Sustainable food production and food security

In 2030, the world will need 50% more food than in 2010 – and that food needs to be produced sustainably. For years, Luke has been active in research related to developing the entire food system from field to fork. From soil health to plant protection and crop and animal genetics, our expertise covers the entire primary production as well as R&D and diagnostics of new food products. We are aiming at sustainable, circular and resource efficient solutions to enhance the competitiveness of food producers.

Alongside many economic aspects, sustainable food systems relate to well-being and health of people, animals and the environment. Luke produces information on the importance of responsibility and the related indicators for various actors in the food system. In addition, we provide information on how sustainability can be improved at different levels in the food system.

Improving food security

Climate change and related issues such as loss of biodiversity, and sudden crisis, such as pandemics set great challenges for the food system. We need tools to increase resilience of the food system, to mitigate climate change and to adapt to changes.

Luke promotes diversification of Finnish food system by developing solutions for enhancing production and use of domestic alternative proteins from field to plate. We also study the potential of innovative microbiome solutions in all stages of the food chain for increasing food security and healthy nutrition in the changing climate. Climate change mitigation means include, for example, decreasing the methane emissions of ruminants by breeding and nutritional solutions. Our genomic research is essential for breeding for resource efficient, robust livestock and new crops that can better adapt to changing climate e.g. by being resistant to certain plant diseases and, thus, improve food security.

The environmental impacts and carbon footprint of different production technologies, food products and diets are studied to understand scientific basis of environmentally sustainable food

SIMBA

Purpose:The vision of the project is to create a better EU Agro-Aqua-Food system that is resource efficient, climate resilient, sustainable and consumer centred by creating connectivity at local, regional and European level. Using a holistic approach, SIMBA will harness complex soil and marine microbial communities for the sustainable production of food and deliver tangible benefits to society. Impact: Open access database containing microbiome data that identify useful microbiomes that support food production; new innovations enhancing consistency of microbiomes in field application for improved plant productivity, sustainable agriculture and increased availability arable land; change towards a more sustainable diet. Partners: 22 Financier: Horizon 2020

MASTER

Purpose:The project is using high throughput sequencing technologies to map microbiomes across a range of food and non-food environments. By developing microbiome products, foods/feeds, services and processes, the project will improve the quantity, quality and safety of food. Impact: Knowledge generated within MASTER will improve plant, soil, animal and human health and reduce the demand for traditional insecticides, fertilizers and antibiotics. Partners: 28 Financier: Horizon 2020 production and consumption patterns and possibilities are strongly on our research agenda. Minimising food waste is another important topic in improving the sustainability and resource-efficiency of the food system. Unnecessarily produced food is a burden on both the economy and the environment. To improve the situation, Luke develops new ways to monitor and reduce food waste in the entire value chain. Simultaneously, we help producers make use of side streams and by-products to promote circular economy and new business.

ClearFarm

Purpose: To use Precision livestock farming (PLF) technology to increase animal welfare in the whole production chain of dairy cows and pigs. It will co-design, develop and validate a platform that will inform both farmers and consumers to assist their decision-making. Impact: Improved sustainable pig and dairy cattle production and provide animal welfare information, as well as other environmental and economic sustainability information that will assist production chain stakeholders and consumers in decision making. Partners: 6 research organisations + 8 companies Financier: Horizon 2020

MiMi

Purpose: Novel microbiome and metalobomic tools into use in developing safety and sustainability of the milk chain (MiMi) project will provide novel information of the role of microbiomes in milk chain starting from feeds through the digestive tract of the ruminant and finally reaching milk and milk products. Impact: Increased understanding of the role of microbiomes in the production chain and how to manipulate them through feed production to be used to improve the safety and sustainability of the milk chain. Partners: Lanzhou University

Food waste is waste of money

Financier: Academy of Finland