SUS-BIOCROP · Doctoral Network in Developing Sustainable Biocomposite Materials for Enhancing Crop Resilience and Yield

The agricultural sector is at a critical turning point, facing the immense challenge of meeting the food needs of a rapidly growing global population while simultaneously reducing its environmental footprint. By 2050, it is expected that food production will need to increase by 70%, yet traditional agricultural methods have led to significant environmental degradation. To address this, innovative and sustainable agricultural practices must be developed, ones that can not only increase productivity but also protect the environment. This proposal aims to address these challenges by developing advanced biocomposite materials that enhance plant resilience against both biotic (pests, diseases) and abiotic (drought, soil degradation) stresses. Through interdisciplinary research and innovation, the consortium will bring together leading experts from academia and industry to train a new generation of researchers in sustainable agricultural technologies. The proposed Joint Doctoral Network will foster a comprehensive approach to solving agricultural challenges, incorporating cutting-edge research on biocomposites, training programs on materials and sustainable agriculture, and effective dissemination of knowledge.