As global competition for fresh and processed fruit increases, breeders and producers also have to deal with the effects of climate change and more pathogens, especially sharka disease, appearing in their orchards. EU-funded research traced the origins of stone fruits to discover genetic clues for better disease resistance.
Biofuels for aviation face numerous challenges in the journey from farm to flight. An EU-funded project has successfully demonstrated via test flights how biofuel can enter the aviation supply chain as a greener alternative to fossil fuels. Thousands of passengers have already taken flight on biofuel.
Hemp has been a source for materials, fibres and textiles for millennia. Now, an EU-funded project has used cutting-edge genomic approaches to boost hemp production, improve quality and advance scientific understanding of the crop. The research has led to new varieties and processes, providing a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibres and a wide range of other bio-based products.
A new European centre of excellence for the development of advanced technologies in sustainable agriculture and food security will open in Serbia with the aim to boost economic growth in the region.
