ICT-AGRI-FOOD's 2022

The scope of the 2022 Joint Call is based on the ICT-AGRI-FOOD vision, which explicitly sets out to bring together actors from across the entire food system (from conventional and organic supply chains) in a multi-actor approach. The challenge is to develop systems that are efficient, effective, equitable, trustable and transparent while enhancing sustainability of these.
Proposals should address one of the the following topic (s):
TOPIC 1 - Agri-food systems enabled by interconnected digital technologies that are more transparent to consumers, farmers and other stakeholders along the agri-food value chain
This topic includes data-driven systems enabling and promoting transparency for the various end- users along the agri-food value chain from producer to consumer, as well as for advisors, administrative authorities and the policy level (including improved data infrastructure, data management, data governance, data security and protection).
Projects investigate, develop, test, and use digital tools to fill information/communication gaps in the agri-food system along the food value chain. In doing so, the RDI process should start with mapping the value chain from producer to consumer, and in a next step identify and introduce critical points/process steps where information flow (and transparency) can be improved, and in a further step possible intervention tools could be proposed, integrated and tested. A focus should be on the
state of the art and missing technology solutions or the combination of digital tools and methodological gaps. Digital tools that are interconnected should be promoted. The potential transferability of developed solutions to other agri-food systems should be critically addressed.
TOPIC 2 - Identify, address and remove barriers for adoption of ICT technologies in the agri- food systems
This topic relates to identify and address institutional, economic and social barriers on the adoption of ICT technologies for achieving sustainability of the agri-food systems. The following aspects need to be included:
- Integrating social science research to understand social and cultural practices within e.g. farming, food processing, distribution and consumer behaviour aimed to identify mechanisms and models for enhanced adoption of technological solutions and data sharing within agri-food systems.
- Understanding how digitalisation affects structures and behaviour of actors: identifying successful value chains and business models, looking at governance, leadership and organisations within new innovation arenas (e.g. from start-ups to large companies, transition from small to large size with scale-up) of digitalised agri-food systems.
- Identifying solutions to develop more user-friendly technologies and services, such as ethical nudging tools (for e.g. direct marketing and shopping experience), information tools (e.g. social media, apps), gamification approaches, co-design etc.
- Stepping further from barriers identification towards concept solutions, including for example standard development (if applicable).
TOPIC 3 - Development and impact estimation (if applicable: evaluation) of data-driven reward and incentive systems to support sustainable and resilient farm management practices
These systems should involve and consider food value chain feedback loops and detecting actors that are willing to bear part of the cost of the engagement for strengthening ecosystem services (including carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection, soil fertility maintenance, protection of water bodies, avoidance of antibiotics, promotion of pollinators etc.). Projects should elaborate targeted advice and digital tools for new policies and regulatory frameworks or other incentive and reward systems.
Further Information:
https://www.ictagrifood.eu/node/44929