Imagine if farmers grew high-quality protein crops but could only sell them as cheap animal feed. This project helps them switch to selling those same crops as premium ingredients for human food. It's like upgrading a product from a basic raw material to a gourmet ingredient to make more money. They are testing this in real-world 'living labs' to make sure it actually works for everyone involved.
European farmers grow protein crops but sell them as low-value animal feed due to a lack of premium supply chains. This creates an over-dependency on imported feed and misses high-value market opportunities for human nutrition.
A user-friendly database of high-value protein cultivars and a set of sustainable business models tested in 5 living labs.
If you are a food manufacturer dealing with a lack of traceable, local protein sources — this project developed a database of high-value cultivars that provide a reliable, indigenous supply of food-grade ingredients.
If you are a farming group dealing with low profit margins from animal feed crops — this project developed new business models that allow you to enter premium human-consumption supply chains.
If you are a tech provider dealing with farmers who need help diversifying crop rotations — this project developed a decision support tool based on mathematical modeling to optimize protein crop systems.
Based on available project data, specific implementation costs are not provided, but the project focuses on underpinning economic value for all actors in the supply chain.
Yes, the project validates these systems across 5 multi-stakeholder 'living lab' innovation production systems to ensure they are competitive and sustainable.
Based on available project data, the project has created a user-friendly database of cultivars with high value potential, but specific licensing terms are not mentioned.
The project is specifically designed to support farming systems in meeting Farm-to-Fork strategic objectives and reducing dependency on imported feed.
The project period runs from 2022-09-01 to 2026-12-31, with the database serving as a valuable asset upon completion.
The consortium is heavily weighted toward commercial application, with a 48% industry ratio consisting of 12 industrial partners, including 7 SMEs. This strong private-sector presence, combined with 25 partners across 9 countries, suggests the resulting business models are designed for immediate market viability rather than purely academic interest.
Contact TEAGASC in Ireland for details on the protein cultivar database.
Contact us to find the right plant-protein cultivar for your food production line.
