The Next Generation EU Funds are being significantly used to drive the transformation and modernization of the agri-food industry in Spain. Some of the main initiatives include:
Funding of innovative projects
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has allocated €12.15 million to finance 23 innovative projects in the agri-food sector. These projects, to be implemented until March 2025, focus on:
- Innovation in agriculture, livestock, forestry, and the agri-food industry
- Promoting the sector’s twin digital and environmental transition
- Areas such as crop production, animal production, forestry, and the food industry
Agri-food PERTE
The Strategic Project for the Recovery and Economic Transformation of the agri-food sector (Agri-food PERTE) has been established to:
- Support the sector’s sustainable economic growth
- Promote digitalization of the agri-food chain
- Foster territorial cohesion
- Provide funding and tools to address environmental, digital, social, and economic challenges
Specific lines of action
Three main lines of action have been established for granting aid:
- Research, development, and innovation
- Innovation in sustainability and energy efficiency
- Investment for SMEs
These aids are granted in the form of loans and subsidies, aimed at boosting industrial projects to transform the agri-food value chain.
National Food Strategy
The government has presented the National Food Strategy, which aims to promote a food system that is:
- Safe
- Sustainable
- Healthy
- Competitive
- Socially fair
This strategy focuses on six main challenges: food security, sustainability, strengthening of rural and coastal areas, healthy eating, innovation and technology, and consumers.
Promotion of the circular bioeconomy
There is a growing emphasis on the circular bioeconomy as a means to achieve a more efficient, competitive, and sustainable agri-food production. This includes:
- Use of biofuels and bioenergy
- Digitalization and robotization of farms and agri-food industries
- Use of advanced organic fertilizers and biostimulants
- Use of reclaimed water in agri-food production
- Development of biotechnological products
In summary, the Next Generation EU Funds are being used to drive a comprehensive transformation of the agri-food sector, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness, with the goal of creating a more resilient food system that is better adapted to future challenges.