About the AGRO4AGRI Project

AGRO4AGRI is an EU-funded project set to revolutionize plant nutrition and protection through cutting-edge nano and biotechnology. Within 4 years, by enhancing fertilizer efficiency and developing species-specific nematicides, the project aims to deliver sustainable and innovative solutions under the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework.

 

Funded with €5.3 million from the Horizon Europe Programme, AGRO4AGRI brings together a diverse consortium of 12 high-profile European and non-European partners, including academic centres, research organizations, SMEs, foundations, and large companies from 7 countries. The project focuses on implementing nano and biobased controlled delivery systems for fertilizers, combined with plant biostimulants, to boost nutrient use efficiency. Additionally, it aims to develop target-specific biopesticides using RNAi technology, which are safe for humans and non-target organisms.

AGRO4AGRI’s solutions are designed to be biodegradable and environmentally friendly, reducing the need for traditional agrochemicals. Aligned with the European Green Deal, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the Farm to Fork Strategy, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, AGRO4AGRI aims to cut nutrient and pesticide use in agriculture by over 40% and 50%, respectively.

 

The project seeks to address soil contamination, reduce water consumption, improve agrochemical efficiency, and minimize water pollution. By promoting sustainable food systems and commercializing innovative solutions, AGRO4AGRI aims to strengthen the EU’s leadership in the sustainable agri-food sector and enhance its industrial competitiveness on a global scale.

Our Work Packages

  • Project management & coordination

    AINIA will monitor the correct implementation of the project; task & milestone completion and submission of deliverables according to the workplan and resources assigned, and accomplishment objectives and success indicators. The project management will procure a regular and accurate communication between the project partners and with the EC. Monitor, mitigate and manage potential risks and deviations from the workplan. Besides, this WP will ensure the proper handling of project data and the compliance with the principles of Open Science and ethics.

    Leds By:

    Starts: M1 (May 2024)

    Ends: M48 (April 2028)

  • Process and solutions design according to SSbD principles

    The purpose of this work package is to ensure that process and solutions developed in the project are aligned with the principles of safe and sustainable by design (SSbD). This includes analysis of the specific regulation for agrochemical products and market authorisations needed for the post-project commercialization of the developments. It furthermore includes an investigation of how the SSbD principles apply to new agrochemical solutions and their manufacturing processes of delivery systems for fertilisers, PB and precision plant pesticides.WP2 will focus on the pre-requisite analysis and SSbD principles for agrochemical solutions to ensure that the novel agrochemical solutions to be developed in the project are aligned with the SSbD Stage 1 design principles proposed by the EC.

    Leds By:

    Starts: M1 (May 2024)

    Ends: M6 (October 2024)

  • Development of advanced delivery systems for fertilizers

    The objective of this WP is to develop and characterise inorganic and biobased nanocarriers which will be able to deliver selected fertilisers. depending on the carrier and the nutrient, different strategies will be applied to get slow and controlled release.

    Leds By:

    Starts: M5 (September 2024)

    Ends: M25 (May 2026)

  • Development of novel safe and sustainable target-specific nematicides

    RNAi technology will be employed to silence vital genes of one of the most elusive nematode plagues, the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. In this WP, dsRNA genetic constructs will be designed and produced in biological platforms. In parallel, tailored encapsulation methods will be designed for the stabilisation and controlled release of such active principle.

    Leds By:

    Starts: M5 (September 2024)

    Ends: M25 (May 2026)

  • Integration and upscale formulation of delivery systems and advanced agrochemical solutions

    Scale up the production of delivery systems. Develop controlled delivery fertiliser formulas. Develop Plant Biostimulant formulas to be combined with the controlled delivery systems for enhanced nutrient absorption. Develop a reliable, stable and economical feasible formulation for the ds-RNA based bionematicide.

    Leds By:

    Starts: M21 (January 2026)

    Ends: M32 (December 2026)

  • Pilot demonstration of AGRO4AGRI solutions

    Pilot demonstration of AGRO4AGRI solution through field trials.

    Leds By:

    Starts: M30 (September 2026)

    Ends: M47 (March 2028)

  • Environmental, socio-economic and sustainability assessment

    The objectives for WP7 include conducting a comprehensive hazard assessment of the chemicals and materials involved. This will be followed by thorough human health, safety, and environmental tests and evaluations. Additionally, an environmental and socio-economic sustainability assessment will be carried out to ensure a holistic approach. Integrating social science reflexivity, along with ethical and social responsibility, is also a key objective to ensure the project aligns with broader societal values and considerations.

    Leds By:

    Starts: M5 (September 2024)

    Ends: M48 (April 2028)

  • Dissemination, communication and exploitation

    The WP8 aims to strategically plan and execute activities to ensure the successful dissemination, communication, and exploitation of the AGRO4AGRI project results. The key objectives include identifying and engaging stakeholders, drafting an intellectual property (IP) strategy, analysing the competitive landscape and market opportunities, developing business models, and crafting a strategy for long-term impacts beyond the project's lifetime.

    Leds By:

    Starts: M1 (May 2024)

    Ends: M48 (April 2028)

The AGRO4AGRI Project Consortium

  • AINIA

    AINIA is a private non-profit agri-food technological RTO with more than 35 years of experience in the development of high-impact technological transformation projects for the agri-food, packaging, cosmetics, health and chemical industries. Every year the company works with 1800 clients and participates in over 260 R&D projects. The centre has 20 pilot plants and 11 laboratories with the latest equipment and >270 employees with contrasted expertise on biotechnology, biorefinery, wastewater treatment, environmental engineering, packaging technologies, digital transformation, and food/feed product validation. AINIA has developed numerous projects in the fields of biofertilizer/biopesticide development, bioeconomy, food security and smart systems to monitor agronomic parameters through precision farming. Also, it has recent experience leading European Projects such as MIXMATTERS, GLEANSMART and TRIFILM.

    Role

    Project coordinator, WP1 and WP4 leader

    Location

    Spain

  • CTC

    The Technological Centre CTC is a private, non-profit foundation dedicated to enhancing companies by means of the application of Science and Technology, designing practical advanced solutions for industry. The CTC intends to establish a close relationship with companies so as to develop innovative processes of technological transfer to increase the competitiveness of the industrial fabric and facilitate the companies’ access to international markets. CTC provides knowledge applied to high-value solutions for clients. Its main objective is to consolidate itself as a centre of reference for innovation in Cantabria and as a qualified innovative agent on other markets. Likewise, the CTC aims to carry out market-orientated activities by means of its own technological solutions, to work on-line with companies and other research centres, and to achieve sustainable growth by means of a stable combination of financing by means of regional, national, and international open calls and projects with private companies. The Fields of Activity of CTC are Industry and Energy Navigation and Robotics Advanced Materials and Nanomaterials The department involved in the Agro4agri project is Advanced Materials and Nanomaterials, whose lines of specialization are: • Functional surface engineering • Composite/nanocomposite materials • Circular economy.

    Role

    WP3 leader

    Location

    Spain

  • SDU

    The University of Southern Denmark has its main campus in Odense and has been receiving students since September 1966. We now have five faculties with more than 27,000 students, almost 20% of whom are from abroad, and more than 3,800 employees distributed across our main campus in Odense and regional campuses in Slagelse, Kolding, Esbjerg, and Sønderborg. Several international studies document that we conduct world-class research and are one of the top fifty young universities in the world.

    Role

    WP7 leader

    Location

    Denmark

    Website

    www.sdu.dk

  • DTU

    DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,400 students and 5,800 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

    Role

    WP2 leader

    Location

    Denmark

  • FGC

    Fundación Grupo Cajamar is a non-profit foundation whose aims are to promote and carry out activities related to the social economy and the agri-food sector, where initiatives are carried out that contribute to the promotion of cooperativism, agri-food research, applied technological innovation, studies and analysis of the reality of production and the transfer of scientific and technical knowledge.

    Role

    Project partner

    Location

    Spain

  • PCH

    Proefcentrum Hoogstraten (PCH) is a practice-oriented trial station in Belgium that performs leading research in horticulture. The goal is to support and promote growers by performing scientific and demonstrative research and provide practice-relevant advice. Through external (government) support, (inter)national projects and contract research high-quality research is performed in strawberry, tomato and bell pepper. Research topics include energy, water, plague- and disease control, crop varieties, cultivation technique, …. . PCH has its own strawberry advisors and works tightly together with Cooperation Hoogstraten and its associated growers. This enables PCH to have a close contact with growers and maximizes the flow of research towards innovation and impact in the sector.

    Role

    WP6 leader

    Location

    Belgium

  • FI Group

    FI Group advises companies on the management of their R&D&I financing, through the design and implementation of actions aimed at boosting their technological and economic development. These actions focus on the integral treatment of R&D&I tax incentives and the management of calls for public grants and subsidies at the national and European levels, resulting in an improvement of the companies' profit and loss accounts.
    Its commitment to achieving excellence in all its services has led FI Group to assume the leadership of the sector, both at the national and European levels, thus promoting an ambitious internationalisation plan with a clear objective: to help its clients in the generation of value.

    Role

    WP8 leader

    Location

    Portugal

  • SIPCAM-OXON

    Sipcam Oxon is a private and independent company with a strong focus on internationalization, through its vast expertise in developing and formulating high quality and innovative solutions, specializes in crop protection, biostimulants and biorational products. For over 75 years, has partnered with farmers to help them overcome future challenges with innovative, sustainable solutions that ensure efficient, healthy, and environmentally friendly food production.
    Rooted in Italy, is present in over 30 countries through subsidiaries and joint ventures, and commercialize innovative solutions in more than 50 countries. With this global coverage, and thanks to nine synthesis and formulation plants worldwide, Sipcam Oxon meet the unique agricultural needs of each region.

    Role

    WP5 leader

    Location

    Italy

  • IHS

    The Institute for Advanced Studies creates empirically based knowledge on significant economic and social challenges of our time. It delivers excellent applied basic research and impartial scientific policy advice, combining economic and social science perspectives. In doing so, the collection and analysis of microdata is a strong foundation. IHS maintains state-of-the-art model infrastructures and forecasting capabilities. It promotes the development of young scientists for positions in academia and practice, creates platforms for international academic exchange, and plays a key role in transferring the findings of advanced economic and social research into public discourse in Austria.

    Role

    Project partner

    Location

    Austria

  • SYSPRO

    SYSPRO AUTOMATION is a global technical services company focused on improving and optimizing the productivity of all types of industrial facilities through the use of Technology.

    Role

    Project partner

    Location

    Spain

  • MIRAT

    MIRAT FERTILIZANTES, located in Salamanca, a family company having more than 275 years of presence in the agricultural sector, dedicated mainly to production and distribution of fertilizers, occupies one of the top positions in the ranking of manufacturers of agricultural inputs in Spain. Reference in the market for its excellent quality/price ratio, under the ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications in environmental management systems in the manufacture of NPK fertilizers, accrediting our respect for the environment in the manufacturing process. The raw materials used in the elaboration of our products are adjusted to rigorous specifications that allow us to achieve the desired quality. MIRAT Fertilizantes submits its suppliers to a continuous evaluation that allows us to be sure that their products and services are carried out satisfactorily.

    Role

    Project partner

    Location

    Spain

  • OPTIMAT

    Optimat is one of the leading independent innovation and strategy consultancies in Europe. For over 30 years we have been working with a wide variety of clients from the public, private and research sectors across the whole innovation lifecycle including science/innovation policy, evaluation, R&D programmes, innovation infrastructure, technology commercialisation and exploitation, and knowledge transfer.

    Role

    Associated partner

    Location

    United Kingdom

Latest News & Articles

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Join the AGRO4AGRI Stakeholder Network: Shape the Future of Sustainable Agriculture

Why Join the AGRO4AGRI Stakeholder Network? The agricultural sector is facing a major challenge—feeding a growing population while reducing its…

blog-post-image
The kick-off to revolutionize plant nutrition and protection

The Horizon Europe project AGRO4AGRI has kicked off on 28th – 29th May in Paterna, Valencia. Funded with 5.3 M€…

Events

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AGRO4AGRI Showcases at Research and Innovation Webinar on Pesticides and Integrated Pest Management

The AGRO4AGRI project recently showcased its leadership in sustainable agriculture at the Research and Innovation Webinar on Pesticides and Integrated…

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AGRO4AGRI participates in the 12th Framework Programme Conference in Oviedo

On the 28th of November 2024, the 12th Framework Programme Conference in Oviedo, Spain, brought together key stakeholders to analyse…

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First project’s in-person meeting: the kick-off to empower sustainable agriculture

The Horizon Europe project AGRO4AGRI  celebrated its kick-off meeting from the 28th to the 29th of May 2024, hosted by…

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