Abstract
Among other functions, the INIA is involved in national and international cooperation in the field of agri-food research. The process of identifying and classifying gaps in our knowledge forms an essential part of this effort. This article describes that process, the tools and the materials used to achieve the final objective, namely, the identification of research priorities in the Spanish agri-food sector in order to deal with the societal challenges posed by society and the stakeholders involved. These challenges, within the context of the bioeconomy, are the sustainability of primary and forestry production systems, the safety and quality of food and bioproducts as well as the competitiveness of farmers and companies in this sector. It is necessary to optimize resource management and means of production along with improved efficiency to guarantee sustainability throughout the value chain process. The main goal, under the current scenario of climate change, is to develop models which lead to a balance between food quality and production costs (competitiveness and economic sustainability), ecosystem conservation and mitigation of the environmental impacts (environmental sustainability) while maintaining the population in rural areas (social sustainability). These models will be based on new technology in both intensive and extensive production systems. They should support the improvement and valuation of traditional products together with the formulation and development of foods with new functionalities and quality while at the same time ensuring safety. As well as satisfying consumer demand, improved knowledge must lead to a more efficient use of our own resources and by-products within the framework of a circular economy, including the development of bioproducts, eco-innovation and eco-design.
Highlights
Define practices to mitigate the effects of climate change through agricultural or silvicultural practices which reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, including fertilization management and improved efficiency in the use of nitrogen
The development of bioproducts, using residues from the agri-food and forestry value chains as raw materials, or those designed to obtain biomass, will allow us to change from an economy based on fossil fuels to one which is based on renewable resources within the framework of a sustainable, circular economy
Among these new products are those which are destined for the food chain, the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry, chemical industry or energy production, considering second and third generation biofuels as new end products obtained from biological resources, and contributing to the development of the bioeconomy
Summary
It is normal practice to set research goals differentiated into three stages (Hanson et al, 1977): identification and classification of knowledge gaps, estimation of available knowledge level and classification of priorities. The criterion used was to utilize the framework of priorities set out in the “State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation” (2017-2020) for the social challenge 2 (Bioeconomy: sustainability of primary production and forestry systems, food safety and quality, productive, sustainable agricultural activity, sustainability of natural resources, marine and maritime research and bioproducts). Based on this criterion, the needs identified were grouped into six main areas: I.
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