Strengthening the dialogue between producers, consumers, and researchers on the cultivation and consumption of underutilized crops in Europe, including legumes, cereals, and vegetables, is the main goal of the new free RADIANT APP, available for iPhone and Android. This app is a result of the European research project RADIANT – Realizing Dynamic Value Chains for Underutilized Crops. Led by the Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Porto, the project involves 29 public and private entities from 12 European countries and is partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
“RADIANT explores traditional varieties that promote environmental sustainability and human health, combining climate neutrality with agricultural system resilience by reducing greenhouse gas emissions” says Marta Vasconcelos, researcher at the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF) and leader of the RADIANT European research project. “The main goal of this new app we are launching at the European level is to enhance communication between producers and consumers, raising awareness about the cultivation and consumption of more underutilized crops, such as legumes, cereals, and vegetables” she adds.
Funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program, two farms in Portugal are part of the project: BioFontinhas, located in the Azores (Portugal), and Freixo do Meio (Alentejo). These are two of the 20 pilot farms, known as “AURORA farms,” which serve as testing sites and promote organic and sustainable practices. “We aim to demonstrate successful transitions to inclusive agrobiodiversity systems, improving the competitiveness of underdeveloped crops and testing sustainable agricultural practices” the researcher explains. Some examples include lentils, various types of beans, peas, traditional fruit trees, and millet. “These crops are valuable due to their high nutritional value, resistance to harsh environments and poor soils, and efficient use of water” the researcher notes.
In two years of the European projec RADIANT researchers have undertaken various actions to raise awareness among the community and governmental entities about the benefits of traditional foods, highlighting their nutritional value and addressing concerns related to global overpopulation and potential food scarcity. Underutilized crops, often neglected, have limited use in different geographical, social, and economic contexts but offer great promise for diversifying agricultural systems, creating more sustainable farming systems, and diversifying diets.
In addition to the Marketplace service and forum (dialogue space), the new RADIANT APP offers a range of other features: Detailed information, such as data on nutritional benefits, recipes, cultivation methods, and efficient resource use; Notifications and news updates on best practices, events, and scientific research results; and it also includes educational resources, such as materials to promote environmental sustainability and human health in schools.
The RADIANT APP is available for free download on the Apple and Google app stores, ready to be used by anyone interested in promoting a more sustainable and diverse future. With the launch of this app, the project’s research team takes a significant step in promoting sustainability and food diversification, hoping that this tool will help raise awareness and empower the global community about the benefits of underutilized crops.
About RADIANT
This work was supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program through the project “Realizing Dynamic Value Chains for Underutilized Crops” (RADIANT), coordinated by the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (in Porto). It involves 29 entities from 12 countries – Portugal, Slovenia, United Kingdom, Hungary, Spain, Greece, Italy, Germany, Ireland, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, and Cyprus. The project is also partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). https://www.radiantproject.eu/.
