Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Seeks Innovative Proposals
Amsterdam, Thursday, 27 June 2024.
The KIC ‘Greenhouses in Transition’ program, in collaboration with FFAR, is now accepting proposals to advance sustainable food production. This €5.4 million initiative aims to integrate technological, ecological, and societal innovations in Controlled Environment Agriculture.
Funding and Focus Areas
With a budget of €5,475,140, the Greenhouses in Transition program is set to fund proposals that encompass a wide array of innovations. These innovations should address not only technological advancements but also the ecological and societal impacts of transitioning to a more sustainable food system. The program is designed to foster a circular agricultural economy by promoting interdisciplinary research and collaboration among various stakeholders, including researchers, commercial partners, and civil society organizations.
Key Deadlines and Participation
Interested parties need to be mindful of key deadlines associated with this initiative. Sub-proposals must be submitted by October 29, 2024, at 14:00 CEST, while full proposals are due by June 5, 2025, at 14:00 CEST. Additionally, an informational webinar will be held on July 9, 2024, from 15:00 to 16:30 CEST. This webinar aims to provide detailed insights into the program, and researchers from diverse disciplines are encouraged to attend. Registration in advance is required for participation.
Collaborating Organizations
The program is a joint effort between the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and the U.S. Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR). Both organizations are renowned for their commitment to sustainable agriculture and innovation. NWO focuses on societal challenges in the Netherlands through cooperation between knowledge institutions, private parties, and the government. FFAR, established under the 2014 U.S. Farm Bill, emphasizes building public-private partnerships to fund research that addresses significant food and agriculture challenges.
Broader Impacts and Goals
The initiative aligns with the broader goals of both the U.S. and the Netherlands to transition to more sustainable food production systems, in line with U.N. sustainable development goals. Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) plays a crucial role in this transition by optimizing resource allocation and minimizing environmental footprints. The Greenhouses in Transition program supports this by funding interdisciplinary consortia that tackle the multifaceted challenges of CEA, including land, water, and energy resource management.
Innovative Examples and Future Directions
Examples of innovative agricultural practices are already emerging globally. For instance, a group of students from TU Delft in the Netherlands recently developed a hydrogen-powered car that broke the world record for the longest distance traveled by such a vehicle on a single tank, covering 1,000 kilometers. This project highlights the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy source and received support from various Dutch companies and organizations. Similarly, programs like the Kosmos Innovation Center’s Business Booster in Ghana are fostering the growth of Agri-MSMEs, emphasizing the global nature of sustainable agricultural innovation.