Research centres join forces for the country’s agri-food future

The “Feeding Portugal” participatory workshop brought together scientific institutions and representatives from the agri-food and agroforestry sectors to discuss national priorities for research and innovation.

On 18 September, the University of Évora hosted the participatory workshop “Feeding Portugal – Bottom-up Consultation on Agri-food and Agroforestry Research and Innovation Priorities”. The initiative brought together, for the first time, a broad group of six national research centres in these fields, fostering joint reflection on scientific priorities and the actions needed to address the sector’s challenges.

The event attracted around 150 participants in Évora, and was watched online by more than fifty people. Researchers, lecturers, students, producers and representatives from companies, associations and public administration bodies took part in this consultation, which aimed to develop a strategic proposal for agri-food and agroforestry research and innovation in Portugal.

From the scientific community to national priorities

The discussion took as its starting point the proposed Strategic Domain for the National Science and Innovation Policy, “Feeding Portugal: Science and Innovation for National Security, Sovereignty and Competitiveness”, presented at the workshop by Anabela Raymundo of LEAF, the Higher Institute of Agronomy at the University of Lisbon.

Resulting from the consolidation of nine proposals presented at the Agriculture, Agri-food and Bioeconomy session of the Science and Innovation 2026 meeting, organised by AI² – the Agency for Research and Innovation, the document seeks to establish agriculture and food as a national strategic domain, encompassing the entire value chain.

The contributions gathered will now enable this proposal to be developed further within the framework of the bottom-up initiatives promoted by the scientific community, contributing to the ongoing strategic assessment and to the definition of national research and innovation priorities from a long-term perspective.

A jointly developed reflection

During the session “Building the transition: from today’s priorities to tomorrow’s solutions”, participants were divided into transdisciplinary groups, in which they analysed the priorities presented and discussed needs, objectives and possible courses of action.

Each group’s reflections were subsequently presented by their respective rapporteurs and debated in plenary. The session, moderated by Maria do Rosário Partidário, scientific coordinator of the ST4S – Strategic Thinking for Sustainability methodology, provided an opportunity to explore some of the ideas presented in greater depth, with the participation of the group moderators.

The debate highlighted the need to bring research closer to the real problems faced by producers and businesses, to strengthen the transfer of knowledge and technology, and to improve coordination between academia, the production sector, the public administration and regional authorities.

Continued investment in science and innovation, funding targeted at priority areas, the stability of scientific careers, generational renewal and the ability to attract students were also among the concerns identified. The importance of sharing equipment and infrastructure and of making the most of the expertise available within the various institutions was also emphasised.

Rather than producing definitive conclusions, the meeting provided an opportunity to bring together different scientific fields, institutions and sectors around the same table, to identify common concerns and to build on a national collaboration that has so far been poorly structured.

Collaboration, investment and links to the region

At the end of the event, António Candeias, Rector of the University of Évora, highlighted the Alentejo’s potential for developing and demonstrating solutions that can be applied in other regions. Water scarcity, extreme temperatures, soil conservation and the sustainability of agricultural and forestry systems are some of the challenges already facing the region, which require responses based on scientific knowledge.

“We do not simply want to produce knowledge about the region. We want to produce knowledge with the region and for the region,” he stated.

The Rector also emphasised that the setting of national priorities must take into account the scientific expertise and infrastructure already in place in the country, accompanied by predictable funding, scientific careers, the ability to attract talent, and mechanisms for transferring knowledge to the economy and society.

Fátima Baptista, Director of MED, advocated for the continuation of the collaboration initiated between research centres, with the aim to mobilise complementary expertise, sharing resources and maximising the knowledge produced within the various institutions.

“It makes no sense that, in such a small country, we should each go our separate ways. We complement one another and must work together and collaborate,” she stated.

The Director of MED also highlighted the need to transform existing scientific capacity into solutions that can be tested, adapted and applied by producers and businesses, as well as to convey to new generations an up-to-date image of agriculture and forestry as technologically advanced sectors that are strategic for the country.

Helena Canhão, Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, emphasised the importance of strengthening national networks between researchers, higher education institutions, businesses and other organisations, pooling expertise and creating the critical mass needed to tackle complex challenges.

“The aspect of working together and solving problems is fundamental to the day-to-day lives of those in academia and those working in research and innovation,” she said.

The Secretary of State also highlighted the role of public policies in creating the conditions for the scientific system to function, and the importance of maintaining a bottom-up approach when setting priorities, in coordination with AI² and other agencies, such as those responsible for agriculture, forestry, climate, energy, health and sectoral policies.