DIVERSIFOOD local activities

Within the DIVERSIFOOD project, many public local events are continuously held in all the involved countries with the overall goal of promoting food diversity and quality and exchanging good practices.

All the local events are organized with a multi-actor approach, to involve different stakeholders: from farmers to researchers, from breeders consumers.

In each country, the DIVERSIFOOD partners tried their best to valorize the local varieties, enhancing people’s awareness towards a new way of thinking food and agricolture.

 

FRANCE: Wheat and maize, legumes

(Image: INRA)
In France, the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) and the Réseau Semences Paysannes (RSP) organized many activities on organic and peasant wheat and on the creation, selection, evaluation and conservation of on-farm varieties of maize.
The Institut technique de l’Agriculture Biologique (ITAB) organized various public events on wheat populations and legumes.

 

ITALY: Wheat and barley

(Image: RSR)

In Italy many farm field visits were held since the beginning of DIVERSIFOOD project in different regions, organized by the Rete Semi Rurali (RSR). Various species of wheat and barley were tested, as well as and rotation crops.

At the same time, RSR is reflecting on seed legislation, organizing workshops on the integration between seed systems and community seed banks.

 

SWITZERLAND: lupin, legumes, carrots

(Image: FiBL)

(Image: PSR)

In Switzerland, the The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) organized many public events and share shops on lupin and legumes. Local food producers were involved by giving them place to present their products.

ProSpecieRara (PSR) also organized some public events on seeds cultivations: seed propagators and gardeners were updated with important information about PSR community seed bank. Another focus of PSR is purple carrots, with the objective of involving Chefs and commercial representatives in the breeding process of an old carrot type, to ensure the keeping or enhancing of the characterized taste properties.

 

SPAIN: Trainings on local varieties

(Image: RAS)

In Spain, Red Andaluza de Semillas (RAS) organized many training events for the development of the networks of farmer-researchers using local varieties. Training activities with different stakeholders to increase the technical knowledge in the production of vegetable seed were also organized.

HUNGARY: Tomatoes


(Image: ÖMKi)

In Hungary, the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (ÖMKi) is promoting landrace tomatoes among consumers and representatives of the gastronomy.

FINLAND: Workshop on crop biodiversity

(Image: ARCHE NOAH)

A DIVERSIFOOD workshop on “Enabling Crop Biodiversity on the Market” was organized in Helsinki on 22-23 November by ESVY – Southern Finland Organic Farmers Association, FOPA – Finnish Organic Farmers Alliance, Kymi Organic Coop, Kuhilas Ry and ARCHE NOAH.

 

CYPRUS: Food security @Researchers’ night

(Image: ARI)

In Cyprus, the Agricultural Research Institute organized a public event within the framework of the Researchers’ night, an international initiative held in September 2016 all around Europe. In Nicosia, scientists, farmers, policy makers, and the general public gathered together to share the importance of seeds and their diversity for the environment and food security.

 

UK: Field trials

(Image: ORC)

In UK, the Organic Research Centre (ORC) organized several field trials over Summer and Autumn 2016. The objective was assessing the suitability of ancient wheat species, Einkorn, Emmer and Rivet for Organic agriculture in the UK. Chickpeas, Quinoa and Buckwheat cultivars are also being tested, looking for suitable germplasms to be organically grown and marketed in the UK.