What will be the challenges and enabling technologies for the 2025 Farm2Fork calls?

The Challenges Facing the Agri-Food Sector in 2025

1. Climate Change

Climate change remains one of the greatest threats to global food production. Unpredictable weather patterns, extreme events, and growing water scarcity all threaten the stability of food systems. Future technologies must not only reduce the sector’s climate impact but also build resilience, ensuring food systems can withstand and adapt to these evolving environmental condition

2. Balancing Growth and Environmental Limits

While agricultural productivity is essential, it must be achieved without exceeding ecological boundaries. Technological advancements must ensure that farming practices do not degrade ecosystems, overexploit resources, or contribute to biodiversity loss. A balance between innovation and sustainability is needed, supported by strong regulatory frameworks and policies that encourage sustainable growth.

3. Equitable Access and Inclusion

A major challenge in adopting new agri-food technologies is ensuring equitable access. Smallholder farmers, coastal communities, and underrepresented groups are often excluded from technological advancements. To create truly inclusive food systems, future initiatives must support these stakeholders in adopting innovations. Ensuring participation at all levels—from production to consumption—is crucial for building a more inclusive and resilient food system.

4. Cross-Sectoral Governance and Collaboration

A sustainable food system requires an integrated, cross-sectoral approach. Collaboration across agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, health, and environmental sectors is necessary to address complex issues such as food safety, public health, and sustainability. Clear governance frameworks promoting cooperation, fair competition, and coherent policies will be key to achieving these goals.

5. Consumer Awareness and Behavioural Change

Shifting consumer behaviour is one of the biggest hurdles in moving toward sustainable food systems. Educating the public on sustainable diets, the environmental benefits of alternative proteins, and the role of the European agricultural sector as a changemaker is critical. Behavioural changes, driven by social innovation, will play a key role in transforming consumption patterns.

Enabling Technologies for the 2025 F2F Calls

How can we address these challenges? Here are some key technology trends that are likely to be at the forefront of the 2025 F2F calls, a key initiative of the European Green Deal, which aims to make the EU food system fairer, more sustainable and environmentally friendly:

1. Agroecology and sustainable agriculture practices as a cornerstone

Agroecology, which integrates ecological principles into farming practices, will be pivotal in driving sustainable food systems. The focus will be on technologies that promote nature-positive, inclusive, and profitable farming systems. However, traditional research lines such as plant breeding and crop management will remain relevant, particularly in addressing emerging threats to plant health and productivity.

2. The Rise of Digital Agriculture

Digital technologies—such as precision farming, data analytics, and artificial intelligence—are revolutionizing food production. Real-time monitoring tools for crop health, soil quality, and water use will empower farmers to adopt more efficient and sustainable farming practices. In 2025, digital agriculture will be essential in optimizing resource use and enhancing resilience against environmental challenges.

3. Alternative Proteins

The focus on alternative protein sources—such as plant-based and biotech-produced proteins—will continue to grow. These innovations reduce reliance on traditional animal farming, mitigate environmental impacts, and address issues like land use and greenhouse gas emissions. As both consumers and businesses seek sustainable protein options, this area will be a major driver of innovation.

4. Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency

Circularity will remain a driving principle in future farming systems, emphasizing waste reduction and resource efficiency. Technologies supporting nutrient recycling, waste management, and low-input farming practices will be vital for creating closed-loop systems. These innovations will benefit both the environment and the economy, introducing new business models that prioritize sustainability. Circular agriculture, underpinned by eco-design and novel marketing strategies, will help minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency.

Final Thoughts

I don’t expect revolutionary changes in the 2025 programme, but rather a smooth transition toward the final biennium. During this phase, enabling technologies like agroecology, digital agriculture, alternative proteins, and circularity will be crucial in helping the agri-food sector address its biggest challenges.

Let’s stay connected and keep the conversation going!