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PRIMA CALL┋Thematic Area 3 Food value chain in the Nexus

TOPIC: 1.3.1 (IA) – Developing cost-effective and sustainable technologies adapted to Mediterranean Food Systems to decrease food loss and waste.

TYPE OF ACTION: (IA) Innovation and Action

TOTAL INDICATIVE AMOUNT ALLOCATED TO THIS CALL: EUR 9.1 million

OPENING DATE: 25 Jan, 2024

DEADLINE:

Stage 1 Pre-proposals – 02 April, 2024 (17:00h Central European Time (CET)
Stage 2 Full proposals – 25 September, 2024 (17:00h Central European Time (CET)

STATUS: Open

Challenge

The Mediterranean region is facing a significant challenge in meeting the growing demand for food due to demographic growth, climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the consequences of the war in Ukraine. To address this challenge, reducing Food Loss and Waste (FLW) is critical for greater food security and environmental sustainability in the region. The FAO estimates that FLW in the Near East and North Africa amounts to 250kg/capita per year, valued at over USD 60 billion annually[1].

Cold storage and refrigeration are essential at every stage of the agri-food chain to increase shelf life, cut losses, and maintain product quality. Losses occur in the “first mile” between harvesting and processing, which accounts for more than 40% of the food products lost in the Mediterranean region[2]. By improving access to refrigeration, up to a quarter of perishable foods currently produced in the Mediterranean could be saved from spoilage. Renewable energy-based solutions offer significant advantages, including decentralized cold storage that can benefit smallholder farmers. However, scaling up renewable energy applications in food systems in the region presents common challenges, such as designing cost-effective solutions for smallholders and adopting a more holistic approach to renewable energy deployment efforts to reduce food loss and waste, integrating digital and emerging technologies can play a crucial role in achieving sustainability throughout the agri-food chain. Green technologies[3], known for being eco-friendly, rapid, and efficient in controlling microbes with minimal impact on food quality during processing, are in high demand. However, their adoption for food preservation may face obstacles related to cost, expertise, food safety, regulation, and business models. Addressing these challenges is essential to ensure the safe and effective use of green technologies in post-harvest activities.

Moreover, other types of green technologies, such as innovative packaging solutions, could also contribute to reducing FLW and enhancing food preservation during the agri-food chain. By addressing these challenges and implementing sustainable practices, the Mediterranean region can better meet the growing demand for food while mitigating the impacts of climate change and other pressing challenges.

[1] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2017). Regional Overview of Food Insecurity: Near East and North Africa. Rome. https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/b715647e-a958-4b88-87fc-9d1c336…

[2] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2019). The State of Food and Agriculture 2019: Moving Forward on Food Loss and Waste Reduction. https://www.fao.org/3/ca6030en/ca6030en.pdf

[3] Such as for example ozone, pulsed electric field, ohmic heating, photosensitization, ultraviolet radiations, high-pressure processing, ultrasonic, and nanotechnology)

Scope

This Call aims to support the deployment and demonstration of sustainable solutions to reduce food losses and waste, save energy, and enhance food safety during postharvest activities, including transportation, storage, and processing. The specific focus is on plant-based food and waste. These solutions should be scalable, sustainable, cost-effective, and tailored to smallholders in rural areas with limited access to electricity.

Proposals should implement processes and technologies adapted to Mediterranean food systems and climate conditions, ensuring a decrease in food losses and waste, prolonging food shelf-life, and enhancing food safety in different regions of the Mediterranean. The emphasis should be on the exploitation and dissemination of results, meaning that projects should not only focus on research and development but also on effectively utilizing and commercializing the outcomes and findings.

The use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, can provide a reliable energy source, especially in remote areas with limited access to electricity. Biomass by-products from agri-food activities can also serve as a sustainable energy source for processing and storage. Proposals could explore innovative environmentally friendly green technologies, including active and intelligent packaging, as desirable alternatives to conventional preservation techniques to reduce their negative impact on the environment. It is crucial to ensure that green technologies used for food preservation are adapted to the specific conditions of the Mediterranean region and are cost-effective enough to be adopted by smallholders. This can be achieved by conducting research and development to identify innovative solutions tailored to the region’s unique challenges. Recognizing the role of genetic factors in food losses, proposals should consider genetic-based selection of plant varieties with enhanced shelf-life and suitability for long-term storage, tailored to the unique conditions of different Mediterranean region. The proposals should include training and mobility initiatives to enhance the capacity of smallholders, with particular attention to women, to effectively adopt and implement sustainable solutions. To facilitate the adoption of green technologies for food preservation, it is essential to implement policy recommendations that can help reduce barriers and promote accessibility, especially for smallholders. Proposals should also analyse the economic, social, and environmental impact of renewable-based solutions and green technologies on reducing food losses and waste and improving food quality, including at the nutraceutical and sensorial levels. Additionally, the development of business models supporting the adoption and scaling of renewable-based solutions to reduce food losses and waste should be considered.

To emphasize the exploitation of results, actions should focus on effectively utilizing and leveraging the outcomes of the project. This includes optimizing the practical application and dissemination of the project’s findings and solutions, ensuring that the results are translated into tangible benefits for stakeholders and wider adoption within the Mediterranean region.

Projects should also produce a joint policy brief that aligns with the call’s scope and objectives with the aim to translate the main lessons learnt, knowledge and evidence generated through project work into key messages for policy makers. Other forms of collaboration, including data sharing, communication and dissemination, joint deliverables, events, etc., between funded projects are strongly encouraged.

Finally the proposals should align with the Food 2030 R&I policy and pathways for action, in particular with the actions on: Food waste and resource efficiency, Food systems Africa and the microbiome world, and should integrate a robust approach for food systems transformation.

Expected impact

The proposed solutions are expected to significantly reduce food losses and waste along the entire food value chain, contributing to environmental and climate sustainability.
Efficient methods to repurpose waste and by-products from the food value chain are anticipated to create value-added products, thereby promoting resource efficiency and sustainability.
Innovative solutions in food processing, packaging, and distribution should lead to improved efficiency and cost reduction post-harvest, benefiting both producers and consumers.
Use of alternative energy sources and implementation of ICT solutions, improving resource management and interactions within the value chain.
Promotion of resource-efficient preservation and storage technologies for food safety, leveraging innovative solutions, including microbiome-based solutions[1].
Enhanced interaction between different stakeholders in the food supply chain, notably farmers, smallholders, and large retailers, facilitating better management and potential price reductions.
Improvement in the quality of food at the nutraceutical and sensorial levels.

23 Collaborations are welcomed especially with HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-16 selected projects.