Project: Fig Waste Into Green Ultra-Resilient Eco-coatings
| Acronym | FIGURE |
| Project Topic | Figs, as fresh and dried products, represent a significant agribusiness resource in the Mediterranean region. Turkey and Egypt are at the top countries for fig produce and export in the region. Germany, France and Italy import figs mostly from both countries. However, there are significant gaps along the value chain, particularly in production and marketing relevant to product quality, food losses, waste treatment and economical losses affecting diverse stakeholders. Our project proposes the development of innovative strategies to improve product safety and quality, reduce postharvest losses, reuse wastes for novelty in production, adapt relevant knowledge and technology to the field. The objectives of FIGURE could be summarized as 1) Develop and characterize a smart biocoating to reduce the impact of local wastes in fig production. 2) Promote increased collaboration and engagement with diverse stakeholders, especially women, in the fig supply chain for waste reuse. 3) Introduce cost-effective technologies such as sonication and centrifugal spinning through training initiatives among partners to recover bioactive compounds and produce biocoatings. 4) Explore potential new markets for fresh products with extended shelf life in peri-urban areas. All these actions particularly fit with the necessity of novel preservation schemes (storage, packaging), adaptable to local supply chains, limiting the use of additives while maintaining the high level of nutritional value of both dried and fresh figs, and preserving shelf-life throughout the food chain. This initiative will not only promote the sustainability of local, peri-urban and urban agri-food chains but also contribute to gender equality by creating entrepreneurial opportunities for women in utilizing fig byproducts. Based on the challange of the call topic, FIGURE project will focus on supporting local food producers with a comprehensive plan for contributing to sustainable production and circular bioeconomy. |
| Network | PRIMA |
| Call | Section 2 – Multi-topic 2024 |