Greenhouse production is one of the most widely used solutions by farmers to increase yield per unit area and to minimise the negative effects of external conditions on plant growth. However, ensuring the sustainability of these production systems remains one of agriculture’s greatest challenges, requiring approaches that combine productivity, economic viability, and efficient use of resources and energy.

It is in this context that the Sun2Fork – Sustainable Greenhouse Farming Systems: From Sun to Fork project has been launched, with the participation of the Faculty of Biotechnology and the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF) of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa. The project aims to develop an integrated greenhouse farming system using technological and innovative approaches and sustainable resources. Through the integration of solar panels, smart irrigation systems, optimised substrates, and microbial inoculants, Sun2Fork seeks to reduce production costs and improve the resilience and sustainability of traditional greenhouse systems in the Mediterranean region.

Led by the University of Messina (Italy), the consortium also includes the University of Rome Tor Vergata (Italy), the Agricultural Research Organization of Israel, Ege University (Turkey), University Sultan Moulay Slimane (Morocco), Aston University (United Kingdom), and the University of Almería (Spain).

The effectiveness of this new model will be assessed across different Mediterranean regions, considering increases in productivity, reductions in production costs, and positive impacts on climate change adaptation.