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Research & Development Request

H2020-SFS-06-2018 Development and test of a web platform along with a portable diagnostic system for integrated pest management

Country of Origin: Cyprus
Reference Number: RDCY20171205003
Publication Date: 8 December 2017

Summary

A Cypriot company specializing in internet of things and sensors, is looking for:
•	Software developers for the platform 
•	Companies to test the platform and define its specifications e.g. food producers, distributors or logistics
•	Pest control laboratories (private/national/public) for data  population of the platform 
in order to develop a combined platform with members of food chain for Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The proposal will be submitted to the SFS-06-2018-2020 H2020 call.

Description

Production of fruits and vegetables requires a combined platform among different members of food chain for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for ensuring traceability, supporting sustainable growth and for ensuring consumers’ health. However, the usage of multiple regulation and systems complicates the processes of IPM within EU.

The Cypriot SME is proposing a system that will allow members of food chain production, to use Decision support systems to decrease the necessary paperwork and increase the number of checks during production, transportation (logistics) and pest monitoring, until food reaches the consumer. The expected benefit from this project is that the IPM platform and sensor will support sustainable growth and ensure consumers’ health. 

The system will be a web platform with various members such as: 

1)	Producers

        a)	Farmers

        b)	Enterprises involved in food processing 

2)	Logistic companies

        a)	Transportation agencies

        b)	Logistics operators

3)	Pest control

        a)	Laboratories

           i)	Private

           ii)	National/public

         b)	Portable Diagnostics

4)	Consumers

         a)	Supermarkets

         b)	Resellers

All the various members involved in the food chain will be able to submit their test results in the platform and the way of testing. The Logistic companies will have to monitor specific conditions such as temperature and hydration. 

This will enable actors involved in the food chain to increase monitoring for pest related and other necessary conditions for food processing.

The consortium will also utilize the portable diagnostic system with a built in innovative sensor developed for specific pesticide monitoring, to empower the value of checks and proper documentation. Using the platform consumers will have a clear picture on what they are buying from the grocery stores and the multiple agents of the food chain will minimize the complexity of a fully problematic and high cost process. Most importantly, the platform will guide farmers and institutions with proper tools for constant monitoring of pesticide levels and changes in regulation, so that pesticides are used according to the actual daily or weekly needs of their crops thus minimizing pesticide overdose and saving them from unnecessary costs and damage. Also, the platform will suggest alternative methods than pesticide use for IPM which are in line to agro-ecosystem and other natural mechanisms according to the needs and legislations of EU.



The proposal will be submitted to the SC2 SFS-06-2018-2020

TOPIC : Stepping up integrated pest management by the 13th of February 2018. 



The SME from Cyprus is therefore looking for the following partners in order to complement its Societal Challenge 2 proposal:

•	Software developers for the development of the platform 

•	Companies to test the platform and define its specifications and features e.g. Food Producers and resellers, Logistics companies

•	Pest control laboratories (private/national/public) for data acquisition and data population of the platform

Advantages and Innovations

Part of the innovation of the proposal to be developed, is the use of a portable diagnostic system (which includes an innovative pesticide screening biosensor), developed for specific pesticide monitoring. This will empower the value of checks and proper documentation. Using the proposed platform the consumers will have a clear picture on what they are finally buying from the grocery stores and the multiple agents of the food chain will minimize the complexity of a fully problematic and high cost process.

The innovative pesticide screening biosensor to be further developed and utilized as part of the IMP solution is: 

-	A powerful and portable device that provides personalized assessment system. 

-	Fully Integrated, User-friendly.

-	Works with minimum volumes of sample

-	Able to give an analysis over a few minutes

The current state of development is a well-optimized laboratory-based biosensor prototype developed by the company over the past few year of research projects such as FP7 Research for SMEs Project and Business innovation project of Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry & Tourism of Cyprus.

Stage Of Development

Prototype available for demonstration

Requested partner

The SME from Cyprus is therefore looking for the following partners in order to complement its Societal Challenge 2 proposal:

•	Software developers (could be universities / research organisations / SMEs) for the development of the platform  

•	Companies to test the platform and define its specifications and features e.g. Food Producers and resellers, Logistics companies

•	Pest control laboratories (private and national/public) for data acquisition and data population of the platform