CROPDIVA set out to give six underused crops a renewed place in Europe’s fields: oats, hull-less barley for human consumption, triticale, buckwheat, faba beans and lupins.
With twenty-seven partners across Europe, the project strengthened agrobiodiversity by connecting field trials, genetic research, processing innovations, consumer insights and market opportunities.
Chat with the CROPDIVA AI assistant
Got a question about the project outcomes? The easiest way is to chat with us. CROPDIVA developed an AI-based decision-support system that brings together the project’s knowledge in an accessible, conversational tool. It can be freely queried by breeders, farmers, processors, retailers, researchers and other stakeholders, and offers a foundation for future projects to build on and expand.
Approach
CROPDIVA strengthened Europe’s agrobiodiversity by working across the full agri-food chain. The project focused on six underutilised crops and tested them in real farming conditions across Europe to understand how they perform, how they can be combined in intercropping systems, and how their traits can be improved through breeding.
Alongside field trials, CROPDIVA explored how these crops can be processed into nutritious foods, high-quality feed, and innovative bio-based materials. The project also assessed food safety, consumer acceptance, and market potential to support their uptake in farming, food businesses, and everyday diets.
Building resilience
CROPDIVA concentrated on six underutilised or “orphan” crops because diversifying what we grow is essential for a resilient and healthy food system. Europe currently relies on a limited number of staple crops, which increases vulnerability to climate pressures, pest outbreaks and market fluctuations. This narrow base also limits the diversity of nutrients in our diets.
Oats, hull-less barley, triticale, buckwheat, faba bean and lupin were selected for their agronomic robustness, their ability to perform under low-input and variable conditions, and their positive contribution to soil health and crop rotations. They also provide high-quality proteins, fibres and micronutrients that can enhance the nutritional profile of food products. Together, these crops expand the genetic and functional diversity available to European agriculture, supporting both sustainability and human health.
From insights to uptake
CROPDIVA’s results were shaped to support real-world uptake across the value chain. Each stakeholder group receives practical insights that help underutilised crops become viable options in farming, processing and product development.
Farmers gain guidance on crop performance and intercropping. Breeders receive priority traits and genetic resources for future varieties. Processors benefit from tailored methods for separation, milling and protein extraction, along with new food, feed and bio-based applications. Brands and retailers are supported with consumer insights that highlight market opportunities and effective communication strategies.
To explore what CROPDIVA offers for your role in the value chain, visit our dedicated stakeholder pages.
Projectmanagement
Do you want to know about Cropdiva. Contact our projectmanagement;
Geert Haesaert
Prof. Geert Haesaert, Coordinator, Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University – geert.haesaert@ugent.be
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Would you like to know more about the project or about one of the crops?
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement NO 101000847
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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