Home | ICT-AGRI-FOOD ERA-Net Cofund on ICT-enabled Agri-Food Systems ICT-AGRI-FOOD Funded Projects Seminar
ICT-AGRI-FOOD ERA-Net Cofund on ICT-enabled Agri-Food Systems ICT-AGRI-FOOD Funded Projects Seminar
The ICT-AGRI-FOOD cofunded projects seminar took place from January 30th to February 1st 2024, at the Warsaw Marriott Hotel in Warsaw, Poland. The seminar was hosted by the Polish National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) as a partner of the ICT-AGRI-FOOD consortium. The seminar marked both the conclusion of the 2019 Cofunded Call projects and the commencement of the 2022 joint call projects. Over 80 participants, including representatives from ICT-AGRI-FOOD cofunded projects, researchers, policymakers, funding agencies and various initiatives, attended the seminar from the EU and beyond.
During the three-day seminar, ICT-AGRI-FOOD provided a platform for project teams to present their work and engage in discussions with experts from consulting firms, funding agencies and ministries regarding their innovation potential. This seminar not only facilitated knowledge sharing and collaboration among project teams but also fostered dialogue between academia, industry and policymakers, thereby setting the stage for future advancements in the field of agriculture and food technology.
The seminar started with opening remarks from project coordinator Johannes Pfeifer (BLE, DE), underscoring the importance of physical gatherings in fostering collaboration. Cezary Błaszczyk, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation (NCBR), welcomed attendees to Poland, highlighting the transformative dialogue between technology and agriculture and our collective role in shaping the future of ICT-enabled agrifood systems. Subsequently, Raimund Jehle, FAO Regional Programme Leader for Europe and Central Asia, delivered a keynote speech on "Harnessing Digitalization and Innovation Contributing to Food System Transformation".
Cezary Błaszczyk (NCBR), Johannes Pfeifer (BLE), Raimund Jehle (FAO) introducing the seminar
Throughout the first day 19 projects from the 2019 Call presented their innovative work, sharing results, achievements and aspirations for shaping a transformative future for ICT-enabled agrifood systems. The 2019 joint call aimed at funding research projects that would significantly contribute to enabling digital technology solutions for a transition towards more sustainable and resilient agri-food systems. Thematic areas included (1) data-driven ICT platforms and solutions to improve the sustainability of agri-food systems and (2) identifying and addressing barriers to the adoption of ICT technologies in agri-food systems.
Following the project presentations, Alexander Berlin, Startup Developer and Investment Adviser, CEO/Founder of Berlin Thinking, led a business session to empower projects in maximizing their impacts.
Alexander Berlin (Berlin Thinking) offering a Valorization Workshop to empower projects in maximizing their impacts
The second day started with reflections on ICT-AGRI-FOOD's history, achievements and pivotal moments, provided by project coordinator Johannes Pfeifer (BLE). Livia Ortolani from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (Italy) introduced the Knowledge Incubator workshop. Following this, Markus Häuser from Space Cooperative Europe delivered a presentation on the BSGN Industry Accelerator. The acceleration aims to bridge innovation to funders for space business, offering the innovations the opportunity to utilize the platform and connect with funders. Olivier Becu from the European Space Agency presented possibilities for collaboration between ESA and ICT-AGRI-FOOD since 2017, expressing further openness to sustainable use of ICT technology in space and on Earth.
Livia Ortolani (MASAF), Olivier Becu (ESA) and Markus Häuser (BSGN) during the Knowledge Incubator Workshop
The day continued with the presentation of 2022 Joint call projects cofunded by ICT-AGRI-FOOD. The 2022 Joint call aims to bring together actors from both conventional and organic food supply chains in multi-actor approach projects to support the enhancement of sustainability in farming and food production, improve traceability, empower authorities in food safety and sustainability monitoring and propose cost-effective transparency solutions aligned with legal frameworks.
During the seminars, all 26 projects had the opportunity to present project posters, providing other participants insights into methodologies, results, impacts, challenges and future activities.
In the last session of the day, Alexander Berlin continued the Business Session with project representatives providing them with ideas and skills on how to valorize innovative projects developed with the help of ICT-AGRI-FOOD. Topics included market testing, synergy pitches, successful research and funding opportunities.
Valorization session Part II: Alexander Berlin provides project representatives with ideas and skills on how to valorize their innovative projects
On the final day Ulrike Pogoda de la Vega (FZJ) led a recap session of the 2019 Call Projects, facilitating discussions among project representatives and funding agencies to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement. This was followed by a Foresight workshop led by Ulrike Pogoda de la Vega, concluding with reflections on opportunities for future development and exploring the role of ICT in supporting sustainable agriculture by 2050.
Ulrike Pogoda de la Vega (FZJ) facilitating a recap session of the 2019 Call Projects, providing a platform for discussions between project representatives and funding agencies
The seminar concluded with closing remarks from Johannes Pfeifer (BLE, DE) summarizing the seminar and looking forward to future ICT-AGRI-FOOD developments. Johannes Pfeifer thanked all participants for coming to Warsaw, and for their commitment and support to make agriculture and food systems more profitable and sustainable. It has been fruitful three days packed with science, inspiring ideas, innovation opportunities and plans for the future. He has especially thanked NCBR and the whole organization team for the very well-arranged event.
Collaborating consortium partners:
Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (EV ILVO, Belgium)
The National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR), Poland
The Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE), Germany
The ICT-AGRI-FOOD cofunded projects seminar took place from January 30th to February 1st 2024, at the Warsaw Marriott Hotel in Warsaw, Poland. The seminar was hosted by the Polish National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) as a partner of the ICT-AGRI-FOOD consortium. The seminar marked both the conclusion of the 2019 Cofunded Call projects and the commencement of the 2022 joint call projects. Over 80 participants, including representatives from ICT-AGRI-FOOD cofunded projects, researchers, policymakers, funding agencies and various initiatives, attended the seminar from the EU and beyond.
During the three-day seminar, ICT-AGRI-FOOD provided a platform for project teams to present their work and engage in discussions with experts from consulting firms, funding agencies and ministries regarding their innovation potential. This seminar not only facilitated knowledge sharing and collaboration among project teams but also fostered dialogue between academia, industry and policymakers, thereby setting the stage for future advancements in the field of agriculture and food technology.
The seminar started with opening remarks from project coordinator Johannes Pfeifer (BLE, DE), underscoring the importance of physical gatherings in fostering collaboration. Cezary Błaszczyk, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation (NCBR), welcomed attendees to Poland, highlighting the transformative dialogue between technology and agriculture and our collective role in shaping the future of ICT-enabled agrifood systems. Subsequently, Raimund Jehle, FAO Regional Programme Leader for Europe and Central Asia, delivered a keynote speech on "Harnessing Digitalization and Innovation Contributing to Food System Transformation".
Cezary Błaszczyk (NCBR), Johannes Pfeifer (BLE), Raimund Jehle (FAO) introducing the seminar
Throughout the first day 19 projects from the 2019 Call presented their innovative work, sharing results, achievements and aspirations for shaping a transformative future for ICT-enabled agrifood systems. The 2019 joint call aimed at funding research projects that would significantly contribute to enabling digital technology solutions for a transition towards more sustainable and resilient agri-food systems. Thematic areas included (1) data-driven ICT platforms and solutions to improve the sustainability of agri-food systems and (2) identifying and addressing barriers to the adoption of ICT technologies in agri-food systems.
Speakers for 2019 Call projects:
Following the project presentations, Alexander Berlin, Startup Developer and Investment Adviser, CEO/Founder of Berlin Thinking, led a business session to empower projects in maximizing their impacts.
Alexander Berlin (Berlin Thinking) offering a Valorization Workshop to empower projects in maximizing their impacts
The second day started with reflections on ICT-AGRI-FOOD's history, achievements and pivotal moments, provided by project coordinator Johannes Pfeifer (BLE). Livia Ortolani from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (Italy) introduced the Knowledge Incubator workshop. Following this, Markus Häuser from Space Cooperative Europe delivered a presentation on the BSGN Industry Accelerator. The acceleration aims to bridge innovation to funders for space business, offering the innovations the opportunity to utilize the platform and connect with funders. Olivier Becu from the European Space Agency presented possibilities for collaboration between ESA and ICT-AGRI-FOOD since 2017, expressing further openness to sustainable use of ICT technology in space and on Earth.
Livia Ortolani (MASAF), Olivier Becu (ESA) and Markus Häuser (BSGN) during the Knowledge Incubator Workshop
The day continued with the presentation of 2022 Joint call projects cofunded by ICT-AGRI-FOOD. The 2022 Joint call aims to bring together actors from both conventional and organic food supply chains in multi-actor approach projects to support the enhancement of sustainability in farming and food production, improve traceability, empower authorities in food safety and sustainability monitoring and propose cost-effective transparency solutions aligned with legal frameworks.
Speakers for 2022 Call projects:
During the seminars, all 26 projects had the opportunity to present project posters, providing other participants insights into methodologies, results, impacts, challenges and future activities.
In the last session of the day, Alexander Berlin continued the Business Session with project representatives providing them with ideas and skills on how to valorize innovative projects developed with the help of ICT-AGRI-FOOD. Topics included market testing, synergy pitches, successful research and funding opportunities.
Valorization session Part II: Alexander Berlin provides project representatives with ideas and skills on how to valorize their innovative projects
On the final day Ulrike Pogoda de la Vega (FZJ) led a recap session of the 2019 Call Projects, facilitating discussions among project representatives and funding agencies to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement. This was followed by a Foresight workshop led by Ulrike Pogoda de la Vega, concluding with reflections on opportunities for future development and exploring the role of ICT in supporting sustainable agriculture by 2050.
Ulrike Pogoda de la Vega (FZJ) facilitating a recap session of the 2019 Call Projects, providing a platform for discussions between project representatives and funding agencies
The seminar concluded with closing remarks from Johannes Pfeifer (BLE, DE) summarizing the seminar and looking forward to future ICT-AGRI-FOOD developments. Johannes Pfeifer thanked all participants for coming to Warsaw, and for their commitment and support to make agriculture and food systems more profitable and sustainable. It has been fruitful three days packed with science, inspiring ideas, innovation opportunities and plans for the future. He has especially thanked NCBR and the whole organization team for the very well-arranged event.
Collaborating consortium partners:
Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (EV ILVO, Belgium)
The National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR), Poland
The Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE), Germany
Project Management Jülich, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH (FZJ), Germany
Ministry of Agriculture (AM), Hungary
This report was written by:
Mikayel Hovhannisyan, Karima Abunada, & Marijke Hunninck - EV ILVO
13.02.2024