SAFE-AGRI Workshop Brings Together Stakeholders to Shape Responsible Innovation in the Agri-Food Sector

Co-creation Workshop: "Security and Innovation in Agri-Food Technologies: Digitalisation, Automation, Data Management and Security Assessment"

Following the successful launch of the SAFE-AGRI project, Agriventures has taken another important step towards advancing responsible innovation in the agri-food sector by delivering its first stakeholder co-creation workshop on July 6. The event brought together more than 15 participants representing academia, research organisations, technology providers, agricultural businesses, industry associations, innovation experts and other key stakeholders.

The workshop created a collaborative environment for knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary dialogue and forward-looking discussions on the future of digital and hardware technologies in agriculture.

The programme combined expert presentations with an interactive foresight and co-creation session designed under the principles of Responsible Research and Innovation (ORRI). Participants explored the opportunities and challenges associated with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, autonomous agricultural systems, smart sensors, cloud-based infrastructures, data governance, cybersecurity and technologies with dual-use potential.

The practical part of the workshop focused on three foresight scenarios, each presenting a plausible challenge for the agri-food sector in the coming decades. Working in multidisciplinary groups, participants analysed potential risks, identified vulnerabilities, reflected on ethical and societal implications, and proposed practical mitigation measures.

The discussions addressed key topics such as operational resilience, food security, cybersecurity, critical digital infrastructures, data sovereignty, technological dependencies and the responsible governance of innovative technologies.

The scenario-based methodology encouraged participants to examine complex issues from multiple perspectives while applying the ORRI framework of anticipation, inclusion, reflexivity and responsiveness. Through collaborative analysis and prioritisation of proposed measures, the workshop generated valuable insights that will directly contribute the project's forthcoming activities.

Beyond the technical discussions, the workshop also provided an excellent opportunity for participants from different sectors to establish new connections, exchange experiences and strengthen collaboration across the innovation ecosystem. The networking session highlighted the importance of cross-sector dialogue in addressing emerging technological and societal challenges affecting the future of agriculture.

The outcomes of the workshop reaffirm the value of participatory approaches in shaping resilient, secure and responsible innovation. By actively engaging diverse stakeholder communities, SAFE-AGRI continues to build a strong foundation for developing practical guidance that supports the safe adoption of advanced digital and hardware technologies across the European agri-food sector.

As the project progresses, the knowledge and recommendations generated during this workshop will inform the next stages of the SAFE-AGRI initiative, contributing to evidence-based policy recommendations, practical tools and collaborative solutions that promote trustworthy, sustainable and secure technological innovation in agriculture.

Want to learn more about the SAFE-AGRI initiative? Read our previous article about the project's official launch here: https://agriventures.co/updates/safe-agri-initiative-officially-kicks-off

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The role of Agriventures in supporting agrifood innovation

As the agritech startup ecosystem grows across Europe, initiatives such as Agriventures are helping connect entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers working in agriculture and food innovation.

Agriventures focuses on supporting agrifood startups, biotechnology innovation, and access to European funding for agriculture, while also helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex landscape of startup financing, venture capital, and research commercialization.

By strengthening connections between startups, research institutions, investors, and farmers, Agriventures contributes to building a stronger agricultural innovation ecosystem that can accelerate the transition toward sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems.

Through knowledge sharing, events, and ecosystem building, Agriventures helps ensure that promising agritech innovations can scale and reach farmers, food producers, and global markets.

Safe-Agri is funded within the framework of the REINFORCING project. REINFORCING has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101094687. The project is supported by the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, the REA, or the REINFORCING consortium. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.