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".