Igor Papič addressed the event, saying that Slovenia would need some EUR 2 billion to address the demands in higher education and science.
This estimate includes investments in buildings and potential new equipment, he later elaborated for the press. Papič estimates that such an investment cycle could be carried out in ten years.