Periodic Reporting for period 2 - Code Re-farm (Consumer-driven demands to reframe farming systems)
Reporting period: 2022-11-01 to 2023-10-31
Code:Re-farm addresses challenges deriving from intensive and extensive livestock production systems focusing on poultry and goat production.
Increased food demand has allowed fast growth of intensive livestock production systems, however, the linked adverse effects to the environment have also caused public scepticism. Additional to the environmental effects, intensification of livestock production is perceived as being detrimental to animal health and welfare that could undermine the quality of animal-derived products. In contrast, extensive livestock production systems are described as low-input systems considered critical to support the development of rural communities. They also contribute to environmental sustainability and the maintenance of ecosystems via conservation and improvement of biodiversity and landscape elements. Products are thought to be of superior quality, but because of the resource-limited environment in these systems the product safety is undermined.
The project aims to understand the relationship between husbandry systems and the intrinsic quality of animal products. Novel technologies will be developed which alongside conventional ones will be used to assess quality throughout the value chain covering the whole range of ‘farm-to-fork’. The deriving insights from this assessment will then be combined with those of societal demands and the ones from sustainability of production processes and will be presented on an intelligent analytics platform. These insights will also be exploited to drive alternative solutions that fit sustainable, consumer-driven business, reframing current value chains and business ecosystem management practices.
Increased food demand has allowed fast growth of intensive livestock production systems, however, the linked adverse effects to the environment have also caused public scepticism. Additional to the environmental effects, intensification of livestock production is perceived as being detrimental to animal health and welfare that could undermine the quality of animal-derived products. In contrast, extensive livestock production systems are described as low-input systems considered critical to support the development of rural communities. They also contribute to environmental sustainability and the maintenance of ecosystems via conservation and improvement of biodiversity and landscape elements. Products are thought to be of superior quality, but because of the resource-limited environment in these systems the product safety is undermined.
The project aims to understand the relationship between husbandry systems and the intrinsic quality of animal products. Novel technologies will be developed which alongside conventional ones will be used to assess quality throughout the value chain covering the whole range of ‘farm-to-fork’. The deriving insights from this assessment will then be combined with those of societal demands and the ones from sustainability of production processes and will be presented on an intelligent analytics platform. These insights will also be exploited to drive alternative solutions that fit sustainable, consumer-driven business, reframing current value chains and business ecosystem management practices.
During the first period, the Consortium gathered requirements from key stakeholders in the supply chains of poultry eggs, poultry meat, goat milk and consumers. A protocol was compiled for the entire project, used as a guide for all the necessary analyses, samples and data collection in the study as well as the steps to be followed for the health and welfare assessments for the two types of animals (goat, chicken). Health and welfare assessments were initiated in the first project period, while samples collection also started.
Analysis of the current situation in the goat and poultry sectors was also completed during the first period.
The ethics requirements both for research related issues and the protection of personal data, were investigated and a thorough but preliminary plan for the handling of data was also delivered.
During the second period, the project partners continued optimizing the novel tools, as well as the DSS and the consumer App, second versions of most of which are now available.
Samples collection and the health and welfare assessments were completed for the goat pilots. Analysis of the samples is also almost completed. For the poultry pilots the sample collection and the health and welfare assessments are ongoing from the newly recruited farms in Greece and Netherlands. Analysis of these samples runs in parallel.
Protocols for the taste panels were formulated. Three out of the four dairy product taste panels have been organized.
Ethics reporting and the project's DMP to respond to new required actions for both research related issues and the protection of personal data.
The work on the alternative business models advanced and a list of was constructed of alternative value propositions for the dairy and poultry industries in close collaboration with the stakeholders and experts in the sectors.
Dissemination of the project facts and news is continuous via the project’s social media channels and attempts are made to publish at least one post per week. The project website is also used to announce news and post interesting facts about the project. We are in constant communication with affiliated projects and frequently collaborate.
Analysis of the current situation in the goat and poultry sectors was also completed during the first period.
The ethics requirements both for research related issues and the protection of personal data, were investigated and a thorough but preliminary plan for the handling of data was also delivered.
During the second period, the project partners continued optimizing the novel tools, as well as the DSS and the consumer App, second versions of most of which are now available.
Samples collection and the health and welfare assessments were completed for the goat pilots. Analysis of the samples is also almost completed. For the poultry pilots the sample collection and the health and welfare assessments are ongoing from the newly recruited farms in Greece and Netherlands. Analysis of these samples runs in parallel.
Protocols for the taste panels were formulated. Three out of the four dairy product taste panels have been organized.
Ethics reporting and the project's DMP to respond to new required actions for both research related issues and the protection of personal data.
The work on the alternative business models advanced and a list of was constructed of alternative value propositions for the dairy and poultry industries in close collaboration with the stakeholders and experts in the sectors.
Dissemination of the project facts and news is continuous via the project’s social media channels and attempts are made to publish at least one post per week. The project website is also used to announce news and post interesting facts about the project. We are in constant communication with affiliated projects and frequently collaborate.
It is the first time that such an extensive study will be conducted for both goats & poultry farming systems, in an attempt to clearly highlight the links between husbandry techniques and intrinsic quality of the products. The project goes beyond typical quality assessment by: a) assessing holistically both quality and safety attributes of animal derived food products; compositional, physical, functional and health/microbiological properties will be investigated, b) taking into consideration animal health/welfare, directly linked to products’ quality, while also being a key societal demand and c) delivering novel tools & methods for facilitating quick & affordable data collection (related to quality assessments & animal health/welfare) along the value chain; novel instrumentation for on-site assessment of milk/eggs quality and safety traits and novel automated health & welfare monitoring technologies. This is fundamental to facilitate market adoption of tools that will guarantee final product quality. A Product Lifecycle Monitoring platform is also developed, which will enable the traceability of livestock products from farm to fork. Finally, a needs & societal demands assessment study will be performed to understand the changing demand side and trends and used to develop new business models that fit sustainable, consumer-driven business.
In terms of expected results, the project will contribute in understanding the links between husbandry systems and intrinsic quality of animal products in goats & poultry farming systems. This is part of the project’s Scientific impact. Furthermore, animal health & welfare aspects in each husbandry system are examined as part of the study. The novel tools/methods for product quality assessments, as well as for animal behaviour, welfare and stress analysis can become products on their own, but also be exploited as key parts of a Code: Re-farm methodology for ensuring product traceability. This is part of the project’s Technological impact.
The farmer will have the necessary tools to be transparent in terms of product quality and animal welfare. There is a clear societal demand for animal welfare and sustainable production systems, but we want to actually demonstrate that such farming systems get the respect they deserve in terms of the final product quality. This is part of the project’s Socio-Economic impact. The Code:re-farm DSS will also facilitate product authenticity and ensure direct linking of product quality with farming techniques. It may also act as a knowledge base for future research endeavours, thus having significant innovation potential. This is related to the project’s Scientific, Socio-Economic, Policy & Governance impact. The outcomes of the pilot study will be exploited for proposing modifications in the existing farming systems and management strategies. This may have a greater impact on the entire sector, along the value chain. This is related to the project’s Socio-Economic, Policy & Governance and Environmental impact. The project and proposed business models and novel instrumentation/platform, due to its innovation, has the potential to change/impact forthcoming regulations, standards and strategic plans. In fact, stricter regulations and more frequent controls may be applied, if technologies such as the one proposed will become available. This will have an impact obviously on food quality and safety, but also on human health.
In terms of expected results, the project will contribute in understanding the links between husbandry systems and intrinsic quality of animal products in goats & poultry farming systems. This is part of the project’s Scientific impact. Furthermore, animal health & welfare aspects in each husbandry system are examined as part of the study. The novel tools/methods for product quality assessments, as well as for animal behaviour, welfare and stress analysis can become products on their own, but also be exploited as key parts of a Code: Re-farm methodology for ensuring product traceability. This is part of the project’s Technological impact.
The farmer will have the necessary tools to be transparent in terms of product quality and animal welfare. There is a clear societal demand for animal welfare and sustainable production systems, but we want to actually demonstrate that such farming systems get the respect they deserve in terms of the final product quality. This is part of the project’s Socio-Economic impact. The Code:re-farm DSS will also facilitate product authenticity and ensure direct linking of product quality with farming techniques. It may also act as a knowledge base for future research endeavours, thus having significant innovation potential. This is related to the project’s Scientific, Socio-Economic, Policy & Governance impact. The outcomes of the pilot study will be exploited for proposing modifications in the existing farming systems and management strategies. This may have a greater impact on the entire sector, along the value chain. This is related to the project’s Socio-Economic, Policy & Governance and Environmental impact. The project and proposed business models and novel instrumentation/platform, due to its innovation, has the potential to change/impact forthcoming regulations, standards and strategic plans. In fact, stricter regulations and more frequent controls may be applied, if technologies such as the one proposed will become available. This will have an impact obviously on food quality and safety, but also on human health.