ERA-NET Cofund on Sustainable Crop Production

General introduction

A large network of 33 research partners from 28 countries collaborated in the ERA-Net Cofund SusCrop until 2023. This coordinated research around sustainable crop agriculture production in Europe had the guiding question "How will our long-term food security remain intact under climate change?" Short- and long-term research strategies have been developed. A solid research network now exists around the theme. The research activities now find their follow-up in the large-scale Green ERA Hub, which brings together 15 European networks around agri-food and biotechnology. The ERA-Net Cofund SusCrop, implemented under FACCE-JPI, the European Joint Programming Initiative, was tasked with strengthening the European Research Area at the triangle of agriculture - climate - food security.  

Research approach

Specifically, much work has been done regarding harmonization of data collection methods. There is now a strategic research roadmap for the coming years. And numerous projects have been carried out regarding sustainable crop production.  ILVO coordinated the communication tasks in the network. This meant e.g. dissemination of the cofunded call and its research results. In 2019, a workshop was orchestrated regarding methods for assessing sustainability and resilience. ILVO was also responsible for setting up an outreach seminar for international cooperation.

Relevance/Valorisation

SusCrop was an ERA-Net co-funding action under FACCE-JPI under H2020, which aimed to strengthen the European Research Area (ERA) in the context of sustainable crop production through better cooperation and coordination of different national and regional research programs. Europe wants to make progress in terms of knowledge and recipes for food and nutrient security under changing climate conditions through transnational collaborations in a network project. ILVO was able to reach a large group of experts as co-organizer of the SusCrop and FACCE-Surplus outreach seminar on sustainable crop and agricultural production for the future. The research activities and network from the SusCrop project that ended in 2023 will be continued in the Green ERA Hub, an initiative of 15 European networks around agri-food and biotechnology.

Funding provider(s)
EU Horizon2020