Agroaldea
The research will address ecological and plant breeding specific inputs used in organic farming.
The European Commission has announced a new work program with a budget of 200 million € for research and innovation that recognizes the importance of the environmental approach and the role of the sustainable organic farming for European agriculture.
In the new Horizon plan 2020, It is covering the years 2016 and 2017, they consider 19 calls for investigation to address specific issues of the sector of organic agriculture to be included as part of the larger projects.
“We welcome the many opportunities offered by the new work program Horizon 2020 to further develop agroecology”, He said Eduardo Cuoco, director of technology platform TP Organics.
However, from the platform noted that this new work program ignores the need to further develop the production of organic food; "This is a missed opportunity to strengthen the competitiveness of organic farming industry".
In 2014 TP Organics published a Agenda for Research and Innovation Strategy on food and agriculture; the program shows that increased investment in research and innovation for the bio sector has much to offer to the whole of agriculture, both in terms of designing more sustainable production systems, and designing flexible business models.
Like this, in the words of Cuoco, "The new work program shows that the message has been understood by European policymakers". On the other hand, Laurence Beck, director Expertise Center in Wessanen organic farming (Holland), He has also expressed his satisfaction with the increased support they receive research and innovation in organic farming, but notes that "innovation should be the entire value chain is needed, even for food processing ".
Also, Beck points out that organic farming has the potential to meet growing demand from consumers for sustainable and healthy food and a fair share of public money should be allocated to development. According to the latest data 2013, European organic market showed a growth of 6% with a business volume of around 24 billion €.
Lines of action
Two major lines will be developed specifically for the organic sector included in the work program: on the one hand, on a plant ecological improvement; and another on Specific inputs used in organic farming; both with a total value of 28 million €.
In addition, the proyecto RA-Net CORE Organic, European network of funders countries transnational research projects for organic food and farming, will receive 5 million € to continue their activities.
Finally, anticipated 16 calls with a total value of 174 million € which they are explicitly mentioned aspects of organic farming should also be addressed, among which is intended for a game value 30 million € for a pilot large-scale precision agriculture and Internet applications for solutions in agriculture.