The BIOFRUITNET Operational Group promotes innovation in the production of European organic fruits

The BIOFRUITNET Operational Group promotes innovation in the production of European organic fruits asimon Fri, 10/28/2022 - 07:09

• The BIOFRUITNET Operational Group (GO) project aims to strengthen and generate new networks between the different European actors involved
• Its objective is the dissemination of knowledge about the cultivation of organic fruits to make them known in countries of the European Union (EU).

On many occasions, the existing innovations in certain scientific and technical fields of the agricultural world are not taken advantage of by the beneficiaries of said advances. The GO BIOFRUITNET born for Promote innovation in the production of organic fruit by strengthening networks and thus facilitate the transfer of knowledge between the agents involved.

This Operational Group was born with the objective of facilitating the start, profitability and long-term sustainability of the production of organic fruits in EU countries.

Its actions focus on organic pit, stone and citrus fruits , and, as its website indicates, the project aims to “strengthen the competitiveness of European production.”

To achieve this, its actions are based on two axes:

1. Compilation and synthesis of scientific and practical knowledge: through online training, podcasts, videos and short articles so that this content is expanded among community countries.
2. Strengthening established networks: create and strengthen synergies between networks of organic fruit producers and interested parties through the transmission of information

The project has a team of specialized European researchers who analyze different studies on pest and soil management, varieties or diseases around organic fruit that already exist.

Communicate and spread

This work would not be useful if knowledge were not transferred to interested parties. According to what Ángela Morell and Ana Isabel Hidalgo, responsible for European Projects and technician of the International Department of Ecovalia - the association in charge of BIOFRUITNET communication - tell the RRN, it is about generating “materials aimed at producers in attractive and easy-to-use formats. and with very practical information.” For example:

1. Creation of summaries of “Good Practices”: for the management of specific topics for each type of crop. At the moment, 19 copies have been published in English , but with the aim of being translated into nine other languages (Spanish among them) and reaching 100 summaries.
2. Video production and publication: 19 of the 25 planned videos have been published onYouTube in English, which will also be translated into nine languages.
3. Podcasts: five podcasts will be posted with experts in different types of fruits, talking about the best ways to approach each crop.
4. Online courses: two free online courses will be held on each fruit group. They have already held one with a citrus theme with almost 300 registered.

Components and financing

BIOFRUITNET is coordinated by NATURLAND , it has 16 partners ( Ecovalia , INNOVARUM , Inhort , GRAB , Laimburg , IFOAM OE , CIHEAM-IAMB , VSUO , FÖKO , FiBL , UCPH , HortiAdvice , SLU , Delphy and ALOA ) from 12 European countries, including seven technical and research organisations, three organic farmers associations, two universities , two advisory boards, a European association and an SME involved in the development and implementation of the project.

This project has received 100% funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No. 862850. Its total budget is 1,999,302.50 euros.

Ordination date Fri, 10/28/2022 - 09:13 Featured Off