European projects

IFV is currently involved in the following European projects:

Projects in which IFV is involved

SAFEWAX : Sustainable Bioinspired Wax Coating for Multi-Functional Crop Protection

Funding : HORIZON-EIC-2022-PATHFINDER-OPEN-01

Duration : 2022-2026

Coordination : TECHNION – ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Status IFV : Partner

Summary :

Inspired by superhydrophobic plants, such as lotus and broccoli which exhibit wax crystals on their cuticles, the project proposes a generic sustainable strategy for passive crop protection against fungal pathogens. Our biomimetic technology, termed SafeWax, relies on bioderived non-toxic fatty acid-based sprayable formulations which self-assemble into a multifaceted protective coating with antiadhesive, self-cleaning and antifungal properties. When applied on sensitive crops, which do not naturally exhibit wax crystals, SafeWax will synthetically render their foliage to passively resist pathogens. SafeWax concepts will initially be demonstrated on grapevine, as a relevant model crop of high importance to Europe’s economy, environment and culture, which is highly susceptible to fungal diseases and is the most-frequently treated crop. SafeWax will then be expanded to other sensitive commodity crops. The biodegradable SafeWax coating will not only protect crops from fungal infections but will also be tuned to provide UV radiation filtering, prevent sun damage, as well as facilitate water collection from dew condensation, mitigating inevitable effects of climate change.

The consortium is led by TECHNION – ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY and brings together 4 other partners from 3 countries (IFV-French Wine and Vine Institute and Eurofins Agroscience Services in France, University of Bologna – Italy, BASF- Germany) and will run from 2022 to 2026.

IFV participate mainly in the experiments for demonstrating the efficacy of the solution and in the transfer of the results to the wine industry.

More information :

Contact IFV : Eric Chantelot

GREENVINEYARDS. Upskilling wineries staff: Responding to the challenges of climate change

Funding : Erasmus

Duration : February 2022- July 2024

Coordination : Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR)

Status IFV : Partner

Summary :

Green Vineyards : Upskilling wineries staff: Responding to the challenges of climate change

The aim of ‘Green Vineyards’ project is to raise the knowledge, skills and aptitudes of workers in the wine sector, addressing the challenges of climate change. The project objectives are:

  1. a) To identify the environmental competences required by the workers to ensure a positive ecological footprint of the activities carried out.
  2. b) To identify common gaps in the workers’ knowledge, attitudes and skills, to better address their training necessities.
  3. c) To provide personalized training for wineries sector staff, according to the identified skills gaps and making the required training available online
  4. d) To facilitate access to training, creating a friendly and accessible online learning environment for all workers of wine sector.
  5. e) To raise awareness of climate change impact in the key sector of wine production. f) To improve the climate literacy of rural communities.
  6. g) To disseminate the expected outcomes in order to transmit the created knowledge all
    over Europe, making the knowledge and technology transfer from the wine sector to other agri-food sectors as smooth as possible…

It is a cooperative partnership of six partners from five European countries—Germany, Italy, France, North Macedonia, and Spain. 

The project will produce the following tangible results:  
a) An environment-oriented Competence Framework, transferable to many other sectors.

  1. b) A catalogue of best practices
  2. c) Multimedia resources, based on the catalogue of selected practices
  3. d) A self-assessment and recommendation tool,
  4. e) A complete set of appropriate training materials
  5. f) An free access online Learning Hub
  6. g) A transferability Toolkit. a step-by-step guide that will describe and plan the transfer of the Green Vineyards methodology and contents. 

After having tested the learning scheme by 300 workers, the sector will get a specially created tool to improve its workforce capacities to participate in a more ‘green’ and sustainable economy, enhancing at the same time the overall society awareness about climate change. 

IFV brings its expertise on the theme of Climate Change, and its knowledge and involvement into the French wine industry. 

More information : https://greenvineyards.eu/ 

Twitter:  @green_vineyards 

Contact IFV : Carine Herbin

AgriFoodTEF. Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEF) for Agrifood

Funding : Horizon Europe – DIGITAL-2022-CLOUD-AI-02-TEF-AGRIFOOD 

Duration : 2023-2028

Coordination : FONDAZIONE BRUNO KESSLER (Italy)

Status IFV : Affilated entity of ACTA

Summary :

AgriFoodTEF is a network of test and validation infrastructures in Europe that supports Agri-Food technology companies to do near product development of their AI and Robotics solutions in real-world facilities. The overall aim is to close the gap between excellent research in these fields and actual products that support an efficient and sustainable agriculture, while meeting stringent usability and economic requirements of their end-users.

AgriFoodTEF foundations are solidly rooted in existing experimental farms and facilities for AI and Robotics in Agriculture, already operational in various regions highly representative of European Agri-Food production. These have been clustered to build scale and further enhance EU role in guaranteeing world food security with testing and validation facilities that will engage all relevant stakeholders with the best experts in the AI and Robotics technology domains.

Furthermore, standards for dataset creation, data sovereignty, algorithm or benchmark interoperability will be based on GAIA-X as the ambassadors of different GAIA-X agri-domains in Europe are part of the proposal.

While each TEF-node will promote independent operations with a sustainable business model that will be optimized for the specialties and territorial needs, all TEF-nodes will share common guidelines, standards and support each other with services that can be also offered across the different regions represented by nodes and satellites.

The final aim is to help Europe achieve leadership in fostering top quality, technology driven and massive adoption of innovative solutions for Agri-Food, bringing primary production to new levels of efficiency akin to what was achieved by the Green Revolution

IFV’s will participate through its demo farm (Digiferme® Vinnopole Sud Ouest) by providing physical and digital testing infrastructure for innovative solutions de developed by companies, and will participate in quality management & methods, and communication and dissemination activities.

More information : https://www.agrifoodtef.eu 

Contact IFV : Christophe Gaviglio

CLIMED FRUIT. Operational Group network for climate change resilience for perennial crops in Mediterranean Area

Funding :  HORIZON-CL6-2021-GOVERNANCE-01-23] [Broaden EIP Operational Group outcomes across borders by means of thematic networks, compiling and sharing knowledge ready for practice]

Duration : 2022-2025

Coordination : IFV

Summary :

CLIMED-FRUIT aims to share knowledge ready for practice, collected from different Operational Groups (OG) across Europe, for a better adaptation to climate change and mitigation, in perennial crops in the Mediterranean Area (grape vine, olive, fruits). The project builds on the results of a core group of 9 OG coordinated by a multi-actor consortium members (advisors, farmer organisations, research and education institutes, standardisation organisation), covering several Mediterranean crops in 7 different countries (France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Serbia). Best practices collected and shared range from (i) soil conservation and carbon storage, (ii) improving resilience of crops facing climatic hazards (frost, hail), (iii) innovative practices for adapting water stress management, (iv) adaption of food chain processes to climate change and diversification, and (v) preserving biodiversity for a better resilience to climate change issues and pests. These groups will share their experience through a combination of innovative digital formats, cross-visits and interactive local dissemination events. In addition, new knowledge and practices will be gathered more widely by organising an open contest. Participants from other European projects, other EIP OGs or even international projects from the Mediterranean area will be invited to propose abstracts. The most applicable solutions will be selected and pitched in a broad online conference. Participants will be invited to rank the best presentations according to cost/benefit ratio, which will then be widely disseminated and shared. Social media channels, videos, podcasts, crowd writing contests will be used to spread the knowledge. Specific editorial partnerships will be established with most popular technical reviews. The network will host a forum to capitalise on existing OG experiences and aims to foster new OGs to spread and explore new practical knowledge in relation to adaptation to climate change.

IFV is the coordinator of the project.

More information :

Contact IFV : Clara Gérardin

CODECS. Maximising the CO-benefits of agricultural Digitalisation through conducive digital ECoSystems

Funding : HORIZON-CL6-2021-GOVERNANCE-01-22: Assessing the impacts of digital technologies in agriculture

Duration : 2022-2026

Coordination : University of Pisa

Status IFV : Affiliated entity of ACTA

Summary :

CODECS will (i) produce and provide information on the costs and benefits of digital technologies – assessed at different scales and in real life – to farmers, advisors, and policy makers, (ii) study and create the conditions for increasing capacities of farmers and rural communities to use them, and (iii) build policy recommendations to foster the agricultural digital technologies conducive to sustainable development. CODECS consortium will be devoted to implement policies of reference for this topic, to be achieved through: (i) specific engagement activities as Living Labs at regional, national, European level, (ii) a dedicated work package on policy analysis and policy tools (iii) the establishment of a science-policy interface and a set of policy briefs as a part of the Dissemination, Exploitation, Communication and Outreach strategy. In this way, CODECS aims to contribute to:

  • the Green Deal strategy, by aligning digitalisation pathways to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • the “Europe fit for the Digital Age” strategy, by supporting appropriate digital technology development for farming tailored to the needs and to the characteristics of the vast majority of European farmers.
  • the “Economy that works for all”, by developing a system-based actor-centred approach to farm digitalisation, which will facilitate digital technology uptake in coherence with sustainability principles.
  • the “EU framework to facilitate sustainable investments”, by providing a methodology for an assessment of costs and (co-)benefits of digital technology, including a technology assessment grid.

IFV participates in this project by providing activities on its experimental farm “Vinnopole Sud Ouest” in the South West of France.

More information : https://www.horizoncodecs.eu/

Contact IFV : Eric Serrano

OPER8. European Thematic Network for unlocking the full potential of Operational Groups on alternative weed control

 Funding :   CL6-2021-GOVERNANCE-01-23: Broaden EIP Operational Group outcomes across borders by means of Thematic networks, compiling and sharing knowledge ready for practice

Duration : 2022 – 2025

Coordination : Agricultural University of Athens (AUA)

Status IFV : Partner

Summary :

Oper8 project will build upon the activities of 8 European Innovation Partnership Agri (EIP Agri) Operational Groups (OG) on non-chemical weed control to create a geographically balanced, multi-actor thematic network across the EU. The selected groups will join forces with the aim to maximise their potential in reaching out to AKIS actors and broaden their outcomes within the EU ecosystem, allowing for resilient agriculture systems to be developed.

Oper8 aims to promote innovative, non-chemical weed control methods and increase the flow of information in the EU by drawing upon concrete demonstration cases and tangible results available from the participating and future OGs. The Oper8 approach is based on the establishment of a Thematic Network involving core AKIS actors (farmers, advisors, researchers, industry representatives) to: (i) connect OGs to each other to render their activities visible; (ii) make collective analysis and adaptation, and scale solutions up to the EU level, and (iii) stimulate a mindset shift towards sustainable farming.

IFV will build on its experience of the “Operational Group Zero herbicides in the Mediterranean area” for the viticulture sector.

More information :

Contact IFV : Camille Guilbert

SEEDS2PROWINE. Circular-based alternative protein extraction from grape seeds for wine-making process

Funding : LIFE-2021-SAP-ENV-ENVIRONMENT

Duration : 2022-2026

Coordination : CAVIRO (Italy)

Academic/Research partners: Università degli Studi di Padova, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Institut Français de la Vigne et du Vin
Business/Industry partners: Caviro Extra, Ever, Vinidea

Abstract

  • 40% of grape pomace produced in EU wine industry is destinated to a low waste-hierarchy stage (fertilizer or fuel) although the grape seeds are rich in proteins that shall be extracted and revalorized during winemaking process.
  • SEEDSPRO2WINE implements one circular business model based on a pioneering & mature-R&D-results industrial process for the extraction of proteins from de-tannificated grape to be exploited as a fining agent in the wine industry and to replace the traditionally-used protein gelatin of animal origin and protein extracts from food crops.
  • The system will produce 24 tons/y of proteins by end of the project while 120 tons/y are planned by 2031, covering 17% of Italian protein demand (5% EU).
  • A reduction of GHG emission is expected comparing our process with the animal and vegetal-based proteins.

Main project goal

  • Promoting one circular-based industrial process, environmentally and economically sustainable and technically feasible, finalized at the extraction of proteins from grape seeds (currently considered as waste and destinated to fertilization and fuel purposes) to be re-valorized as fining agent in the wine clarification in place of raw materials currently used, such as the traditionally-used protein gelatins of animal origin and proteins extracts from food crops.

Specific objectives

  • Development, upon the available R&D studies carried on by Università degli Studi di Padova, of one small-scale industrial plant to integrate the extraction process of grape seed proteins into a tannin extraction process already present in CAVIRO company to obtain a final product that can be firstly applied as fining agent for wine industry.
  • Reduction of the overall environmental burden / footprint of winemaking process in the transition from traditionally-used protein gelatin of animal origin and protein extracts from food crops to grape seed proteins. In specific, the goal is to find the optimal balance between high-quality protein contents and resources used in the extractions (water, energy, chemicals, etc.).
  • Replication of the circular business model experienced by CAVIRO at larger European scale to demonstrate that the technology/approach for proteins extraction and revalorization is – upon certain conditions disclosed by the project – technically feasible and economically sustainable by most of the European winemakers, environmentally less impacting than animal-base proteins clarification process and – overall – in line with healthy and sustainable dietary patterns streamlined by the Farm-to-Fork strategy.

Project duration
48 months – from 01/08/2022 to 31/07/2026

Project website
http://www.seedspro2wine.eu

More information :

Contact IFV : Philippe Cottereau

Total Eligible Budget
€ 4,091,892.00

Project 101074362 – LIFE21 – ENV – IT – SEEDSPRO2WINE is co-funded with the contribution of the European Commission, under the LIFE Program – Circular Economy and Waste – Grant Agreement n. LIFE21-ENV-IT-SEEDSPRO2WINE/101074362

SUSTEMICROP Development of eco-sustainable systemic technologies and strategies in key Mediterranean crop systems, contributing to small farming socio-economic resilience.

 

 

 

 

Project Title : Development of eco-sustainable systemic technologies and strategies in key Mediterranean crop systems, contributing to small farming socio-economic resilience.
Funding : PRIMA
Duration : 2022-2025
Coordination : University of Léon (Spain)
Status IFV: Partner

Summary :
SUSTEMICROP’s main objective is to increase resilience of Mediterranean cropping systems and competitiveness of small-scale farming, by developing and implementing systemic eco-sustainable technologies and strategies, adapted to regional particularities, and based on four approaches:

  1. functional biodiversity as crop defence by the use of crop residues enriched with Biological Control Agents (biofertilisers)
  2. the design and use of bio-pesticides obtained from natural extracts;
  • the use of novel and traditional varieties better adapted to climate change’s adverse effects,
  1. agricultural practises (overall) sustainability assessment and related digital supporting tools for improving decision-making by small farmers.

SUSTEMICROP will deliver a package of sustainable strategies, products, and tools that, when applied individually or adopted as a whole in an integrated management, will allow small farmers to increase their competitiveness, adopt innovations and achieve overall sustainability, in the project target crops (hop, vineyards (both, wine and table grapes) and date palm).

The consortium is led by University of Leon (Spain) and brings together 10 partners from 7 countries (Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Tunisia, Marocco, Lebanon) and will run from 2022 to 2025.

IFV participate mainly in WP4 lead by INRAE will screen, monitor and test resistant crop varieties that are more resilient and adapted to climatic change conditions in the Mediterranean context. IFV will participate in Screening and monitoring of vineyard varieties for resilience and adaptation to climatic change with or without resistance genes against several fungal diseases (Greece, Lebanon, France)

More specifically, partners will evaluate several grapevine genotypes, for their ability to produce and maintain fruit and wine quality under environmental conditions matching the predicted by Global Climate Change models. In addition, varieties known to resist against downy and powdery mildew will be tested under different climate conditions, and new genotypes from early stage of selection will be tested in different CO2 conditions. The plant material to be tested is (1): genotypes already registered in the grape catalogue, tested for the presence of downy and powdery mildew resistance genes, and other agronomical characters; and (2): others produced in the project, such as genotypes from new crossing aiming at producing vines less demanding in acidity corrections, organoleptically ripe at a lower sugar concentration. Available grafted material will be planted in good growing conditions (before the official start of the project) to produce grape within the 3 years project, or a dwarf model will be used to obtain new material and cultivate it in the new environments within the 3 years period.

IFV will also participate in the following activities :

  • WP3 led by INRGREF (National Research Institute of Water, Forests and Rural Engineering – University of Carthage – Tunisia) will formulate new bio-pesticides against diseases based on essential oils and natural extracts from aromatic plants. IFV will analyse the lab efficiency of new Biopesticides from essential oils and extracts of aromatic plants addressing downy and powdery mildew in vineyards.
  • WP6 led by UMP (Mohamed I University -Morocco) dedicated to the Sustainability assessment of proposed solutions

More information :

Contact IFV : Cédric Moisy

 

IPMWorks - An EU-wide farm network demonstrating and promoting cost-effective IPM strategies

Project Title :
An EU-wide farm network demonstrating and promoting cost-effective IPM strategies

Funding : SFS-06-2018-2020: Stepping up integrated pest management
Duration : 2019-2022
Coordination : INRAE UMR Agroécologie
Status IFV : Third party of ACTA

Summary :
IPMWORKS aims to promote the adoption of Integrated Pest Manament strategies, based on a EU-wide network of farmers, who will both progress further in the adoption of IPM – through peer-to-peer learning and joint efforts – and demonstrate to other farmers that holistic IPM “works”; i.e. allows a low reliance on pesticides with better pest control, reduced costs and enhanced profitability.
IPMWORKS will coordinate existing networks across Europe, promoting IPM and launching new hubs of farms in regions or sectors where IPM pioneers are not yet engaged in a relevant network. Advisors coordinating hubs will have a major role in facilitating knowledge sharing, coaching farmers to find their own IPM solutions, and organising local demonstration activities. IPMWORKS will stimulate access to the ‘IPM Decisions’ platform and provide information on the IPM methods. It will collect data for comparing IPM strategies, and share results and dissemination material through channels widely used by farmers, broadcasting IPM success stories. It will organise training, and produce training material, targeting both farmers outside the network and advisory services, in order to prepare for the future dissemination of the peer-to-peer learning approach and the general adoption of IPM throughout the EU.
IPM Works is coordinated by INRAE UMR Agroécologie, and is implemented by a consortium of 54 partners.
IFV coordinates a hub of European “demo farms” in the viticulture sector, participates in different cross visits link to IPM, and disseminates project’s information and results.

Contact :
David Lafond

Press Release :
Lancement du projet européen H2020 IPMWorks – réduction de l’usage des pesticides (acta.asso.fr)

NOVATERRA - Integrated novel strategies for reducing the use and impact of pesticides, towards sustainable mediterranean vineyards and olive groves

Project Title :
INTEGRATED NOVEL STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING THE USE AND IMPACT OF PESTICIDES, TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE MEDITERRANEAN VINEYARDS AND OLIVE GROVES

Funding : SFS-04-2019-2020
Duration : 2020-2024
Coordination : IRTA
Status IFV : Partner

Summary :
The DIRECTIVE 2009/128/EC ON THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF PESTICIDES gives directions for attaining the sustainable use of pesticides in the EU. The objective is to minimize risks and impacts for the environment and human health by promoting alternative strategies. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is one of the cornerstones of the Directive. NOVATERRA aims to reduce the use and negative impacts of CONTENTIOUS PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS (PPP) for integrated pest, disease and weed management in the two main Mediterranean crops in Europe: grapevines and olives. NOVATERRA will develop a pool of novel, integrated and sustainable strategies, technically and economically viable, resulting from three different approaches: a) To develop novel combinations of ALTERNATIVE, non-synthetic PRODUCTS and biological control techniques for plant protection, b) To optimize the application and dosage of PPP through SMART FARMING technologies and c) To mitigate the appearance of pest and diseases through the use of new SOIL MANAGEMENT strategies. Those approaches will be evaluated and validated in a combination of integrated solutions for updating and improving IPM strategies. Indicators for measuring the impact of crop management and protection on human health, air, water, soil, biodiversity, energy will be implemented. Further analyses will be done in terms of economic costbenefit for farmers to adopt the different techniques and farmers and consumers’ willingness to pay. The consortium composition will guarantee a multi-actor approach with contributions coming from research institutions, growers, technological SMEs, auxiliary industry and relevant associations. Finally, the Exploitation Plan together with the Communication and Dissemination Plan will ensure the outreach of results among the stakeholders in the European farming sector. NOVATERRA outputs will also be key for further discussion with policymakers in terms of EU plant health policies and risk assessment around PPPs usage.
NOVATERRA is coordinated by IRTA (Food Research and Technology Institute) of Catalunia (Spain) and is implemented by a consortium of 19 partners.
IFV will coordinate a case of study for grapevine in France and will coordinate and implement the testing of new natural alternative plant protection products, biopesticides and biocontrol techniques in the vineyard. IFV will contribute to the assessing of smart farming technologies in field conditions and validating the integration of global solutions for an effective and adapted IPM strategy.

Contact :
Eric Chantelot

Website :
www.novaterraproject.eu

BIOBESTicide - BIO-Based pESTicides production for sustainable agriculture management plan

Project Title :
BIO-Based pESTicides production for sustainable agriculture management plan

Funding : IBBI-IA-DEMO – Bio-based Industries Innovation action – Demonstration
Duration : May 2020-April 2023
Coordination : BIOVITIS
Status IFV : Partner

Summary :
The BIOBESTicide project will validate and demonstrate the production of an effective and cost-efficient biopesticide. The demonstration will be based on an innovative bio-based value chain starting from the valorisation of sustainable biomasses, i.e. beet pulp and sugar molasses and will exploit the properties of the oomycete Pythium oligandrum strain I-5180 to increase natural plant defenses, to produce an highly effective and eco-friendly biopesticide solution for vine plants protection.
BIOVITIS, the project coordinator, has developed, at laboratory level (TRL4), an effective method to biocontrol one of the major causes of worldwide vineyards destruction, the Grapevine Trunk Diseases (GTDs). The protection system is based on the oomycete Pythium oligandrum strain I-5180 that, at applied at optimal time and concentration, colonises the root of vines and stimulates the natural plant defenses against GTDs, providing a protection that ranges between 40% and 60%.
BIOBESTicide project will respond to the increasing demands for innovative solutions for crop protection agents, transferring the technology to a DEMO Plant able to produce more than 10 T of a high-quality oomycete-based biopesticide product per year (TRL7).
The BIOBESTicide project will validate the efficiency of the formulated product on vineyards of different geographical areas.
To assure the safety of products under both health and environmental points of view, a full and complete approval dossier for Pythium oligandrum strain I-5180 will be submitted in all the European countries.
A Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) will be conducted to assess the environmental, economic and social impacts of the developed products.
The adoption of the effective and cost-efficient biopesticide will have significant impacts with a potential ROI of 30 % in just 5 years and a total EBITDA of more than € 6,400,00

IFV will implement field experimentations in its experimental vineyards and participate to communication and dissemination activities.
The project is coordinated by Biovitis. The consortium is constituted of : Lamberti Spa (Italy), Institut National De Recherche Pour L’agriculture, L’alimentation Et L’environnement (France), Fundacion Tecnalia Research & Innovation (Spain), Eurion Consulting (France), Ciaotech Srl (Italy), Stowarzyszenie Zachodniopomorski Klaster Chemiczny Zielona Chemia (Poland), Institut Francais De La Vigne Et Du Vin (France), Mercier Freres Sarl (France), Nordzucker Ag (Germany).

> This project has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement N° 886776.”.

Contact :
Guillaume Delanoue

VINIoT - Developing SME digitalisation and precision viticulture through a network of IoT sensors in the vineyard

Project Title : Developing SME digitalisation and precision viticulture through a network of IoT sensors in the vineyard

Funding : INTERREG SUDOE

Duration : 2019-2023

Coordination : AIMEN (Asociación de Investigación Metalúrgica del Noroeste)

Status IFV: Partner

Summary : The project aims to create a new monitoring system for vineyards in the South West of Europe (SUDOE area) enabling to provide real time information on the grape quality, the fields and vine plant status. The aim is to monitor the hydric and maturity status of the grape or the presence of bioagressors though specific risk alerts to the people in charge of the vineyard (ie technicans) thus enabling them to detect problems earlier, reduce cost production and optimize the harvest and the quality of wine. The monitoring service will result from the combination of two main technologies in the frame of an Internet of Things (IoT) architecture: multispectral imagery and soil sensors. The VINIOT service will be implemented by the project’s partners and the VINIoT hub will put into contact the service providers with users, taking into account their geographical localization, the type of grape produced and other regional specificities. Knowledge produced within the project will be openly shared. IFV’s will implement field experimentation in its vineyard in order to provide reliable references and test the different technologies. IFV will implement field demonstrations in the frame of its “Digiferme” site and participate in the dissemination of results in the wine sector. The project includes partners from France (IFV, INRAE) with two wineries as associated beneficiaries (Vinnovalie and NEOTERA Cave du Grand Narbonne), Portugal (ADVID: Douro wine grower association), and Spain (Government of Rioja, AGACAL Galician food quality association, and FEUGA Gallician technology transfer foundation, along with several associated wineries).

Contact : Carole Feilhès

Website : www.viniot.eu

I2CONNECT - Connecting advisors to boost interactive innovation in agriculture and forestry

Project Title : Connecting advisors to boost interactive innovation in agriculture and forestry

Funding : H2020 RUR 16

Duration : 2019-2024

Coordination : Assemblée Permanente des Chambres d’Agricultures (APCA)

Status IFV: Third party of ACTA

Summary : The i2connect project aims to fuel the competencies of advisors who will support and facilitate interactive innovation processes responding to multiple challenges in European agriculture and forestry. This facilitation requires awareness, new tools and methods, motivational and organisational approaches for advisors. The strategy in i2connect is to use the existing advisor networks and the experiences of success in different contexts to create a broader network and momentum of change enabling a new culture of bottom up led innovation support. This resource of over 40,000 advisors are critical actors supporting agriculture and forestry on the ground and must be influenced in this project to support interactively innovation with particular emphasis on EIP 2020 target of 3,500 operational groups and beyond. The i2connect consortium is composed of 24 beneficiaries from 16 European countries. IFV’s will participate in cross visit activities and will provide and supporting adequate training material for advisors in the field of viticulture and enology.

Website : https://i2connect-h2020.eu/

Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlGW8FkNdU0

Contact : Eric Serrano

PERFECT LIFE - PEsticide Reduction using Friendly and Environmentally Controlled Technologies

Project Title : PEsticide Reduction using Friendly and Environmentally Controlled Technologies
Funding : LIFE
Duration : September 2018 – August 2023
Coordination :  Fundación Centro de Estudios Ambientales del Mediterráneo (CEAM) Status IFV : Partner

Summary :

The project aims to demonstrate the reduction of the environmental contamination of pesticides and their metabolites in the air in order to decrease of the pesticide risk for fauna, flora and humans.

This general objective leads to the following specific objectives:

  • To demonstrate the reduction of quantity of pesticide sprayed using recent Optimal Volume Rate Adjustment tools (OVRA) without affecting the efficacy of applications, both in citrus, with the ‘CitrusVol’ tool, and vineyards, with the ‘Dosaviña’ tool.
  • To demonstrate the reduction of quantity of pesticides in the atmosphere using developed drift reducing tools ‘TOPPS-PROWADIS drift evaluation tool’ and ‘Air-assisted sprayer vertical pattern tool’, and drift reducing techniques (low-drift nozzles, deflectors, etc.). .
  • To improve the knowledge of farmers, agricultural technicians, administration and governments about Optimal Volume Rate Adjustment and drift reduction tools to achieve an environmentally sustainable production.
  • To obtain a procedure for pesticides application with low emissions to the atmosphere and therefore with low impact over environment and people.
  • To modify, demonstrate and validate that an instrument developed through former Life project can be used for the direct measurements of pesticide in the air, including a business plan for its future exploitation.
  • To identify chemicals or secondary contaminants from the atmospheric degradation of pesticides and compounds used in their formulation that pose further health and environmental hazard due to their higher toxicity.
  • To identify chemicals and biomarkers of exposure in biological samples to have a better knowledge of their concentrations and to protect human health.
  • To promote the implementation of the Directive 2009/128/EC in Mediterranean Countries to achieve sustainable use of pesticides and to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment according to REACH.

IFV’s will participate in the project’s activities bringing the expertise of the Ecotech unit, specilised in spraying issues.

Contact
Xavier Delpuech

Website
http://perfectlifeproject.eu/

VITISAD II - Sustainable winegrowing strategies and practices for climate change adaptation

Project Title : Sustainable winegrowing strategies and practices for climate change adaptation
Funding : INTERREG POCTEFA
Duration : 2024-2027
Coordination : IFV
Status IFV : COORDINATOR

Summary :

The general aim of the VITISAD II project is to integrate adaptation to climate change into the agronomic practices of vineyards in the POCTEFA area (the European cooperation zone of the INTERREG program located in the Franco-Spanish Pyrenees) by defining common strategies and action plans. 

The work will involve i) testing a selection of planting material from a first program for tolerance to water and heat stress, and ii) testing the combination of practices to regulate the vine’s water status and limit soil erosion (mulch/mulching, underground irrigation, plant cover, vine shading, etc.). 

Finally, beyond agronomic and environmental expectations, iii) the practices will be effective from the point of view of their acceptability to public policies and civil society (development priorities, the place of the vine in the territorial project, water use strategies, etc.); it will also be necessary to identify the barriers and levers for their implementation by professionals in the sector, and finally to gather the consumer’s appreciation. The aim is to raise awareness of the risks and challenges facing the wine industry.   

The transfer of agronomic strategies to the profession is planned via various actions and media in the POCTEFA region (study trips, videos, conferences, etc.).  

IFV is coordinating this project, which involves 4 other partners on either side of the Pyrenees:
Pyrénées Atlantiques Chamber of Agriculture (France)
NEIKER: Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario (Spain)
Government of La Rioja: Dirección General de Agricultura y Ganadería del Gobierno de La Rioja (Spain)

More information :

Contact IFV

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OENOPROT - New digital and protein engineering technologies in winemaking processes to meet the challenges of the wine sector in the POCTEFA region

Project Title : New digital and protein engineering technologies in winemaking processes to meet the challenges of the wine sector in the POCTEFA region
Funding : INTERREG POCTEFA
Duration : 2024-2027
Coordination : IFV

Summary :

The wine industry in the POCTEFA region (an INTERREG cooperation zone centered on the Pyrenees) is facing major challenges. Climate change is leading to increased water stress and shorter grape ripening times. Efforts to mitigate these effects are mainly focused on cultivation methods, but winemaking processes will also have to adapt to new situations. 

The overall aim of the project is to develop new winemaking technologies through the multidisciplinary integration of protein engineering, design engineering, ohmic methodologies and artificial intelligence, in order to meet the challenges facing the wine sector in the POCTEFA region. 

The project will integrate the relevant players on both sides of the border, bring together technology development centers and facilitate the transfer of innovative and sustainable solutions for wine production, in order to increase the competitiveness of the territory and the European Union.

The project is coordinated by the University of Zaragoza (Spain).

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Carole Fleihes

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ECOSPHEREWINES - Improving ecosystem services in vineyard landscapes with high ecological value

Project Title : Improving ecosystem services in vineyard landscapes with high ecological value
Funding : INTERREG POCTEFA
Duration : 2024-2026
Coordination : IFV
Status IFV : Partner

Summary :

The ECOSPHEREWINES project focuses on improving vine-growing landscapes, a fundamental economic and tourism resource in the SUDOE area (the INTERREG program cooperation zone covering South-West Europe: Spain, France, Portugal), particularly in inland areas affected by depopulation and ageing, where preserving natural and environmental capital is crucial for rural communities. 

The aim of the project is to improve the ecosystem services provided by vineyard landscapes through the implementation of a network of green infrastructure in areas of high ecological value, as part of a strategy focused on their conservation and sustainable management, enhancing biodiversity and increasing their resilience to climate change.  

The ecosystem services approach to land-use planning has already proved to be an effective method for sustainable planning and management, particularly in urban areas. However, the application of this method in rural areas is hampered by a lack of specific data.

To meet this challenge, the project will analyze the state of the art at different landscape scales, identify the drivers and barriers to its implementation in vineyard landscapes, and design and test in pilot projects a methodology for selecting, calculating, measuring and mapping the most relevant ecosystem services at different scales. 

This work will enable scenarios to be drawn up for management decisions in winegrowing landscapes with similar characteristics, and solutions tested to be transferred and capitalized on at transnational level, in order to develop a more global and holistic management approach that enhances biodiversity, the environment and tourism and cultural services in rural areas of the SUDOE region.

The project is coordinated by the Juana de Vega Foundation. This organization is a private, non-profit foundation whose aim is to channel development opportunities into Galicia’s rural environment through research, training, dissemination and knowledge transfer.

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Fanny Prezman

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