The mobilizing agenda Tec4Green It brings together companies and research entities to develop circular economy, digitalization, and value-added solutions for the agro-food and forestry sectors.
In this interview, the Eng.º Josué Clemente, yes Ascenza and coordinator of Tec4Green, It presents the strategic vision of the agenda, the results already achieved, and the expected impact on the competitiveness and sustainability of the sector.
What is the strategic vision of the Tec4Green agenda and how does it intend to transform the agro-food and forestry sector in Portugal?
The main objective of the agenda is to expand the value chain of the primary sector by promoting greater incorporation of products and services produced in Portugal into production processes. Activities related to the circular economy, such as the utilization of agricultural byproducts and other sources, the valorization of the retention of agroforestry CO₂ in the carbon market, and the development of new solutions, contribute to accelerating the profound transformation that national agriculture has been undergoing.
Are there any results or developments that you would like to highlight? How can they impact the sustainability and competitiveness of the companies involved and the sector as a whole?
The strong collaboration between research entities and companies has enabled progress in the development of new services and products, diversifying the portfolio of the involved companies. Among the activities carried out, we highlight the validation of technologies for the valorization of byproducts and the development of new products in the areas of nutrition and plant protection. In the digitalization component, services have been developed that allow monitoring the retention of CO₂ in agroforestry parcels and a precision agriculture system for risk assessment and decision support in plant protection.
In what way have the coordination and management of the consortium been fundamental to the development of the agenda? What are the main lessons learned from this collaborative work?
The coordination of a project With this scale, involving various activities and numerous partners, it is a very significant challenge that goes beyond the responsibility assumed in the implementation of the agenda's results.
In managing operational matters, the closeness built with the consortium members facilitated communication with the IAPMEI and helped find solutions to the constraints that were emerging.
Indeed, the closer collaboration with other entities is beneficial: communication flows more smoothly and it becomes easier to identify opportunities for creating value. I admit that it is very likely that, after the completion of the agenda, other collaboration initiatives between members of the consortium will emerge.
What impact does the Tec4Green agenda expect to have on the sector in the long term? What are the next steps to ensure that the developed solutions are effectively implemented?
The impact of the activities could be significant, considering that the products and services under development are destined for both the domestic market and export. The international experience of several members of the consortium facilitates entry into external markets, expanding sales potential. Moreover, the commercialization of basic technological services does not face the same logistical limitations as the production of physical goods, allowing for a more agile expansion in the global market. In parallel, in line with the objectives of agendas to boost reindustrialization, the construction of two units Fabris is dedicated to producing solutions for the nutrition and protection of crops.