The project “Development of a Real-Time Environmental Impact Assessment application for the production of agri-food products and support for certification schemes” was funded by the ”Innovation Investment Schemes” Action of the Central Macedonia Region within the framework of the Operational Programme “Central Macedonia 2014-2020”. The objective of this Action is to support research, technological development, and innovation, as well as to promote investments in the priority areas of the Research & Innovation Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3).

The proposed real-time sustainable agricultural production and agri-food resource management system aims to provide personalized and realistic sustainable valuation and carbon footprint calculation results for agri-food products. This is achieved by taking into account real field data and parameters, also incorporating sensors to collect real inputs in real-time. The Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) methodology is used as a basis for the analysis and quantification of environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of agri-food products, being a reliable tool for improving environmental performance and integrating it into certification practices and product branding.

The tool effectively addresses the disadvantages of existing systems, providing an innovative solution that fully adapts to the needs of each agri-food product. With the ability to collect and analyze real-time data at all levels of the supply chain, it enables accurate calculation of the carbon footprint and environmental impact of agri-food products. In this way, it offers significant competitive advantages, promoting economically viable production and encouraging investment in the agri-food industry. This innovation investment plan seeks new opportunities at regional, national, European and global levels to address challenges in the agri-food sector, bringing benefits to farmers, agriculturists, consumers and businesses. Overall, this integrated tool is expected to enhance the sustainable performance of the agri-food sector, promoting growth, competitiveness and environmental protection.

The Sustainability Engineering Lab (SEL), which belongs to the Energy Sector of the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Aristotele University of Thessaloniki, will actively participate in the development of the proposed tool, focusing on its calculation algorithms. This is expected to significantly contribute to the accuracy of calculations and the accurate capture of sustainable performance in the agri-food sector. In addition, the company Engineers for Business S.A., with significant experience in the development of technological tools in the ICT sector, will contribute to the successful exploitation of the tool. The implementation plan is planned to be broken down into specific phases, ensuring the gradual development and certification of the tool. With the support of the partners involved, it is expected to create significant opportunities in the agri-food sector, enhancing economic viability and promoting sustainable development.

More info at https://farmbenv.gr/