New farming, food and bio-based systems

The potential of bio-based and new farming approaches

Over the past few years, farmers have made efforts to transition to sustainability. However, these efforts are not necessarily recognised, nor do producers always receive a fair price for the food produced, which puts them under financial stress and makes them vulnerable. The bioeconomy presents substantial opportunities for agriculture, forestry, and the entire food system, while also supporting the reduction of critical dependencies.

The farming community can benefit from the development of bio-based value chains. These allow the valorisation of agricultural residues and the diversification of income streams. Primary producers gain an enhanced role within the value chain, which creates new employment opportunities in rural areas.

New farming approaches provide a promising alternative to traditional agriculture to increase farmers' competitiveness and meet growing global demand for food. Agricultural supply chains operate in an increasingly complex and dynamic environment characterised by:

new consumer demands,
new and sometimes game-changing technologies,
changing structures and cooperation models.

The use of new and innovative business models can generate higher income for producers while keeping consumer prices affordable and boost environmental and social benefits.

Research plays a vital role in understanding the complex interplay within food systems, contributing to improved efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. By investigating food chain dynamics and their interaction with non-food sectors, we can drive progress across both bio-based initiatives and new farming methodologies.

Research in action

From silos to diversity – small-scale bio-based demonstration pilots

Innovative business models and technologies in primary production sectors are crucial for harnessing the bioeconomy's potential in rural areas. By utilising underused biomass, especially agricultural and forestry side streams, small-scale bio-based pilots can achieve high-value applications.

PRIMARY: The project aims to create new business opportunities for farmers by upcycling agricultural waste like grass, cotton leftovers, and olive tree prunings across Europe. It aims to convert waste into useful products such as fertiliser, bioenergy, and biomaterial packaging while supporting regional economies and greener, resilient rural practices through circular methods.
HARWASTING: By revalorising biomass from forest and agricultural harvests, pruning waste, and bioethanol by-products, the project aims to boost the bioeconomy in rural areas. It will create innovative business models based on circular economy principles, using scalable technology to convert underutilised biomass into high-value products.
EMBEDED will turn waste from agrifood, feed, and forestry industries into biochar and construction boards. The project will establish modular production plants for regional markets, aiming to demonstrate new business models that offer long-term carbon storage and create resilient, local value chains.

Securing diversification and sustainability in agriculture

The diversity and diversification of farming systems can contribute to a sustainable European bioeconomy by securing stable revenues for farmers, lowering negative environmental impacts, and increasing resilience to climatic, economic, and biological risks.

Examples of projects include:

C4B aims to create business models to balance the share of power and profits across novel bio-based value chains to accelerate the development of rural communities and their economic viability and enhance the cooperation among farmers, foresters and industry.
PRIMED aims to integrate primary producers into innovative bio-economy value chains, fostering collaboration and utilising advanced bio-refineries to transform waste biomass into high-value bio-based products.
CARINA focuses on new sustainable and diversified farming systems including two new oilseed crops, carinata and camelina, which can provide multiple low iLUC feedstocks for the bio-based economy.
MAGIC and PANACEA demonstrated that the cultivation of industrial crops can provide new market opportunities and business models that do not interfere with food production.

Small scale bioeconomy solutions in rural areas

The bioeconomy is an opportunity to revive rural areas, create more innovative jobs in primary production and processing, contribute to generational renewal, and fight de-population in rural areas.

The following projects aimed to integrate small-scale bio-based solutions into mainstream practice across rural Europe, providing a broader range of rural actors with the opportunity to engage in and speed up the development of the bioeconomy:

BioRural established a new European Rural Bioeconomy Network and developed the BioRural toolkit with tutorials, fact sheets and success stories to empower Europe’s small-scale bioeconomy innovators.
MainstreamBIO developed a digital toolkit to better integrate small-scale bio-based technologies, tailored business and technical support services, social innovations and good nutrient recycling practices with existing biomass and market trends.
RuralBioUp aided innovators to scale-up inclusive and small-scale biobased solutions in rural areas.
SCALE-UP adapted and evaluated tools to assist regional actors in overcoming bottlenecks and fully exploiting bioeconomy potentials for community-driven development in European rural areas.

Sustainability through geographical indications

The EU's high-quality food products, distinguished by unique characteristics and registered geographical indications (GIs), offer a competitive edge and enrich its cultural and gastronomic heritage. These quality schemes enhance rural and coastal economies, particularly in disadvantaged and remote areas, by adding value to locally rooted products and supporting tradition, culture, and geography.

GI SMART aims to support EU registered Geographical Indications in achieving better recognition and improved implementation of their sustainability benefits, including by balancing environmental concerns, economic viability, and social equity.

Organic food innovation labs: reinforcing the entire value chain

Investing in innovative processing methods, sustainable packaging, and efficient distribution and logistics is crucial for the organic sector. Enhancing understanding of quality and safety in organic supply chains, alongside regulatory measures, is essential for creating added value for consumers.

InnOFoodLabs aims to transform organic value chains into pillars of local economies focusing on small-scale food processing, sustainable packaging, farmer-processor connections, and innovative supply and distribution models.
WINN-ORGANIC will establish Organic Food Innovation Hubs in seven countries to serve as testbeds for new solutions, from eco-friendly packaging and open-source digital tools to gentler processing techniques for organic fruits, vegetables, and dairy.

Short and sustainable food supply chains

The development of innovative and sustainable food chains supports the diverse needs of communities and businesses, in a responsible and ethical way, hence leveraging the position of farmers in supply chains and fostering sustainable growth and jobs in rural areas.

The FOODRUS, SHEALTHY and FOX projects create sustainable and competitive fruit and vegetables value chains avoiding food loss by deploying technological, social, financial, legal, educational, political, labelling and innovative solutions.
The COCOREADO project connects consumers and producers and trained farmers to leverage their position in the food chain.

New farming systems

Innovative farming systems, such as urban agriculture, are rapidly emerging as innovative solutions to global challenges, enhancing food security, environmental sustainability, and economic stability. The European Forum on Urban Agriculture (EFUA) is an EU-funded project that investigated the role of urban agriculture as an innovator in the agricultural and food sector and the urban economy.

Urban agriculture takes various forms:

Uncontrolled Environment Agriculture (UEA) involves open-space and in-soil farming in urban and peri-urban areas, such as vegetable gardens, rooftop gardens, and community farms. UEA promotes organic farming, urban greening, biodiversity, and local economic growth, fostering social cohesion. Projects like FOODCITYBOOST aims to bridge the urban-rural gap through innovative urban farming solutions.
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) utilises controlled conditions to optimise agriculture, including greenhouses, vertical farms, hydroponics, and more. CEA helps preserve resources, reduce chemical use, and improve climate resilience and nutrition.

Advancements in innovative farming technologies, such as robotics-boost efficiency, increase farm profitability, create jobs and drive economic growth.