This community is characterised by the goal to develop innovation, sustainability, and data-driven solutions in agriculture and food production. It was primarily developed via the AGINFRA PLUS EU project where D4Science services were exploited by key stakeholders in agriculture and food to support researchers dealing with agro-climatic modelling, food safety risk assessment, and plant phenotyping.
Agri-food science is a dynamic and interdisciplinary field that integrates various branches of science to enhance our understanding and management of agricultural and food systems. It combines aspects of Earth sciences, such as soil science and climatology, to study soil health, crop growth, and the impact of weather patterns on agriculture. This helps in understanding phenomena like soil erosion, nutrient cycling, and the effects of climate change on food production.
Incorporating biology, agri-food science examines the diverse life forms involved in agriculture, from crops and livestock to beneficial insects and microorganisms. It explores the genetics, physiology, and behavior of these organisms, as well as their interactions within ecosystems. This biological perspective is crucial for improving crop yields, animal health, and sustainable farming practices.
Chemistry plays a vital role in agri-food science by analyzing the chemical composition of soils, plants, and food products. Understanding these chemical properties is essential for studying nutrient availability, soil fertility, and the presence of contaminants or residues. This knowledge supports the development of fertilizers, pesticides, and food safety protocols.
Physics is also integral to agri-food science, as it involves the study of physical properties and processes in agriculture, including water movement, energy transfer, and mechanical forces. Physical principles help in designing efficient irrigation systems, optimizing greenhouse environments, and improving food processing technologies.
Technology is a cornerstone of modern agri-food science, providing advanced tools and techniques for research and application. This includes the use of precision agriculture, biotechnology, and data analytics to monitor crop health, enhance breeding programs, and optimize supply chains. Technological advancements have significantly expanded our ability to produce food sustainably and efficiently, ensuring food security for a growing global population.
Gateway
AGINFRAPlus Gateway
The AGINFRAplus Gateway is a powerful online platform that provides researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders in agriculture, food, and environmental science with access to advanced digital tools, services, and datasets. Hosted on the D4Science infrastructure, AGINFRAplus Gateway promotes open science by enabling data sharing, collaborative workflows, and innovative research methods across these critical domains. The platform offers resources for data analysis, data integration, and modeling to support evidence-based decision-making and enhance agricultural sustainability.
DESIRA Gateway
DESIRA Gateway helps the project to develop the concept of Socio-Cyber-Physical Systems to advance understanding of the impact of digitisation in rural areas, linking analysis directly to the United Nation?s Sustainable Development Goals. DESIRA enrols agriculture, forestry and rural stakeholders in co-developing scenarios and policies in Living Labs established in 20 European Regions, and a Rural Digitisation Forum gathering 250 stakeholders from all Europe.