Project BIOVALUE: Fork-to-farm agent-based simulation tool augmenting biodiversity in the agri-food value chain.

The approach of BIOVALUE project is to set-up a holistic perspective, under the “multi-actor” approach, to analyze the link between biodiversity, the agro-food value chain agents, the environment, consumer food preferences and health. 

By employing a bottom-up vertical approach to develop the BIOVALUE TOOL, a dynamic and customizable agri-food value chain vis-a-vis biodiversity analysis tool, the proposal tries to introduce, model, evaluate, breed, produce and spread specifically selected genetically diverse underutilized crops (cereals, legumes, leafy and fruity vegetables) and develop final marketable, certified and labelled culinary products incorporating them (dish recipes and processed foodstuff), that enhance agro-biodiversity to the applied agro-ecosystems and appeal to the consumers, securing their future market performance and concurrently, their cultivation viability. 

Moreover, in a modelled user-friendly ready-to-work framework, the project produces a set of key performance indicators destined to measure policy quality and impact, environmental evolution and compliance with regulations of introducing underutilized, genetically diverse crops to the value chain and are by design expandable to further enhance biodiversity in the value chain. 

Ultimately, this expanding nature, is highlighted by the complimentary effects of BIOVALUE processed and unprocessed final food products and dishes such as low energy consumption, environmental cultivation resiliency to marginal landscapes and future climate, as well as nutritional and health benefits. Incorporating the market power in the whole approach, the proposal can lead towards self-supported sustainability of biodiversity in the future.

Our main tasks

• Review of agent-based modelling tools
• BIOVALUE tool architecture and model development specification
• Dynamic and modular model of the agri-food value chain
• Interface design and development and normative usage

Partners

CAPNUTRA – CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT IN NUTRITION RESEARCH | ALMA MATER STUDIORUM – UNIVERSITÀ DI BOLOGNA | ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALONIKI (AUTH) | AXIA INNOVATION | BIOLAND BERATUNG | CONFEDERAZIONE GENERALLE DELL AGRICOLTURA ITALIANA | CYPRUS UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY | ECO-SENSUS | ECOZEPT FRANCE | EGE UNIVERSITY | ESTONIAN UNIVERSITY OF LIFE SCIENCES | GEORGIAN FARMERS ASSOCIATION | IDENER.AI | JUSTUS-LIEBIG-UNIVERSITY GIESSEN | MEDITERRANEAN AGRONOMIC INSTITUTE OF CHANIA | NIBIO NORWEGIAN INSTITUTE OF BIOECONOMY RESEARCH | SOLINTAGRO

Start date – finish date

10 / 2021 - 09 / 2025