![]() Research Officer in Teagasc’s Crop Science department Richard Lynch explains: “Each IPS will validate specific components of the supply chain from production to end-product formulation, addressing topics such as on-farm processing, nutrient tracking, life cycle assessment, logistics and packaging. With a focus on underpinning economic value for all actors in the supply chain, VALPRO Path will demonstrate and evaluate potential business models across five multi-stakeholder ‘living lab’ innovation production systems (IPSs). Such ingredients will then be used to convey a function in multiple consumer products such as confectionery goods, pastas, nutritional drinks and many more. In the context of food processing, VALPRO Path will exploit beyond state-of-the-art innovations in the processing and manufacturing of plant proteins into food grade ingredients, such as protein flours and isolates. Within Ireland, Teagasc researchers will focus on intercropping field peas with fava beans to mitigate against the risk of pre-harvest lodging, which is preventing the larger scale cultivation of an important protein crop. ![]() Crops such as field pea, fava bean, lentil, chickpea, lupin and peanut will be studied in terms of their suitability to specific regions, taking into account issues such as abiotic stress, yield variability and varietal selection. VALPRO Path will focus on high-yielding protein crops in five European pedo-climatic regions across Ireland, Italy, Germany, Denmark and Portugal. With this in mind, Teagasc researchers are leading a Horizon-funded project, VALPRO Path, with the objective of co-creating and demonstrating premium supply chain opportunities for the plant protein industry across Europe. There is also a need to increase resilience in farming systems to mitigate against increasingly volatile climate patterns and to support farming systems to meet EU strategic objectives.” Head of Teagasc’s Crop Science Department Ewen Mullins explains: “This direct transfer of crops into these lower-value markets and the lack of large-scale processing facilities to transform these products into high-value food ingredients mean that farmers are not gaining maximum value for what they already produce very well. Current production systems focus heavily on the production of feedstock for direct transfer into animal sectors in an attempt to counter the EU’s over-dependency on imported feed. The plant protein industry in Europe is poised for improvement and Teagasc researchers are leading the charge. Teagasc researchers are leading a project to create and demonstrate improved supply chain opportunities for the European plant protein industry. Botanic Gardens College of Horticulture.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |