Ongoing projects

da Giuseppe de Santis | Nov 29, 2017 | Uncategorised

• Horizon 2020: LIVESEED “Improve performance of organic agriculture by boosting organic seed and plant breeding efforts across Europe” (ref. 727230-2) 2017-2021 – LIVESEED aims to improve the performance and competitiveness of the organic sector by boosting organic seed and plant breeding efforts. The main outcome will be an improved breeding efficiency and a greater choice and uptake of organic seed derived from resilient cultivars to optimize organic and low-input agriculture and strengthen sustainable food production in Europe.
• EIP-AGRI at national level: CEREALI RESILIENTI (ref. 67/2016) 2017 € 50.000 – building of an Operational Group to evaluate the feasibility of a local seed company selling cereals populations in the framework of the EU decision n°1681/2014.
• Horizon 2020: CERERE “CEreal REnaissance in Rural Europe: embedding diversity in organic and low-input food systems” (ref. 727848) 2016-2019  – By creating a solid multi-actor network among researchers and communities of practice, and focusing on cereals as cornerstones of European agriculture, culture and diets, CERERE will facilitate exchange and integration of scientific as well as practical knowledge on how to best manage diversity in all steps of cereal food systems, from seed to fork.
• Horizon 2020: DIVERSIFOOD “Embedded crop diversity and networking for local high quality food systems” (ref. 633571) 2015-2019 € – the DIVERSIFOOD project will evaluate and enrich the diversity of cultivated plants (species, inter-varietal and intra-varietal diversity) in agriculture and forestry within agroecosystems so as to increase the performance and resilience of those systems while simultaneously increasing the range and quality of the produce. Using specific, relevant cases, the project will strengthen the “food culture” so as to bring producers scientists, processors, traders and consumers closer together in promoting and using greater diversity of plants and produce with a local and cultural identity.
• Horizon 2020: CAPSELLA “Collective Awareness PlatformS for Environmentally-sound Land management based on data technoLogies and Agrobiodiversity” (ref. 688813) 2015-2018 €  – A major sustainability challenge for the European society is moving beyond conventional, industrialised food production and agricultural systems, characterised by a high use of external inputs. Alternative systems with reduced use of external inputs have to be promoted, based on i) an optimised use of agricultural biodiversity (hereafter ‘agrobiodiversity’), ecological processes and natural resources and on ii) improved food systems based e.g. on short supply chain quality food, where consumers play an active role in driving produce demand and consequently offer. CAPSELLA will address this challenge in two ways: (a) raising awareness on these issues especially within and among local communities (smallholders agriculture, biodiversity, food quality) but also within the broader European public, and (b) offering innovative ICT solutions that will address needs and requirements coming from the communities. To achieve this we will use a combination of participatory bottom up data collection and top down data integration to develop solutions for two domains: agrobiodiversity and local food knowledge.
• Italian Ministry of Agriculture MiPAAF/Plant Genetic Resources/FAO Treaty RGV/FAO/RSR “Project Implementation of the FAO Treaty” 2007-2019  – Support for the implementation of ITPGRFA at national level and on the promotion of agricultural goods practices and sustainable use of agro-biodiversity at national and international level.
• Italian Ministry of Agriculture MiPAAF/Plant Genetic Resources/FAO Treaty RGV/FAO/RSR “Pilot project for the activation of a National Registry on cultivated local varieties” 2014-2015

Previous projects

• Lifelong Learning Programme: SEED FARMING “Staff training from experienced local farm mentors for the future of seeds” (2013-1-IT1-LEO03-03791) 2013-2015 – The objectives of the project are to share at European level programs, training arrangements and existing technical resources for the management and use of agricultural biodiversity.
• Lifelong Learning Programme: GROW “Growing agricultural biodiversity: knowledge and practice in Europe” (2013-1-ES1-LE004-71009 4) 2013-2015  – The overall project goal was to preserve the heritage of European cereals, fruits, vegetables through their development and their innovative use in the agro-food sector. In this way, the project was intended to strengthen the competitiveness of farmers and contribute to the nutritional quality of European food.
• Own funds: LCD 2013 “LET’S CULTIVATE DIVERSITY 2nd edition” 12-15 June 2013 Peccioli (PI) ITALY website http://cultivatediversity.org video http://vimeo.com/75470942
• Non-State Actors and Local Authorities in Development: FARMER SEEDS “Good practices in sustainable agriculture and Food sovereignty: developing an inclusive approach in fighting against poverty » (EuropeAid/127765/C/ACT/MULTI/1-165) 2010-2013 . website www.farmerseeds.org
• Lifelong Learning Programme: COLUMELLA “Cultivated Biodiversity and training in Europe » (LLP-LDV-PA-10-IT-279) 2010-2012 – The overall project goal was to preserve the heritage of European cereals, fruits, vegetables through their development and their innovative use in the agro-food sector. In this way, the project was intended to strengthen the competitiveness of farmers and contribute to the nutritional quality of European food.