Cajamar, in the creation of the first European network for innovation in horticulture
The EUVRIN initiative is backed by 50 research centers in 16 countries, among which are the experimental stations Cajamar Caja Rural, specializing in intensive agriculture Mediterranean. Brussels hosted last ebruary 1 the act of constitution of the European Network of Centres of Horticultural Research, EUVRIN for its acronym in English (European Vegetable Research Institutes Network), with the participation of 80 representatives from fifty technological institutes 16 countries.
The purpose of this meeting was to establish a first contact between researchers with a view to future collaborations and define the lines and main working groups and to raise the representation of R & D in the sector to the European authorities. Cajamar was represented at this event by Roberto García Torrente, director of Business and Cooperative Agro and Juan Carlos Gázquez, coordinator of Innovation and Transfer of the entity. Next to them, on behalf of the Spanish fruit and vegetable sector, also they attended by representatives of Coexphal, Tecnova and UAL.
Since 1975, Cajamar Caja Rural acts as a catalyst for innovation in permanent contact with the companies and the most dynamic professionals Spanish agriculture forefront, encouraging the adoption of new technologies, increasing productivity and sustainable cultural practices. At its facilities in Cajamar Experimental Station Palmerillas (Almería) and the Center Experiences Cajamar in Paiporta (Valencia) 50 people work daily, including researchers, technicians and field assistants, who have developed a total for the year 2014/2015 118 projects and experimental work and research, in collaboration with 65 companies and business associations and 25 research centers and national and international public bodies.
EUVRIN, coordination tool for R & D Europe
Constitutive session EUVRIN out five working groups around integrated production, fertilization, plant breeding and plant material, greenhouse structures and quality. These groups established for the coming months research priorities and the possibilities of implementing joint research programs under the ‘Horizon 2020’. In this regard, during the course of the meeting Inge van Oost, representative of the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission, explained the workings of the ‘European Innovation Partnerships’ (EIPs for its acronym in English: European Innovation Partnerships), comprising the entire value chain of research and innovation, and aim to integrate and coordinate efficiently to all local and regional stakeholders to ensure the competitiveness and sustainability of the European food supply. At present there are five EIP-up, focusing on active and healthy aging, agriculture, water, raw materials and smart cities and communities.
The initiative for creating EUVRIN has departed three institutions for the sector in Europe: the Assembly of European Regions Frutícolas, Legumes and Vegetables (AREFLH), which brings together producer organizations of 21 European regions and represents 45% of production; the European Fresh Produce Association (FRESHFEL: European Fresh Produce Association), which brings together all actors in the supply and distribution; and AGROLINK, representing research centers and transfer vegetables from Belgium. Specifically, the creation of this platform is part of the strategy ‘Task Force’, established in 2014 by AREFLH, FRESHFEL and EUFRIN (the European Network of Fruit Research Institutes, which has 43 partner institutions) and who have acted as proponents of the initiative to the European Commission.
EUVRIN is present in the network via www.euvrin.edu, where they will collect the contributions of the various working groups and a record of all participating centers.
Source: Cajamar
