Fork-to-farm agent-based simulation tool augmenting BIOdiversity in the agri-food VALUE chain

Project Information

BIOVALUE

Grant agreement ID: 101000499

DOI

10.3030/101000499

Project closed

EC signature date 5 May 2021

Start date 1 October 2021

End date 30 September 2025

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy

Total cost

€ 5 993 562,50

EU contribution

€ 5 993 562,50

Coordinated by

ARISTOTELIO PANEPISTIMIO THESSALONIKIS
Greece

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - BIOVALUE (Fork-to-farm agent-based simulation tool augmenting BIOdiversity in the agri-food VALUE chain)

Reporting period: 2024-10-01 to 2025-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Agro-biodiversity, meaning the cultivation of different crops at farm level, is a fundamental component of sustainable agriculture and healthy ecosystems in Europe. Diverse cropping systems support soil life, help control weeds and pests naturally, improve resilience to climate stress, and contribute to healthier and more productive agro-ecosystems. Despite these well-known benefits, crop diversification in Europe has steadily declined over recent decades. This decline is driven by multiple factors along the agri-food chain, including standardized processing technologies, cost pressures, market concentration, and changing consumer food preferences that favor a limited number of crops and products.

This loss of diversity has important consequences for society. Reduced crop biodiversity makes farming systems more vulnerable to climate change, pests, and diseases, while also limiting dietary diversity and weakening the connection between food choices, environmental sustainability, and human health. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated action across the entire food system, from what is grown on farms, to how food is processed and distributed, and ultimately to what consumers choose to eat.

The BIOVALUE project was designed to respond to this challenge by adopting a holistic “fork-to-farm” approach. Rather than focusing only on agricultural production, BIOVALUE examined biodiversity across the full agri-food value chain, starting from consumer food choices and diets, moving through food processing and supply chains, and reaching back to farming practices. By doing so, the project aimed to identify innovative and practical ways to reintroduce and sustain crop diversity in European agriculture.

BIOVALUE is particularly focused on underutilized and non-utilized crops that have high potential to enhance biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and nutritional quality, but are currently marginal in modern food systems. The project developed guidelines for diversified and healthy dishes and food products, explored consumer acceptance of such products, and applied advanced data analysis, machine learning, and modelling techniques, to assess how these crops could be successfully integrated into farming systems and markets.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the first reporting period (RP1), the consortium established the scientific and technical foundations of the project, providing a solid background on agri-food value chains, biodiversity, and consumer behaviour. Underutilized and non-utilized crops were carefully selected, multiplied, and distributed among partners for experimental use, ensuring the smooth implementation of field trials. In parallel, novel food dishes based on these crops were developed and shared with the public through a recipe booklet, promoting awareness of diverse and healthy nutrition.

During the second reporting period (RP2), a comprehensive analytical framework was developed to assess biodiversity across agri-food value chains, combining economic, environmental, and behavioural dimensions. This work led to the development of an agent-based simulation model that allows users to explore how decisions by farmers, processors, retailers, and consumers interact and influence biodiversity outcomes. Environmental sustainability assessments of the selected crops were completed, along with progress in breeding activities and field trials. Labeling, certification, and traceability approaches were also examined to strengthen consumer trust and market uptake.

In the final reporting period (RP3), all remaining activities were completed and consolidated. The BIOVALUE tool was finalized, validated, and demonstrated as a fully operational decision-support instrument, and a chatbot was developed as well. Experimental results from agronomic trials, sustainability assessments, and value chain analyses were completed and synthesized. Final testing and evaluation of innovative food products and dishes provided insights into consumer preferences, acceptance, and willingness to adopt biodiversity-friendly foods.

Strong emphasis was placed throughout the project’s lifecycle on dissemination and exploitation, ensuring that project results will be accessible beyond the project’s lifetime through scientific outputs, policy-relevant materials, stakeholder engagement, and online platforms. As a result, BIOVALUE delivered a coherent set of tools, data, and guidelines ready for use by policymakers, researchers, and agri-food stakeholders.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

BIOVALUE goes beyond the state of the art by addressing crop biodiversity not as an isolated farming issue, but as a systemic challenge involving the entire agri-food value system and consumer behaviour. BIOVALUE combines experimental data, behavioural modelling, consumer studies, and advanced analytical tools into a single, integrated framework. On the basis of this approach, the project introduces a new way of behaviour and policy intervention named “FROM FORK TO FARM”.

BIOVALUE addresses these challenges by developing a holistic, bottom-up approach that explicitly considers how decisions made by different actors (farmers, processors, retailers, and consumers) interact and shape biodiversity outcomes. Through agent-based modelling and scenario analysis, the project demonstrated how targeted interventions, such as changes in consumer preferences, certification schemes, or value chain organization, can trigger positive feedback loops that support biodiversity.

Crop biodiversity plays a crucial role in improving soil health, controlling pests naturally, stabilizing yields, and increasing farm income security. However, many crops that could significantly enhance biodiversity — such as certain cereals, legumes, and vegetables — have largely disappeared from modern food systems because they are perceived as economically unviable. These market failures are linked to the public-good nature of biodiversity, where environmental benefits are not fully reflected in market prices. Farmers’ choices are therefore influenced not only by economics, but also by policy frameworks, social norms, and cultural factors. That is why BIOVALUE involves consumer behaviour and market promotion.

The project also showed that linking diet diversity with biodiversity awareness can have strong societal benefits. BIOVALUE raised awareness of the connection between healthy diets, environmental sustainability, and agricultural practices. These insights have the potential to influence consumer behaviour, encourage more diverse food choices, and create new market opportunities for farmers.

Society garners multidimensional benefits by playing an active role in reshaping the future agro-food systems. Individual food dish and dietary behaviours can provide a powerful and reliable message down and up the food stream, designating what and how to cultivate and process it. This behaviour brings about substantial health benefits as diverse plant-based diets lead to a society with less chronic diseases. Finally, by diets individuals realize that they can alter significantly the climate change course, not only by biodiverse food dish but also by thoughtful decisions on a circular economy.

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