The Federació de Cooperatives Agràries de Catalunya and the Fundació Centre de Recerca en Agrotecnologia sign an agreement to strengthen the connection between research and the needs of agricultural cooperatives
Agrotecnio and the Federació de Cooperatives Agràries de Catalunya (FCAC) have signed a collaboration agreement aimed at bringing research and innovation closer to Catalan agricultural cooperatives and facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technology to the agri-food sector.
The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration between the two organisations to identify challenges and needs within the cooperative sector and connect them with Agrotecnio’s scientific and technological capabilities. The aim is to promote the development of projects that can turn research-generated knowledge into solutions applicable to the reality of cooperatives and their member farms.
The collaboration will cover different areas of interest to the agricultural sector, particularly those related to sustainability, competitiveness, innovation, resource-use efficiency and adaptation to the new challenges facing agriculture.
Connecting research with the needs of the sector
One of the main objectives of the agreement is to strengthen knowledge-transfer mechanisms, helping research results reach the sector and contribute to improving the activities of agricultural cooperatives.
In this regard, FCAC will contribute its first-hand knowledge of the needs of agricultural cooperatives and its ability to connect with the territory and producers, while Agrotecnio will contribute its scientific, technological and innovation capabilities.
The aim is to create new opportunities for collaboration, R&D&I projects, knowledge-transfer activities and pilot initiatives that can address specific challenges facing the sector.
Ramon Sarroca, President of FCAC, said: “Innovation only makes sense if it is able to respond to the real challenges faced by cooperatives and their members. This agreement allows us to better connect the needs of the sector with research knowledge and capabilities, and turn this connection into new opportunities.”
José Antonio Bonet Lledós, Director of Agrotecnio, added: “Collaboration with the productive sector is essential to ensure that scientific knowledge has a real impact on the territory. Working together with FCAC will allow us to gain first-hand insight into the needs of cooperatives and explore new ways of transferring research results to them.”
A commitment to a more innovative agriculture
The signing of this agreement reinforces FCAC and Agrotecnio’s commitment to an innovation model that is more closely connected to the territory and to the needs of agricultural professionals.
The collaboration will also make it possible to explore opportunities for joint participation in projects and funding calls at Catalan, Spanish and European level, as well as facilitate the creation of networks between cooperatives, researchers and other stakeholders across the agri-food chain.
Through this agreement, both organisations aim to strengthen the innovation capacity of Catalan agricultural cooperatives and help them anticipate the challenges facing the sector, incorporate new knowledge and develop solutions that improve their competitiveness and sustainability.
