The Smart Specialization Platform for Agri-Food (S3 Platform) of the European Union (EU) aims to promote the development of interregional investment projects in the EU. The S3 Platform is a useful and practical initiative for EU regions and member states for implementing their smart specialization strategies. Through the S3 Platform , interregional investment projects are supported based on the priorities of smart specialization for agriculture and food. The platform is co-developed and co-directed by the regions themselves, which guarantees the active participation and commitment of all the actors in the territory: industry and business organizations, producer associations, public institutions, universities, and civil society.

S3 Platform has managed to forge collaboration agreements between European regions through the following investment projects:

1. High-Tech Farming (robotics, ICT, Big Data, Earth observation, etc.). The objective of this interregional agreement is the development of joint activities to accelerate the adoption of new technologies that can improve the performance of agricultural practices and farm management. The specific objectives are: adoption of advanced agricultural technologies in small and family farms; new solutions for the early detection of pests and diseases; and improving the health and welfare of livestock. The synergistic use of these instruments enables a shift to the paradigm of Sustainable Precision Agriculture. The agreement has involved more than 20 Regional and National Administrations that are working together to encourage the adoption of these technologies in the agricultural sector.
2. Traceability and Big Data. This interregional agreement facilitates the application of data and digital technologies in the value chains of the agri-food sector. In doing so, new opportunities are provided for the agri-food sector, such as: (i) more complete and reliable information available to consumers; (ii) intelligent information systems for companies and the public administration; (iii) territorial cooperation for the transfer of technology and research results; (iv) added value at all stages of the chain; and (v) improvement of business competitiveness, resilience and sustainability and creation of new companies. The agreement encompasses the following areas: (1) life cycles of the value chain; (2) intelligent monitoring of the value chain to improve the overall competitiveness of the agri-food sector; (3) incorporation of the experience of the consumer and different operators in the decision-making processes of the food chain; (4) open data, interoperability, data governance and information security, and cyber security.
3. Consumer involvement in agri-food. The increased participation of consumers and end users in agri-food innovation is seen as part of the solutions to global food challenges, and regional growth. This interregional agreement aims to assume a leadership role in the transition of the agri-food sector. For a healthy and resilient food system, the active participation and understanding of consumers is crucial. Mutual understanding between the different actors in the value chain is essential to develop a reliable food supply chain that responds to consumer needs.
4. Nutritional Ingredients. This interregional agreement between different agri-food actors develops an interregional database made up of multiple entries, in which consumer trends and habits, as well as the main market trends (primary data) are recorded worldwide. This will allow the partners involved to identify topics of interest for their main activities or possible new business developments. After discussion and confirmation of new trends, business cases, or process / product developments, partners define their intention to develop new ingredients / additives as a new project.  They benefit from the "technology network" available on the database (secondary data) to help identify existing pilot plants throughout the partner regions. This will eventually lead to the identification of investment opportunities.
5. Smart Sensors 4 Agri-food. This interregional agreement aims to reduce the barriers that agri-food companies face when accessing or executing new smart technologies. The agreement promotes the creation of a platform between (i) agri-food and electronic organizations, (ii) research organizations and suppliers of relevant technologies, and (iii) other related stakeholders. The agreement will facilitate knowledge sharing and accelerate the introduction and integration of smart electronic systems and embedded technology solutions in the agri-food industry in a broad sense (from multinationals to SMEs operating locally).

The investment opportunities generated by S3 Platform are helping to create more competitive and sustainable food supply chains and food systems that are more resistant to vulnerabilities.

For more information: http://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/agri-food-thematic-areas

Contact Person: Katerina Ciampi Stancova, European Commission, JRC – Growth and Innovation, Territorial Development