The AgRI 2040 and Food 2040 frameworks will guide EU-funded research, innovation and market deployment across agriculture and food systems.
The European Commission has adopted a new Strategic Approach to Research and Innovation for competitive, resilient and sustainable agriculture, forestry, rural areas and food systems.
The approach brings together two connected frameworks: AgRI 2040, which focuses on agriculture, forestry and rural areas, and Food 2040, which covers food systems, including fisheries and aquaculture.
Both frameworks are expected to guide EU-funded research and innovation under Horizon Europe 2028-2034 and relevant parts of the European Competitiveness Fund.
Moving Research into the Market
The strategy aims to strengthen the agri-food innovation system from early-stage research through deployment and market adoption, according to a press release.
It places greater emphasis on addressing users’ needs and bringing researchers, businesses and end users together to develop and test solutions in real-world settings. The Commission said this approach could also help startups, scaleups and small and medium-sized enterprises bring promising innovations closer to market.
The strategy supports the objectives of the Vision for Agriculture and Food and the Strategy for European Life Sciences. It also complements the EU Bioeconomy Strategy by supporting innovation and sustainable value creation.
“Research and innovation can make a real difference to how we farm and manage our rural areas: from crops that can better withstand drought and extreme temperatures, to faster ways of detecting plant diseases, more sustainable crop protection and digital tools for smarter use of resources like water. Our task is to make sure these ideas do not stay in the laboratory, but are tested, adapted to local conditions and turned into practical solutions that can be used and scaled up. In this way, research can have a real impact on the ground, helping farmers and foresters respond to new challenges and build a more competitive, resilient and sustainable agri-food sector,” said Christophe Hansen, commissioner for agriculture and food.
“Europe is leading in science and research, but too many breakthrough solutions still struggle to reach consumers and markets. The ultimate goal is to help innovators, start-ups and businesses turn bold ideas into innovative solutions that boost competitiveness, strengthen food security, food safety, sustainability and resilience, and deliver real benefits for people and the planet. Europe can lead with confidence, unity and ambition,” said Ekaterina Zaharieva, commissioner for startups, research and innovation.
Euroseeds Calls for Plant Breeding Investment
Euroseeds welcomed the strategy’s recognition of plant breeding within the AgRI 2040 cropping systems area. The organization said investment in breeding, biotechnology and genetic resources will be critical to developing resilient, resource-efficient varieties that help farmers address drought, extreme temperatures and emerging plant health threats.
Euroseeds called for sustained support for plant breeding and seed innovation under FP10 and the European Competitiveness Fund. It also emphasized the need for cooperation among researchers, breeders, farmers and other industry participants to move scientific advances into practical use.
“Euroseeds welcomes the Commission’s clear recognition of plant breeding as a cornerstone of climate-smart, resilient and competitive cropping systems” says Yasmine Ambrogio, manager of research policy and project coordination at Euroseeds. “Europe’s breeders are already delivering varieties that help farmers respond to climate change, plant-health threats and resource constraints. This political commitment must now be matched by ambitious and sustained funding for plant breeding and seed innovation under FP10 and the European Competitiveness Fund, ensuring that scientific progress can be translated into practical solutions for European agriculture.”
Connecting Research with Practical Applications
Euroseeds also supports the strategy’s emphasis on strengthening connections among research, innovation, deployment and market uptake.
Turning scientific progress into practical solutions will require close cooperation among researchers, breeders, farmers and other participants throughout the agri-food value chain, the organization said.
Eight Areas of Action Under AgRI 2040
AgRI 2040 will concentrate on agriculture, forestry and rural areas. Its eight preliminary areas of action cover:
- Soils and agri-ecosystems
- Cropping systems
- Livestock systems
- The bioeconomy
- Multifunctional forests
- Rural areas
- Stronger agri-food value chains
- Digitalisation, artificial intelligence and robotics
Food 2040 will focus on food systems, including fisheries and aquaculture. Its six areas of action include healthy and sustainable diets, resource efficiency, consumer empowerment, aquatic food and the expansion of innovative and fair food-system solutions.
Six Priorities Shared by Both Frameworks
AgRI 2040 and Food 2040 are guided by six common priorities:
- Competitiveness, startups and scaleups
- Food security, resilience and preparedness
- Natural resources and circularity
- Food and feed safety, nutrition and health
- Fairness
- Global cooperation
Governance, technology, territories and communities will serve as common enablers across the two frameworks.
Stakeholders Seek Stronger Links to Deployment
The strategy is supported by a Commission staff working document examining the achievements, investments and results of the EU’s previous agricultural research and innovation strategy and the Food 2030 framework.
Stakeholder consultations identified the need for stronger connections among research, deployment and market adoption. Participants also called for closer alignment with users’ needs, improved monitoring and governance, and greater attention to competitiveness, resilience, sustainability, strategic autonomy, health, circularity, fairness and public trust.
Stakeholder engagement will continue as the two frameworks are implemented.
Brussels Conference to Help Shape Priorities
The next major milestone will be the EU AgRI 2040 Conference, titled “Future-proofing EU Agri-Food through Research and Innovation.”
The conference will take place Sept. 24-25 in Brussels. Hansen and Zaharieva will open the event, which will bring together agri-food stakeholders and members of the research and innovation community to help shape future EU priorities.
