KICRO – Knowledge and Identification of CROp diseases for sustainable food safety

Strategic Partnerships for Vocational Education and Training

CONTEXT

KICRO is an Erasmus+ initiative aimed at enhancing the fruit-growing sector’s capacity to identify and manage crop diseases more effectively. This project focuses on empowering farmers and packinghouse staff with practical knowledge to improve crop disease identification, leading to reduced food loss and increased sustainability. Through a multilingual e-learning platform and targeted training, KICRO seeks to provide accessible educational resources to help reduce chemical usage, optimise storage conditions, and support sustainable agricultural practices across Europe. The project will culminate in local multiplier events to share insights and promote the adoption of sustainable practices in fruit cultivation.

OBJECTIVES

To empower the fruit-growing sector (farmers and packinghouse staff) with the knowledge and tools to effectively identify and manage crop diseases (both physiological and pathological) to promote sustainable food safety.
Conduct comprehensive research on crop diseases prevalent in partner countries to assess the current knowledge and needs of the fruit-growing sector.
Develop educational content tailored to address these gaps and improve disease identification and management skills.
Design and launch an accessible e-learning platform featuring educational material on crop diseases, available in 5 languages, to facilitate wide accessibility.
Deliver targeted training.
Encourage the reduction of chemical treatments and improve storage management through better disease identification and knowledge, aligning with the European Green Deal’s sustainability goals.
Support the shift towards organic and sustainable farming practices by providing stakeholders with practical, science-based tools.

ACTIVITIES

KICRO focuses on providing practical tools and knowledge to the fruit-growing sector to improve disease identification and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Key activities include:

Crops and Diseases Research: Conduct a comprehensive analysis to select relevant crops and identify common diseases affecting them in partner countries. This research will inform the development of tailored educational materials.

Development of an E-learning Platform: Create a user-friendly, multilingual online platform to deliver educational content on disease identification and management. The platform will provide accessible resources in five languages to ensure broad reach.

Access the KICRO E-Learning Platform here.

Training and Capacity Building: Conduct a one-week, in-person training session for project partners to familiarise them with the e-learning platform. Implement an online pilot training program for 50 participants to test the platform’s effectiveness and gather feedback for improvement.

Sustainability and Impact: Ensure the e-learning platform and educational resources remain freely accessible beyond the project’s duration, fostering long-term improvements in crop management and sustainable farming practices.

IMPACT

KICRO aims to transform the fruit-growing sector by equipping farmers and packinghouse staff with the essential knowledge to identify and manage crop diseases more effectively. By reducing food loss and optimising the use of chemicals, the project contributes to sustainable agriculture and aligns with the goals of the European Green Deal. The multilingual e-learning platform, combined with targeted training, will not only enhance skills but also promote environmentally responsible practices across Europe. The project’s long-term impact includes improved food safety, reduced environmental footprint, and a stronger, more resilient agricultural sector that is better prepared to face climate challenges.

Project Card:

Start: 01.09.2023 End: 31.08.2025
Project Reference: 2023-1-PL01-KA220-VET-000157664
EU Grant: 250 000 EUR
Programme: Erasmus+
Action Type: KA220-VET – Strategic Partnerships for Vocational Education and Training

Coordinator: The Higher School of Agribusiness (WSA), Łomża, Poland https://mans.edu.pl/

Partners: Cosvitec – University and Enterprise, Centre for Research, Higher Education and Vocational Training (VET), Napoli, Italy https://www.cosvitec.eu/en/home/

REZOS BRANDS S.A., Patras, Greece https://eu.rezosbrands.com/

S.E.A.L CYPRUS, Nicosia, Cyprus https://www.facebook.com/sealngocy

BALKAN BRIDGE EOOD, Sofia, Bulgaria https://balkanbridge.eu/

THE POLISH FARM ADVISORY AND TRAINING CENTRE NOT-FOR-PROFIT SP. ZO.O., Miastkowo, Poland https://www.farm-advisory.eu/en/

For more information about KICRO activities and results, visit its website: https://www.kicro.eu/
Follow KICRO on Facebook

SEAL CYPRUS

Sustainable Education Active Learning

KICRO – Knowledge and Identification of CROp diseases for sustainable food safety