What is the problem/issue being addressed?
Absence of a Research Team in the Area of Food Processing and Technology at the Beneficiary Institution: The Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources at CZU Prague currently lacks a dedicated research team in food production and processing. This project aims to fill that gap in the research area.
Low Innovative Impact on Local Farmers: In a highly competitive environment, Czech agricultural and food companies have lost their innovation potential and are now heavily dependent on the import of know-how and technologies. The innovation potential should primarily be driven by SMEs, universities, and research institutions, which currently lack resources, including access to advanced technologies, skilled personnel, and novel ideas.
Why is it important for society?
The project aims to increase public interest in regional and healthy foods with preserved biological value. Czech society has a growing interest in regional, sustainable, and healthy food products, providing an opportunity to offer food-processing technologies to regional producers. Consumers in Czechia, as well as across the EU, are focused on the quality of food on the market. Unconfirmed double standards in food products have strongly resonated within Czech society. Supporting regional food production is one of the food policy strategies of the Czech Republic and a priority of the European Union, which also emphasizes equality among member states in terms of food quality. The agri-food sector is a strategic asset for all European countries and one of the largest and most important economic activities in the EU.
What are the overall objectives?
To Establish an Excellent Team of Food Technologists: The establishment of the DRIFT-FOOD team of excellence will strengthen the presence of the University, the Prague/Central Bohemian region, and the Czech Republic at the European and international levels in relation to advanced technologies for high-quality, safe, and sustainable regional food production. DRIFT-FOOD is the first ERA Chair project in the field of food production, quality, and innovative food technology in Central Europe. An important aspect of this team's work is to achieve scientific excellence through international scientific cooperation and integration in the fields of food technology, agricultural production processing, and, more broadly, nutrition, safety, and food quality.
To Enhance Scientific and Educational Excellence and Strengthen Scientific Knowledge in the Field of Food Technology: The activities of the DRIFT-FOOD team will support the development of new food processing methods as well as basic and frontier research, education, and training in agriculture, food technology, and nutrition. Research activities will create an impact on all steps along the food chain, from primary production to human health, with particular attention to agri-food production. When applied in practice, the impact of ERA Chair activities will positively influence the quality of life of European citizens.
To Enhance High-Quality, Safe, and Sustainable Regional Food Production: The project will deliver key research outputs in agri-food production, agricultural product quality, and food processing and technology to farmers and small producers not only in the Czech Republic but also in other European countries. The project will also support the dissemination of new interdisciplinary research outputs to society to improve public knowledge about food processing, quality, and nutritional values, with the aim of providing a better understanding of the direct impact of quality food on human health.
