ECONOMY
This privileged position of the Prefecture of Serres is not only due to the large arable area and the fertility of the ground. The water surface of the Prefecture covers 170.000 square kilometers and it is used advantageously with large land reclamation works which are instrumental in the production of exquisite agricultural products, such as: tobacco; cotton; rice; sugar-beets etc. The ability of the farmers to adjust themselves quickly to improved systems of agricultural exploitation plays a very important role.
In general, the agricultural products of the Prefecture are mainly cereals, tobacco, rice, cotton, sugar-beets, pulses fruit, garden produce, small quantities of citrus fruit, oil and wine. The proprietorship regime of the arable land consists of 90% private expanses which works out to be approximately 28 square kilometers per family. The quasi-urban and agricultural population reaches 80% of the total population of the Prefecture. The ratio of the urban to the agricultural population is 0,41 compared to 1,91 which is that of the whole country. The ratio of the urban to the quasi-urban population is 1,21 compared to 5.0 for the whole country. This data shows the evasion of polarization in the urban center, the perspective of middle size built-up areas and the great importance of the agricultural built-up areas in the Prefecture.
In the Prefecture there is an interesting, dynamic Industry, which is mainly based in the area of Serres, while, lately the area of Sidirokastro has been developing. Also, interesting small industries are gradually developing in the Prefecture, in areas such as Kastanousa, Poroia, Rodolivos, Proti, Alistrati, etc.
The commercial enterprises of the Prefecture come to 4,011 and employ 6,694 people. There is a rather abundant market which is in position to satisfy the needs of the citizens in every commodity of clothing, food etc., while the number of the shops is considered to be higher than it should be. The Prefecture has limited coast lines close to Strymon's River banks, in Strymonikos Bay. The river's water creates favorable conditions, in order to have an abundant fish stock, whose exploitation takes place in the fish catching complexes that exist in N. Kerdylia. In the Prefecture, fishing takes place, firstly on the lake of Kerkini and secondly on the rivers of Strymon and Aggitis and on the irrigation ditches. The woods of the Prefecture cover an area of 820.000 square kilometers (20,7% of the total region of the Prefecture) and they are limited in the massif which surrounds the plain. Only the poplar-tree cultivations follow the levees of Strymon River to the desiccated lake of Ahinos. Living in water and aquatic woods grow in the ex-military zones of Strymon, over the bridge of Petritsi and all the great mountainous gorges, Aggitis' ravine, Aggistro's spring water etc.
We shouldn't forget to mention how important the woods are as far as animal' s pasture is concerned. The value of pasture substance comes up to twenty billion drachmas a year. The production of honey also depends upon the bees' pasture in the woods. This contribution of pasture comes up to twenty million a year. Another very important element that concerns the Prefecture's economy is the percentage of people who retire from their jobs against those who are about to get one. This percentage is a lot lower than the national one (48,1 % - 56,9%) and shows an interesting vigour about the regional job market, while more younger people take over. |
The main characteristic in the natural environment of the Prefecture of Serres is the fertile plain, which is surrounded by a forestry mountain chain. Sixty eight torrents flow into this green plain enriching it with brought substances. As a result of that this area, as seen from the agricultural point of view, belongs to the particularly agricultural parts of Greece and its contribution to the agricultural income of the country is rather important.
The Prefecture is one of the leaders in terms of cattle-breeding in the country and is the main supplier to the beef market in Athens. It produces great quantities of beef, pork and lamb meat, eggs and dairy products of high quality.
To be more specific, there is a Milk Pasteurization Industry a Sugar Industry, a Salt Industry, five Tomato - puree Industries, cheese -making, distilleries, halvah making, sausage - making, cotton gins, wood, sweets and cattle feed processing. There are also factories producing boilers, plastic - rubber, building materials, exhaust pipes, clothes and so on. The most dynamic industries however, are those of food. The export goods are mainly agricultural ones: tomato puree, rice, flour, cotton, tobacco, sugar etc.
There has been a development of 5 units which cultivate trout and their production capability amounts to 160 tons, one unit which cultivates eels in Anagennisi. The annual fish turnout amounts to 700 tons.
The woods of the Prefecture give a yield of almost 130.000 cubic meters annually. Half of the quantity mentioned above is allotted to the market through an auction process. There are fifty small and large wood industries in the Prefecture. A very important point is the cultivation of the poplar - tree which is either state or private. This cultivation takes place at Strymon's level which is the first in stretching, volume of production and wood's quality in the whole country.