From Agriculture to Livestock – The Beginning
Pavlos Kargioti began his professional journey in 2005 as a farmer, cultivating potatoes on large plots of land in the Xanthi region. Through hard work and entrepreneurial spirit, he managed to establish himself in the agricultural sector, gaining valuable experience and equipment. In 2007, aiming to expand his activities and make more effective use of the available production resources he owned, he made the important decision—together with his brother—to turn to livestock farming, founding a livestock unit with the support of a funded program.
Although he had no prior experience in livestock farming, Pavlos saw it as an important business opportunity that would allow him to effectively combine his fields, machinery, and knowledge. Starting with 300 animals, he gradually managed—with patience and persistence—to increase the herd and develop his business, laying the foundations for its current form.
Subsequently, Pavlos decided to stop cultivating potatoes, as he found it was no longer economically viable. Instead, he shifted to growing animal feed, ensuring high-quality and controlled nutrition for the sheep and goats in the livestock unit. This choice contributed significantly to improving the animals' health as well as saving financial resources.
The Integration of the New Generation into the Business
Pavlos Kargioti, having successfully developed his business over the past 20 years, has already begun passing the baton to the next generation. His son, Stergios Kargioti, and daughter, Marianna Kargioti, together with her husband, Nikos Chrysonomatos, play an active role in the daily operations of the livestock unit and contribute dynamically to its development. Their presence guarantees the continuation of the business and its adaptation to the modern demands of livestock farming.
Indeed, the new generation of the family, showing the same enthusiasm for the agricultural profession, has enrolled in relevant programs and started cultivating 30 stremmas (about 7.4 acres) of hazelnut trees. This expansion creates another important pillar in the family’s agricultural venture.
The Family’s Daily Life
Daily life at the livestock unit is not easy. The day begins at 5:00 a.m., with the family arriving at the unit to start feeding the animals. This process is done using machinery, followed by milking, which takes place twice a day. The family’s children are responsible for the milking parlor, while Mr. Pavlos takes care of the crops, equipment maintenance, and any other needs of the farm. At midday, there is a short break for rest and food before the afternoon milking begins. Of course, there are other tasks carried out simultaneously, which continue until 8:30 p.m. or later, depending on the season—for example, harvesting the clover.
Marianna Kargioti, the daughter of the family, shared with us her personal experience of daily involvement in the family unit, as well as the challenges she faces in balancing her professional activity with her role as a mother:
Despite the demands of motherhood, I manage—with the help of my family—to meet both my child’s needs and my professional responsibilities. I recognize that this is not an easy job, as it requires daily presence, organization, and commitment, but I am proud to work in our own business and see my efforts bear fruit.
Modernization and Sustainability
Over the years, the Kargioti family made sure to incorporate modern technologies and equipment with the goal of reducing labor hours and increasing efficiency. The issue of labor shortage was a strong incentive for modernizing the unit, which now includes robotic feeding systems with conveyor distributors, machine-assisted lamb weaning, as well as automated processes such as food conveyor belts.
At the same time, air conditioning units have been installed in the milking and feeding areas, while the use of misting systems and fans is being considered to maintain temperature, in order to protect the animals from the increased heat experienced in recent years.
The family does not hesitate to continuously invest in new technologies that ensure the welfare of the animals and, consequently, better performance.
As part of sustainable development, a photovoltaic system has been installed to cover the energy needs of the unit and reduce costs. The modern infrastructure, combined with the family’s experience and vision, makes the unit a model for the region.
Collaboration with ena Development Consultants
The collaboration with ena Development Consultants began even before ena was officially established, when Mr. Pavlos met Dimitris Bardakidis, Co-founder & Agrifood Expert of the company, and they decided to work together on the first funded program through which he founded his business. Since then, the collaboration has continued successfully over the years, with ena supporting the development of the livestock unit and other ventures through investment plans and funding programs.
Specifically, the Kargioti family has implemented two investment projects through the Development Law (Law 3299/2004 and Law 4399/2016), covering the expansion and modernization of the unit, as well as the procurement of state-of-the-art equipment that improves the production process and the quality of the final product.
Marianna Kargioti and her husband, Nikolaos Chrysonomatos, are beneficiaries of the “New Farmers Installation” program and have joined Action 4.1.5, which supports sustainable and resilient agricultural enterprises. They are implementing investments in equipment, hazelnut planting, and photovoltaic systems. These programs are being carried out in close collaboration with the Development Consultant of the Primary Sector Department, Fanis Koutrouvelis.
The Kargioti family also maintains a steady collaboration with ena’s OSDE Department, specifically with Maria Karatzoglou, Coordinator of Advisory Services for the OSDE Sector, for the annual submission of their declarations. Additionally, their farms are enrolled in the organic scheme, confirming their commitment to sustainable and responsible production.
Future Plans
The Kargioti family has already submitted a new investment plan under Development Law 4887/2022, aiming to establish a dairy products unit, which is currently under evaluation. The goal is to vertically integrate production by creating a modern cheese factory that will utilize the excellent raw materials from the unit to produce high-quality products such as graviera and feta cheese, which will be marketed locally.
We thank Pavlos, Marianna, Stergios, and Nikos for the interesting conversation and the opportunity to learn about their daily life. Through their example, it is proven that love for one’s work and hard effort can lead to success, even in such demanding fields as livestock farming.
Participating in the #40 Business Story were Fanis Koutrouvelis, Development Consultant for the Primary Sector; Maria Karatzoglou, Coordinator of Advisory Services for the OSDE Sector; and Maria Kariofilaki, Head of the Marketing Department.
email: [email protected]
Remember Business Story #39: Dimitris Mantoudis Veterinary Clinic
Remember Business Story #38: Moschidis – Dontsos Food
Remember Business Story #37: Oenops Wines
