Thematic Smart Specialisation Platforms for Agri-Food / Industrial Modernisation

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1 Contribution ID: b595039f-ef81-4dd5-811d e6c879 Date: 01/11/ :52:44 Thematic Smart Specialisation Platforms for Agri-Food / Industrial Modernisation Expression of interest for the development thematic sub-areas Fields marked with * are mandatory. EU regions and member states are invited to propose a thematic area that is of their interest and it is linked to agri-food or industrial modernisation and their smart specialisation strategies (RIS3), and in which they wish to collaborate on with other regions or members states in perspective of starting a partnership for co-investment in the development of new value chains. Submissions are welcome from one region or a group of regions which are keen to act as coordinating/leading region(s). To submit your proposal, please fill in the survey below. Title of proposed subtheme/focus area 1

2 * Please indicate the most relevant Thematic Platform for your proposed area: Agri-food Industrial modernisation * Your name Cristian * Your surname Gotia Crețiu * Region / country West Region Romania * Your affiliation and function within the institution Smart Specialization Consultant * Your cristian.gotia@adrvest.ro Your telephone

3 * Description of the proposed subtheme/focus area The scope of our policy is to provide support to agri-food sector in order to create an efficient innovative chain from farm to fork. This can be achieved trough supporting two major pillars: research and innovation in organic food and business model development for small scale traditional producers. Orienting support towards SMEs in agri-food will help them to scale up an already worldwide growing market and will provide space for local producers to contribute with value added products within the local value chain and possibly in the future within the international value chain s. SMEs need support creating the whole value chain from farm to fork meaning: efficient production, certification, packaging, branding and marketing. All these basic steps need extensive support of innovation and business infrastructure support development to help agri-food producers to meet necessary quality certificates for their specific products and to meet health and safety standards. Regarding the relation to the country s RIS3, it also supports the agri-food, by means of: - Environment biotechnologies - development and implementing effective environmental biotechnology for sustainable development based on pollution reduction - Foodservice biotechnology development of agri-food biotechnology, having as main objectives the development of methods, means and biotech products to increase the quality and quantity of bioresources in the context of climate change and growing demand for quality food products. * Are you involved in the design and/or implementation of research and innovation strategies for smart specialisation (RIS3) in your region/member State? Please explain. As a regional expert, dealing with regional policy I was involved in different types of related activities: regional statistics, regional studies and regional planning. After contributing in updating the RIS strategy for the RIS3 became a professional challenge so I was involved during the elaboration of the regional assessment and strategy. The assessment was performed trough different regional reports with the support of the World Bank who preformed the work and the methodology witch I have participated at. Furthermore I was involved on the elaboration of the strategy focusing on several areas such as agri-food. * Please explain the transformative nature of your proposal. What are you aiming to achieve? 3

4 The proposal aims to support improvements trough innovation over the segments of the value chain for the small traditional scale farms: 1. From traditional production to certified traditional production now small producers are performing a subsistence agriculture that is still traditional but a new class of agricultural producers is arising within people holding an university education that are already oriented towards traditional agriculture in order to increase the value added of their products. Both categories need the support of certification so their production will be protected and promoted to its right value. 2. From using traditional seeds to certifying genuine local sorts while organic products are emerging on the markets more and more consumers choose to buy genuine products based on local seeds, and sorts. Organic producers rely on producing and selling traditional products specific to geographical area. They need the support of RDI institutions capable to determine the genetic specificities of the products. 3. From selling raw products to selling premium processed products adding value to agriculture activities means to start processing and preserving products. While traditional recipes still exist the challenge is to register them as a trademark and to provide the processing infrastructure. Thus investments in developing a processing infrastructure to be used in common by different producers can be supported by clusters or by local development agencies. 4. From basic packaging to premium packaging and branding traditional products need to stand out from regular products helping the customer to understand the specificities of the product and to decide to buy it. The right labeling combined with branding is a mix where consultancy companies and producer support associations will take action. 5. From season dependable prices to a closer producer-client pricing good seasons are not always favorable to agricultural producers forcing them to sell cheap to intermediaries while the end-users are affected and can be mislead by the distributor un-differentiated labeling. It is needed a system to provide a direct match-making between producer and client, close to the model of proximity agriculture, where the client can visit and see the producer and producing methods. IT platforms can be developed for interaction, ordering and planning the daily basket. 6. From traditional distribution to smart logistic for controlling activities and reducing costs, the producers need the support of smart logistic, a service that usually he cannot afford and is not cost-efficient for small activities. There is here place for a public investment to create a business-support infrastructure that offers the legal and sanitary conditions for implementing the following activities: o Collecting products; o Cold storage and controlled environment storage; o Warehouse management; 4

5 o o selling. Processing line; Web platform for stocks management, exchange goods, direct online Exploring ICT sectorial linkages represents also a potential channel for growth of the added value. 5

6 * Please detail main challenges in relation to your proposed sub-area that may be addressed through interregional collaboration. The main challenges that are addressed consist in: - innovative approaches to nutrition education and related services targeted to different age groups of consumers, developed based on the latest knowledge of a healthy and balanced diet and based on experimental behavioral studies with consumers; - introduction of innovative consumer products that use regional healthy food; - promoting genuine local sorts of plants, vegetables and fruits meaning identifying genetic and taste characteristics, labeling registering and start producing trough traditional methods; - increasing productivity and reducing costs to strengthen the local producers trough innovation; - improving warehousing by creating a business support infrastructure that will provide logistical support; - introduction of innovative fertilizers, methods of production, manufacturing and processing and storage of food, in order to maintain its quality and with minimal impact on the environment (eg. waste, biodegradable packaging, organic fertilizers), - starting processing activities by local products on local traditional recipes within the business support infrastructure; - the introduction of innovative approaches to ensure food quality on the basis of new methods, technologies and processes, inspection and certification; - strengthening regional brands through innovative business models and marketing innovations (also using new designs and materials in packages), leading to increased competitiveness; - opening new markets and developing new business models based on IT platforms. The Regional Operational Programme , that is a common issue for the partners is not customized enough on business niches of key sectors, food and agri-food included, and on the regional specificity of the business environment. These are aspects that should be improved. One way to increase the competitiveness of the region is related to the creation of high value added niches, based on technology driven innovation. Together with the introduction of entrepreneurship and innovative business development courses, a large network of business incubators, accelerators and ad hoc training activities offering a wide range of services (such as: working spaces; coaching services for entrepreneurs; exposure to foreign experiences, and networking opportunities), should be set up. 6

7 * Please indicate any commitment and political support (regional/national level) for this proposed sub-area. Please also indicate approximate amounts and sources of funding to be provided during a period of at least 2 years. Although NICHE is not aiming to immediately support the investment in business support infrastructures, the current proposal will encourage and support the identification of necessary future investment, and around them all resources needed to make them operational: knowledge, innovation, networking, expertize and service portfolio. Regarding the commitment and the political support we need to mention that partner organizations have a strong connection with their regional political environment. West Regional Development Agency is coordinated by the Regional Development Board composed of the Presidents of county councils and one representative of each category of municipal councils, town and city in each county of the region. Due to the partners institutional status, they all have the possibility to support the food sector by influencing regional policies financing the sector trough Regional Operational Programs The project concretely addresses: Priority Axis 1. Promotion of technology transfer; Thematic Objective 1 consolidation of research, technological development and innovation; Investment priority 1(b) which specific objective focuses on the increase of innovation in companies through supporting innovation and technology transfer entities in the fields of smart specialization. The aim of these investments consist in achieving a broader transfer of research results into innovative commercial applications and aim the consolidation of the smart specialization sectors at regional levels, in order to ensure an efficient capitalization of comparative advantages. The measures funded under this thematic objective will be business oriented. * Which other regions/countries are interested in this proposed sub-area? Describe their interest and current level of commitment as well as complementarities and value added. Also, please add contact details. The following partners from NICHE project have at the core of their RIS3 strategy the agri-food. Border, Midlands and Western (BMW) Region, Ireland Donegal County Council, Ireland is represented in the North and Western Regional Assembly (MA for the ROP). Contact person: Michael Tunney michael.tunney@leo.donegalcoco.ie There is a low level of Industry R&D projects from the BMW Region already highlighted in the Needs Analysis for the region. Ireland has a strong track 7

8 record in supporting SMEs to innovate to produce products and services for market. The interest, at regional level, is to increase the level of innovation within food businesses across the Food Value Chain, to accelerate the commercialisation of research outputs and to boost the development of added value products by companies in the food sector. Of Particular interest is how drive the adoption of the innovation management processes within the food sector. The aim is to achieve this through interagency collaboration between research institutes, food businesses and state agencies and to encourage companies to access expertise and resources to develop new and improved products, processes, services and new knowledge and know-how. Kujawsko Pomorskie Region, Poland Kujawsko Pomorskie Voivodeship Contact person: Anna Draspa Top quality and safe food - food production, fertilizers and packaging is one of the smart specialization in the regional RIS3. Identified specialization applies to the entire process of producing top quality food products, starting from agriculture to food processing and commercialization. Aiming to increase industrial companies that cooperate in the field of innovation related to milestones activities within food production: fertilizers and packaging and logistics processes (e.g. distribution, warehousing). The potential of specialisation: Adoption of the best food production system as a specialisation within the smart specialisation in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie finds its roots in the very high level of agriculture in the region, supported by a high and very high class of agricultural land as well as a developed sector of food processing. Profile of regional universities is particularly important which is an additional justification for this specialisation. Protection of human life and health through the implementation of innovative solutions at all stages of production and marketing of food are key values of this specialisation. The idea of specialisation in the field of the best, safe food results from the functioning of the spatiotemporal system, shaped as a farm-to-table system with all the related aspects of production and services. Food security refers to the food chain, understood as the sequence of the various stages and processes involved in the production, processing, distribution, storage, handling of food and its ingredients, from primary production to final consumption. These are all the conditions being shaped, too, as well as actions taken at all stages of production and marketing of food to provide the protection of human health and life. Specialisation also includes related branches such as: fertilizer production, packaging production and logistics processes (eg. distribution, storage). The synergy of specialization consists in: the creation of new solutions in the area of ICT and new technologies, supporting production processes, processing and sales (eg. precision agriculture as a computerized and integrated agricultural production systems, measurement and control, eg. for testing the moisture 8

9 level of soil quality and water levels), use of biosmart innovative and eco-innovative solutions green economy in the area of use of industrial waste (packaging), use of solutions for modern and innovative industrial automation for efficient production, processing and production of healthy food. Crete, Greece Region of Crete Contact person: Evaggelia Vrontaki Agri-food identified as key sector in the socio-economic development of the region. Aiming to develop the strategic specialization sectors of RIS3 with application of innovation, technology and knowledge in their entire value chains. Agri-food (production, packaging, food processing, etc.) as one of the four smart growth sector identified in the RIS3 in the region. * Please describe the extent to which this sub-theme is supported by businesses (clusters) and/or academia and/or civil society in your region. 9

10 West RDA is leading the consortium implementing NICHE Building innovative food value chains in regions, project funded under Interreg Programme. 6 other European regions from Ireland, UK, Finland, Estonia, Poland and Greece where food is identified as smart sector in their Smart Specialisation Strategies are involved in the project. By working together, the NICHE partnership aims, by 2019 and through the improvement of existing policies, achieve an average 15 % increase in the adoption of research and innovation solutions by food sector companies in their regions to give response to the demand of this sector identified as high potential sector for their smart growth. In doing so is key the creation of the right conditions to maximize all this existing potential in the way of establishing effective open innovation ecosystems, at both regional and interregional level, that will bring together all the relevant actors to facilitate technology and knowledge exchange that will be translated in new products and services. The project will establish these ecosystems that will last beyond the NICHE's lifecycle and where involved stakeholders will benefit of a more effective and productive way of collaboration. This proposal will enhance NICHE project by strengthening the already put in place collaboration between regions and by stimulating the growth of the sector by bringing forth good practices with business impact. Within the Niche project we already established the contact with the relevant stakeholders that will support us during the project as they already have been actively involved in the development of the Regional Operational Programme and the RIS West RDA has the capacity to mobilize the members of these organizations such as universities, RDI institution, NGOs and to actively involve them in the interregional learning process. The local administration will be involved to invest on the business-support infrastructure. The regional HEIs and research institutions will provide, on the one hand, the good practices within the project and on the other hand, the knowledge for developing innovative models in the agri-food sector, but also skilled young entrepreneurs. They will also play a significant part during the interregional learning process, through their participation in the workshops, site in visits and tailored staff exchanges. Therefore, the regional stakeholders will be actively involved at all project levels, from sector related knowledge creation and sharing to capitalization of good practices following an interregional learning process. The technology transfer centres within the universities and the Chambers of Commerce and Tehimpuls Regional Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre will significantly contribute to the implementation of the research activities and design of the logistical aspects. NGOs supporting small local farmer will contribute with their network in disseminating the information and creating a critical mass that will use the infrastructure. The clusters have common understanding on their specific role in creating the support infrastructure and are focused on actions based on the challenges of the existing regional business environment. NICHE partner regions are already working with the same type of institutions in order to achieve the project goal so this project will benefit from a large and diverse support. 10

11 * Please provide some details related to the implementation of your proposal from its conception phase to the development phase of concrete investment projects, including milestones and expected outcomes at each phase. This project will go hand in hand with NICHE Interreg project, as it offer the basis of policy improvement on the first stage and influence further the Regional Operational Programs investments on the second stage. According to this framework, the project follows the milestones: 1. Mapping and identifying the missing links between the already existing business support and the requested facilities and services for entrepreneurs to support: innovation, production, certification or logistic. The outcome of this stage is to have a clear image of the supporting agri-food system in order not to duplicate already existing or ongoing investments. 2. Mapping the needs of regions in order to develop business models that support our target group. The outcome is to evaluate the feasibility of the ongoing business as usual within the regions and to see alternatives for developing new business model that sustain and can scale up future production. This will offer an image of the existing needs, services, business and investment that complete the value chain. 3. Creating and testing possible network of producers within regions. The outcome is to understand the weak links between the network of producers in relation to food safety, traceability and delivering trough the logistic chain. 4. Design the investment project concepts. The outcome of this stage is to propose to the regional administration the investment plan that supports regional agri-food within an integrated concept that can meet regional development objectives with the current market and entrepreneurial dynamic. Please include any additional comments. 11

12 * *Do you agree that your proposal, your name, institution and address are published at the S3 Platform website? Yes No Thank you! S3 Platform Contact 12