FEED-TO-FOOD

Reinforcement of FEED-TO-FOOD Research Center at Institute for Food Technology of the Univetsity of Novi Sad

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Center for FEED AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS (FAP), as organizational unit within the Institute for Food Technology at the University of Novi Sad (UNS), is the only scientific-research unit specialized for a wide range of issues related to the feed technology in our Country and in the region. Due to Serbia's poor economic situation in general, and the previous isolation of the country, there has been no recent investments at the UNS to keep laboratories and pilot plants up-to date, and our researchers had virtually no chance of participating in research and development work going on within EU RTD institutions. Now is the time to prepare a long term sustainable development strategy for Serbia which will enable dynamic economic growth from which the entire population can benefit. FAP is equipped with the laboratory equipments and scientific potentials and willing to take leading position in the region in research area in the production chain from feed to food. Today, the importance of feed within a food chain is widely recognized and FAP, as the leader in feed technology, want to be a “scientific link” in the production chain from feed to food and want to improve and upgrade their own research potentials and assist in successful integration of our country, other WBC and the whole region into Europe. Under this proposal, FAP, an already very promising research institution at the UNS focused on production chain from feed to food, will be developed through the upgrade and renewal of pilot plant equipment, and through the training of staff, in particular young researchers, by academic exchange visits and workshops etc. Proposed project under the title „Reinforcement of Feed to Food Research Center at Institute for Food Technology of the University of Novi Sad“ (FEED-TO-FOOD) might have a huge impact in the region where the research capacity in the feed to food technologies is highly needed.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

The University of Novi Sad (UNS) contains Serbia's only scientific-research unit that specialises in feed technology issues. Lack of investment however has meant that researchers struggle to access EU level projects.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

An EU-funded project aims to address this and enable Serbian researchers to realise their potential and actively participate in cross-border initiatives. The project is also of significant strategic importance to the region: the agro-food sector is one of the most important economically, and is one of seven national R&D priorities defined in Serbia's scientific and technological development strategy 2009 to 2014.

The FEED-TO-FOOD project was initiated following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding associating Serbia to the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7, 2007-2013). Its principal goal has been to reinforce research potential at the Centre for Feed and Animal Products, part of the University of Novi Sad's Institute for Food Technology.

The project, which is due for completion in 2011, has already achieved a number of positive results, and the project partners say they have many reasons to be satisfied with the progress made so far. Research capacities have been improved, networking with EU research institutions has been increased and researchers now have solid experience of taking part in EU research.

Furthermore, in the scope of project's activities, important EU research institutes have accepted the UNS as a participant in FP7 projects, and the project partners are ready to form new research consortia and to make new proposals. Good communication with project beneficiaries has been achieved, something which will be continued following project completion.

Reinforcement of the research centre has also been achieved through the purchase of pilot plant equipment for activities such as milling, mixing, drying-cooling and vacuum coating. A new research pilot plant laboratory was ceremonially opened on 29 September 2009 by professor Viktor Nedovic, assistant minister for international cooperation and European integration in Serbia's Ministry of Science and Technological Development. The laboratory is now capable of providing training and research opportunities to scientists, researchers and students in the feed and food industry.

The centre has also been able to employ four researchers, one technician and one experienced researcher. These developments, say the project partners, will significantly strengthen their research potential. The project partners are also now highly proactive, and are active members of the European Commission's food cluster initiative.

The FEED-TO-FOOD project can therefore already be seen as a success; it has enabled project partners to reinforce their own research capabilities and has helped to integrate Serbia into the European research area.