For more than six decades, SEDIGEP has helped transform Sotira's PDO Kolokasi (Taro Root) from a traditional local crop into one of Cyprus' most distinctive agricultural products, supporting farmers, quality production and sustainable rural development.
In Sotira, one of Cyprus' most productive agricultural communities, farming is far more than an economic activity. It is deeply connected to the area's history, identity and way of life.
At the centre of this tradition is SEDIGEP Sotiras Ltd (Agricultural Products Marketing Cooperative), a recognised Producer Organisation that has played a leading role in supporting local growers, organising production and promoting one of the region's best-known products, Sotira PDO Kolokasi.
The organisation's journey demonstrates how cooperation, quality certification and sustainable farming can strengthen rural communities while helping local products compete in increasingly demanding markets.
As part of the Eat Wisely Cyprus project, co-funded by the European Union under the IMCAP programme and implemented by IMH, Eat Wisely spoke with Marios Panteli, President of SEDIGEP Sotiras Ltd, about the organisation's role in supporting producers, preserving traditional cultivation practices and promoting Sotira PDO Kolokasi.
A cooperative built around producers
Established in 1961, SEDIGEP has evolved from a cooperative serving potato growers into a modern Producer Organisation representing around 100 members.
Today, the organisation is responsible for collecting, grading, packing and marketing agricultural products, giving local farmers access to organised distribution channels and stronger market opportunities.
For Mario Panteli, the cooperative's role extends well beyond commercial activities.
"SEDIGEP is not simply a marketing organisation. It is the collective voice of producers who want to compete in the market with strength and dignity."
By bringing producers together under a single organisation, SEDIGEP has helped improve quality standards, strengthen bargaining power and create a more sustainable future for agriculture in the region.
A product shaped by its place of origin
Among the products represented by SEDIGEP, Sotira PDO Kolokasi holds a special place.
The heavy red soils of Sotira, combined with the area's favourable microclimate, create ideal conditions for cultivating Kolokasi, giving the product its distinctive texture, flavour and quality.
Although Kolokasi, has been cultivated in Cyprus for centuries, its production in Sotira has become closely associated with the village's agricultural heritage.
"Growing Kolokasi in Sotira is much more than farming. It is knowledge passed from one generation to the next and refined through experience," says Marios Panteli.
Today, the product's Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status formally recognises this close connection between the crop, the geographical area and the traditional know-how of local producers.
Combining tradition with modern farming
The production of Sotira PDO Kolokasi, combines generations of farming experience with modern cultivation practices.
Planting material is carefully selected from previous harvests to ensure consistency and quality, while irrigation is managed using soil analysis and modern monitoring methods to optimise water use.
Integrated crop management practices also help minimise the use of plant protection products while maintaining healthy soils and protecting the local environment.
For SEDIGEP, however, technology alone is never enough.
"Without the people who work the land, no technology can deliver the same result. Experience is part of the product itself."
This combination of traditional knowledge and scientific farming practices has helped maintain the high-quality standards expected of a PDO product while improving the sustainability of production.
From harvest to market
SEDIGEP has developed an integrated system for collecting, grading, packing and marketing Sotira PDO Kolokasi, ensuring that consumers receive a product of consistent quality while giving producers access to organised markets.
Following harvest, Kolokasi, is carefully sorted according to size and quality before being cleaned and packed under strict quality standards that preserve its freshness and distinctive characteristics.
The organisation also promotes the product through trade exhibitions, commercial partnerships and European promotional initiatives, helping raise awareness of Sotira PDO Kolokasi, both in Cyprus and abroad.
"Without collective organisation, a product loses its strength in the marketplace. Quality must reach consumers in a consistent and organised way," says Marios Panteli.
This coordinated approach has strengthened the product's commercial identity while enhancing the competitiveness of local producers.
Why PDO certification matters
The PDO status of Sotira Kolokasi, is far more than a quality label. It confirms the product's unique relationship with its geographical origin and the traditional cultivation methods that have shaped its distinctive characteristics over generations.
Recognised for its cylindrical shape, firm texture and mild, naturally sweet flavour, Sotira PDO Kolokasi, has become one of Cyprus' most distinctive agricultural products.
The certification also guarantees that only Kolokasi, produced within the designated geographical area and according to approved production specifications can carry the PDO name, protecting both consumers and local producers.
For SEDIGEP, PDO recognition provides an important competitive advantage, allowing the product to stand out in increasingly demanding domestic and international markets.
Supporting farmers through collective action
Operating as a recognised Producer Organisation, SEDIGEP provides much more than marketing services.
Its members benefit from technical guidance, access to European funding opportunities and stronger negotiating power throughout the supply chain.
At a time when rising production costs, labour shortages and international competition continue to challenge agriculture, collective organisation has become increasingly important.
"Individual producers face many challenges on their own. Together, we are stronger and better positioned to grow," says Mario Panteli.
By working collectively, producers are able to share knowledge, improve production standards and build greater resilience for the future.
The role of the Common Agricultural Policy
The development of SEDIGEP and the success of Sotira PDO Kolokasi, have been supported by the opportunities created through the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
European support has contributed to modernising grading, packing and handling facilities, improving quality management and strengthening the organisation's ability to market PDO products more effectively.
CAP has also encouraged sustainable farming practices, including efficient water management, integrated crop management and environmentally responsible production methods that help preserve soil fertility and reduce environmental impact.
By supporting Producer Organisations, quality certification and rural investment, the policy has strengthened both the competitiveness of local farmers and the long-term sustainability of agriculture in the Famagusta district.
Looking ahead
For SEDIGEP, the future of Sotira PDO Kolokasi, lies in building on its strong reputation while adapting to the evolving needs of consumers and the marketplace.
Expanding the product's presence in international markets, promoting its nutritional value and encouraging its use in modern gastronomy are key priorities for the organisation. At the same time, continued investment in sustainable cultivation practices and support for local growers remain central to its long-term strategy.
According to Mario Panteli, protecting the future of the product also means investing in the next generation of farmers and ensuring that traditional knowledge continues to be passed on.
"Our goal is not only to preserve this unique product but to create new opportunities that will encourage younger people to remain in agriculture and continue this tradition."
By combining experience with innovation, SEDIGEP aims to ensure that Sotira PDO Kolokasi, remains a competitive, high-quality product for years to come.
A product that represents a community
For the people of Sotira, Kolokasi, is much more than an agricultural product. It is part of the community's identity and a symbol of its long-standing relationship with the land.
Through the collective efforts of local producers, the support of SEDIGEP and the protection offered by PDO certification, the product has evolved from a traditional local crop into one of Cyprus' best-known agricultural products.
Its success demonstrates how cooperation, quality certification and sustainable farming can create long-term value, not only for producers, but for entire rural communities.
As agriculture continues to face new environmental and economic challenges, the experience of SEDIGEP shows that collective action, innovation and a commitment to quality remain essential for building a resilient and competitive agricultural sector.
About Eat Wisely Cyprus
This feature was produced as part of the Eat Wisely Cyprus project, co-funded by the European Union under the Information Measures Relating to the Common Agricultural Policy (IMCAP) programme and implemented by IMH.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union.
This interview first appeared in the July edition of InBusiness magazine. Click here to view it.
