Ghent University is one of Belgium’s leading research institutions, renowned for its expertise in biosciences, agriculture, and food systems. Within CROPDIVA, UGENT serves as the project coordinator and plays a central role in nearly all aspects of the initiative. The university contributes to breeding and screening of crops like lupin and triticale, develops intercropping systems and cover crop experiments, and leads the creation of innovative non-food products. It also conducts consumer studies, marketing research, and sensory testing, ensuring that the project’s innovations are both scientifically sound and market-ready. UGENT is instrumental in stakeholder engagement and communication, helping to translate research into real-world impact.

Visit website

The Julius Kühn-Institut is Germany’s federal research centre for cultivated plants and operates under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity. It conducts applied research to support sustainable crop production and biodiversity. In CROPDIVA, JKI leads efforts to explore genetic diversity and develop breeding tools for underutilised crops. The institute provides extensive field and greenhouse facilities and focuses on improving resistance to stress and diseases in crops like oats, triticale, buckwheat and lupin. Its work ensures that new crop varieties are both resilient and high-performing.

Visit website

Agroscope is Switzerland’s federal centre for agricultural research, affiliated with the Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture. It focuses on sustainable agriculture, food safety, and biodiversity. In CROPDIVA, Agroscope leads the development of diversified cropping systems and evaluates the performance of underutilised crops like oats, lupins, lentils and hull-less barley. It also assesses food safety, explores new value chains, and contributes to marketing strategies. Agroscope’s interdisciplinary approach ensures that the project’s innovations are applicable, economically viable, sustainable, and aligned with farmers’ needs.

Visit website

IRTA is a public research institute affiliated with the Government of Catalonia, dedicated to promoting research and technological development in the agri-food sector. It operates across multiple research centres and experimental farms throughout Catalonia. In CROPDIVA, IRTA leads the development of innovative food and non-food products based on underutilised crops. It contributes to nutritional and safety assessments, sensory testing, and consumer studies. IRTA also conducts field experiments to evaluate drought tolerance and intercropping performance of selected crops, ensuring that the project’s innovations are both scientifically validated and practically applicable.

Visit website

Boerenbond is the largest farmers’ organization in Flanders, representing the interests of agricultural and horticultural businesses. Innovatiesteunpunt, now integrated with Boerenbond, focuses on supporting innovation and sustainability in farming through advisory services and knowledge transfer. Together, they play a key role in CROPDIVA by leading communication, dissemination, and stakeholder engagement activities. They ensure that the project’s findings reach farmers across Europe and are translated into practical applications that enhance biodiversity and farm resilience.

Visit website

Aberystwyth University is home to IBERS, a world-leading institute in crop genetics and breeding. Within CROPDIVA, IBERS focuses on oat breeding, evaluation, and genomics. It provides key expertise in phenotyping and quality assessment and supports trials across Europe to identify high-performing oat varieties for sustainable farming systems.

Visit website

Aarhus University is a globally respected institution with a strong focus on agroecology and sustainable farming. Its Department of Agroecology brings deep expertise in nutrient cycling, fertilisation strategies, and climate modeling. In CROPDIVA, AU is responsible for setting up and analysing field experiments that explore intercropping and nitrogen/carbon balances. The university’s work helps assess the environmental benefits of diversified cropping systems and supports the development of climate-resilient agricultural practices.

Visit website

BOKU is Austria’s premier university for sustainability and life sciences. It brings extensive experience in plant breeding, disease resistance, and agronomic research. Within CROPDIVA, BOKU conducts field trials on oats and buckwheat and supports the development of sustainable cropping systems. Its work helps identify crop varieties that are both productive and environmentally beneficial, contributing to the project’s goal of enhancing agrobiodiversity across Europe.

Visit website

Dottenfelderhof is a biodynamic farm and research centre in Germany with expertise in organic plant breeding and cropping systems. In CROPDIVA, DH contributes to field trials, breeding activities (especially oats), and practical intercropping approaches. Its on-farm research ensures that innovations are closely aligned with real farming practices.

Visit website

The Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU) is one of the country’s leading universities in agriculture and sustainability. In CROPDIVA, CZU is responsible for analysing value chains and markets for underutilised crops. It carries out consumer surveys, develops business models, and provides insights into marketing strategies to improve the acceptance and profitability of these crops in different European regions.

Visit website

DANKO is a Polish plant breeding company with a long history in developing cereal and legume varieties. In CROPDIVA, DANKO provides germplasm and supports field experiments for underutilised crops. Its expertise in breeding and seed production helps ensure that new varieties are adapted to diverse European climates and farming systems.

Visit website

FINS is a Serbian research institute focused on food and feed technology, with expertise in protein extraction, food safety, and product development. In CROPDIVA, FINS contributes to the development of plant-based spreads, bakery products, and protein concentrates. It also leads sensory testing and consumer research, helping to ensure that new food products are both nutritious and appealing.

Visit website

Green House Food DOO is a Serbian company specialising in the development of innovative food products, particularly vegetable-based spreads and functional foods. In CROPDIVA, the company contributes to the formulation and testing of new food products derived from underutilised crops, supporting the project’s goal of diversifying diets and creating new market opportunities.

Visit website

Harper Adams University is the UK’s leading specialist institution for land-based education and research. With a strong focus on agriculture, food production, and sustainability, HAU brings deep expertise in crop physiology, food technology, and biodiversity. In CROPDIVA, HAU contributes to field experiments, phenotyping, and nutritional analysis of oats and hull-less barley. It also leads research on the impact of landscape elements on biodiversity and supports the development of sustainable cropping systems.

Visit website

IFVCNS is a major biotechnology research institute in Serbia, focusing on crop breeding, genetic resources, and crop management. It has developed over 1,000 cultivars and has extensive experience in national and international projects. In CROPDIVA, IFVCNS is responsible for laying out and monitoring field experiments, particularly for triticale, hull-less barley and lupin. It also supports biodiversity and intercropping studies, contributing essential expertise to the project’s agricultural trials.

Visit website

IPK is a renowned non-university research centre in Germany, housing Europe’s largest gene bank. It integrates genomics, breeding, and biodiversity research to support sustainable agriculture. In CROPDIVA, IPK provides and multiplies crop genotypes and conducts field trials to evaluate their performance. Its work is essential for tapping into the genetic potential of underutilized crops and ensuring their successful integration into European farming systems.

Visit website

The Institute of Experimental Botany (IEB) is part of the Czech Academy of Sciences and focuses on plant genetics, genomics, and biotechnology. In CROPDIVA, IEB contributes to the genotyping and molecular analysis of underutilised crops such as triticale and buckwheat. Its research supports the development of breeding tools and the identification of genetic markers for desirable traits, enhancing the project’s capacity to improve crop resilience and quality.

Visit website

Meyerhans Mühlen AG is a Swiss milling company with a long-standing tradition in processing small-grain cereals into high-quality flours and food ingredients. The company is known for its commitment to innovation and sustainability in food production. Within CROPDIVA, Meyerhans contributes to the development of food products based on oats and hull-less barley, supporting the project’s goal of creating nutritious, locally sourced alternatives for consumers.

Visit website

Molino Filippini is an Italian milling company located in the Valtellina region, known for its production of gluten-free and organic flours, including buckwheat and other ancient grains. With a tradition spanning three generations, the company combines artisanal methods with modern food safety standards. In CROPDIVA, Molino Filippini contributes to the development of bakery products using underutilised crops, helping to bring nutritious and sustainable alternatives to the market.

Visit website

Nordsaat is a Germany-based SME plant breeding company specialised in cereals, particularly oats, triticale, wheat, and barley. As a part of the Saaten-Union group, it belongs to the leading agricultural plant breeders within Europe. In CROPDIVA, Nordsaat provides germplasm, conducts field experiments and delivers grain quality results in oat and triticale trials. Its expertise ensures newly developed varieties are agronomically robust and commercially viable.

Visit website

Paniflower is a Belgian milling company that produces high-quality flour for the bakery industry. With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, Paniflower contributes to CROPDIVA by testing and integrating flours from underutilised crops into new bakery products. Its involvement supports the creation of diverse, locally sourced food options.

Visit website

Progeno is a spin-off company from Ghent University that develops software and data analysis tools for plant and animal breeding. It specialises in genomic prediction, breeding value estimation, and decision support systems. In CROPDIVA, Progeno builds and hosts the project’s cloud-based data infrastructure and interactive decision support platform. Its tools help breeders and researchers make informed decisions based on integrated phenotypic and genotypic data.

Visit website

SZTS is a German seed company specialising in the breeding of forage grasses and legumes. In CROPDIVA, SZTS contributes germplasm and supports breeding activities for lupin and other crops. Its work helps expand the genetic base and improve the agronomic performance of underutilised species.

Visit website

Senova is a private, independent seed marketing and crop development company based in the UK. It represents breeders from across Europe and offers a diverse portfolio of cereal, oilseed, and pulse varieties. In CROPDIVA, Senova contributes to the dissemination and commercialisation of underutilised crop varieties, helping to bridge the gap between research and market adoption.

Visit website

The University of Milan is a leading Italian institution with strong capabilities in food science, nutrition, and plant biochemistry. Its research teams are involved in characterising the nutritional and functional properties of crops and food products developed within CROPDIVA. UMIL evaluates how processing affects the nutritional quality and safety of ingredients and final products, helping to optimise food innovations. The university also contributes to consumer testing and market readiness, ensuring that new products meet both health standards and consumer expectations.

Visit website

Wageningen Food Safety Research is part of Wageningen University & Research and specialises in analytical science, food quality, and food safety. In CROPDIVA, WFSR evaluates potential risks linked to novel foods from underutilised crops, including allergenicity and contaminants. Its expertise ensures that newly developed food products are safe for consumers and compliant with EU regulations.

Visit website