Scientifically Based Solutions for a Sustainable Food System to Achieve the Goals of the European Green Deal (GreenAgroRes) Team of project Biruta Bankina Regīna Rancāne Laura Ozoliņa-Pole Guna Bundzēna Jevgenija Ņečajeva Inta Jakobija Duration 2024 - 2025 Research focus 3.Studies of the basic resources of the bioeconomy – land, soil, water – to ensure sustainable use and reduce pollution Source of funding National research programs Project partners Institute of Horticulture Institute of Agricultural Resources and EconomicsInstitute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR" Description of project Overall Aim of the GreenAgroRes Project:The overarching aim of GreenAgroRes is to develop knowledge and provide scientifically sound solutions for the sustainable and rational use of Latvia's natural resources, enhancing their added value in the context of changing socio-economic, environmental, and climate conditions.Defined Project Objectives:Analyze the impact of reduced synthetic plant protection product (PPP) loads on the productivity and quality of widely cultivated crops—especially winter wheat—by testing across different regions of Latvia;Investigate technological elements of cultivation for economically significant fruit trees, berry bushes, and vegetables, including smart solutions to reduce synthetic PPP usage;Study new or under-researched pathogens of legumes and vegetables in the context of changing climate and cultivation technologies;Develop proposals for sustainable and viable agricultural sector development under different scenarios of achieving Green Deal targets, through:(a) Assessing the most suitable farming practices in Latvia for implementing key Green Deal challenges;(b) Evaluating the cost and investment burden distribution among stakeholders (farmers, consumers, government, EU funds) for implementing these practices;(c) Comparing Latvia’s strengths and weaknesses with other EU Member States regarding the achievement of Green Deal objectives most closely related to agriculture;Analyze the link between antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antibiotic use in cattle and pig farms, and study the spread of major infection-causing agents;Collect food consumption data of Latvian residents on industrially and home-produced alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, with special focus on those containing added herbs or their products, dietary supplements, and typical Latvian products (e.g., teas, smoked fish and meat);Generate new knowledge to ensure a sustainable food system, including high-value reuse of food production by-products in compliance with food safety regulations, while preserving biologically active compounds, and promoting environmentally friendly, recyclable packaging;Develop an integrated method for assessing fish stocks in economically valuable lakes, using data from recreational, commercial, and scientific fishing (gear types, hydroacoustic measurements, and electrofishing);Analyze contamination and nutritional risk-benefit ratio for economically valuable fish as food products. Results The project will deliver scientifically based and Green Deal-aligned solutions for the sustainable and rational use of Latvia’s natural resources and increasing their added value, contributing to long-term positive socio-economic impacts. Expected Project Outcomes:17 WoS/Scopus-indexed scientific publications12 conference abstracts2 new products and technologies9 policy recommendations3 international scientific project proposals1 bachelor and 3 master theses defended11 other scientific outputs
