The PRR +VALORCER project, led by InnovPlantProtect and promoted by CONSULAI, ANPROMIS (National Association of Maize and Sorghum Producers), ANPOC (National Association of Protein, Oilseed and Cereal Producers) and NOVA University Lisbon, has kicked off the development of training sessions at NOVA University Lisbon. This project started in April 2023 and aims to promote cereal Producer Organisations bringing new perspectives, advanced technologies and modern methods of process optimisation and management.

After a detailed consultation with the 17 partner Producer Organisations, it was possible to outline a plan of training sessions. These training sessions will be carried out by the three NOVA University of Lisboa schools involved in the project (NOVA School of Business and Economics, NOVA Information Management School and NOVA Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities) and will involve the participation of 50 people.

On the 23rd September 2024, the project began its training plan at NOVA SBE in Carcavelos, Lisbon. As it was the first day, there was an opening session attended by representatives of the three schools of NOVA University of Lisbon and the three cereal sector associations: ANPROMIS, ANPOC and AOP (National Association of Rice Producers).

The first training course taught by NOVA SBE will cover the themes of Leadershio, Strategy and Marketing, which are fundamental to the proper functioning of all organisations, and will take place over two full days in person and four half-days online.

Between January and March 2025, training courses will be held at NOVA IMS on the following topics: Data Visualisation and Storytelling, Risk Management and Financial Derivatives and Business Intelligence & Analytics.

Finally, in the second quarter of 2025, training courses will be held at NOVA FCSH on the following topics: climate changes and its consequences for the cereal production; the carbon cycle in the atmosphere-plant-soil interface; soil and water conservation; creating value from ecosystem services, carbon cycle and soil recovery; and criteria for climate certification.

This training plan will provide organisations with tools to help them become more structured, organised, competent and efficient. In addition, they will become better acquainted with the market, have a greater capacity to do business, how to communicate more effectively and be able to increase the value of their products.

The start couldn´t have been more promising, with 48 participants coming together. A group covering the various cereal sub-sectors – rice, maize and cereal grains – covering a remarkable range of ages (from 23 to 65) and with 32% of the participants being women.

The sessions were marked by an intense but very rewarding pace of work, which allowed the group to access new concepts and knowledge in a way that was totally in tune with the sector, with a strong focus on finding opportunities and solutions, despite the difficulties the sector is going through.