Valpro Path Project leads the way in sustainable plant protein production
The Valpro Path Project is looking to pioneer fresh possibilities, validating and showcasing ways to enhance plant protein production for food and feed in the EU.
The project, led by Teagasc, aims to turn the food-chain towards sustainable plant protein production.
Five innovation production systems (IPSs) – a core part of Valpro Path – located across the EU, are ‘living labs’ that will generate novel production/processing systems for specific regions. The purpose is to exploit the highest value potential from protein crops such as pea, lupin, chickpea, faba bean and lentils.
Besides being the coordinator of the project, Teagasc also leads IPS3 and IPS4. IPS3 is dedicated to showcasing the incredible potential of intercropping field peas with faba beans as a solution to mitigate yield losses from lodging, while also yielding peas and faba beans for protein extraction and flour milling.
Teagasc, in collaboration with European breeders will establish the best varieties of pea and faba beans that will be evaluated, considering the characteristics of commercial and pre-commercial varieties in terms of agronomic traits and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.
“On the other hand, IPS4 adopts a system engineering approach to monitor nutrient tracking and environmental impacts throughout the product development and innovation process within the supply chain,” noted Prof. Mark Fenelon, head of food programme, Teagasc Food Research Centre. “Emission and nutrient profiles will be documented and quantified for various selected varieties and plant protein products to support informed consumer choices based on environmental and nutrient data.”
The Valpro Path Project is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme and all the information is available on project’s website, as well as Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and Youtube.
