Aquaculture is the world fastest growing food production sector, providing over 50% of sea food, while capture fisheries remains static. However, there is increasing concern about its sustainable and profitable development. This challenge requires effective cooperation and communication between the academic and the private sector. The EASYTRAIN project tackles this challenge by developing innovative aquaculture systems based on the most modern techniques in the field of aquaponics using organic aquaculture feed formulas, which substitutes fishmeal by Spirulina and quinoa as filler. EASYTRAIN combines the expertise of two academic and four industrial partners from Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and Italy, with complementary expertise in the field of plant and fish farming, feed production, aquaculture engineering and micro algae biotechnology. The outcome of EASYTRAIN will be 6 researchers with experimental and transferable skills ready to cope with the future challenges of the prospect aquaculture sector.

The EASY Project has as its main objective the establishment of a technology that reflects the strategic guidelines for sustainable and profitable development of aquaculture in the EU. In order to follow these guidelines, this project has developed an innovative focused on the development of organic aquaculture feed formula. This formula completely excludes fishmeal and fish oil in its composition, and makes up to 50% cheaper production costs in our product (Tilapia fresh), allowing us to provide the end user, a product with high quality, traceability and profitability. Although Global aquaculture production is increasing, particularly Asian production, European production is stagnated. In EU Countries there is a strong trend in healthier and higher quality fish consumption, furthermore, consumer are requesting fast and comfortable food products without compromising its quality and safety. Obtaining raw material (spirulina and quinoa) inside of our facilities for the production of feed, along with the use of new technologies in the field of aquaponic, is undoubtedly the main key to the viability (feasibility) of EASY Project. The opportunity that this tool SME (Horizon 2020) offers drives the growth of the European inland aquaculture, create new jobs and position us as a world-leader in sustainable aquaculture. Analyzed by University of Murcia the results describe our fish as a very high quality due to the organoleptic properties, and perfectly suitable for the new market challenges. In Phase I our principal aim is to conduct a feasibility study including a business plan and market research with our partners regarding commercialization of the products, specially V range products (new formats), taking advantage over our Asian competitors, thus, becoming a leader in this growing market.

PestNu targets the field -testing and demonstration of digital and space based technologies (DST) and agro-ecological and organic practices (AOP) under a systemic approach to reduce the pesticides and fertilisers use, and loss of nutrients. The consortium brings novel DST including: AI robotic traps for real time pest monitoring; Autonomous mobile robots for pesticide monitoring and 3D spot spraying; Earth Observation missions with robust Agroradar AI algorithms to map soil/plant nutrients and pest plant inputs using Copernicus data/services; and in-situ and real-time nutrient analysers. All the DST will be interconnected to a user-centric cloud-based Farm Management System, which features a robust Decision Support System integrated with a blockchain based system for DST data evidence, integrity and AI models verification and with a cybersecurity platform to prevent cyber-attacks and IoT vulnerabilities. The AOP include: on-site production of biofertilisers from agricultural waste-waters through a robust automated drainage recycling system via an innovative enzymatic hydrolysis procedure; a novel foliar biopesticide formulated by circular bioeconomy operations, targeting fungal diseases with biostimulant effect; and advanced nutritional programs for organic farming. The showcase systemic DST & AOP solutions will be demonstrated and tested in aquaponic and hydroponic greenhouse and open-field vegetable cultivation in Greece and Spain. A Pesticide Reduction Program will evaluate the Maximum Residue and the Acceptable Daily Intake levels to ensure vegetable's food safety and LCA activities will be performed. All these systemic approaches will be performed under a strong collaboration among all the Farm to Fork stakeholders and European Commission services.