We study the transition to sustainable ecology-based agriculture by using mixed-cropping systems that combine multiple crop species on a single field. Our team elucidates the ecological processes that make mixed cropping systems sustainably productive and we identify which socio-economic and societal or institutional factor need to be resolved to overcome the lock-in in current conventional farming systems. To allow a broad spectrum of farmers, consumers and stakeholders to reach transition goals, we embrace variation in transition paths. We explicitly compare how existing international value chains require adjustments as well as how new short and local value chains can emerge.

Climate change, pollution and depletion of reserves drive the search for alternatives to fossil-based resources. Micro-organisms capable of converting sustainable resources into valuable compounds (microbial cell factories, MCFs) can replace (petro)chemical products and processes, and are critical in the transition to a sustainable society. However, widespread industrial implementation of MCFs is hampered by inefficiency, instability, and complexity of current bioprocesses. Therefore INDUSTRIOPHILE develops a systematic approach to discover and improve traits in MCFs, to make them tolerant to industrial conditionals and capable of efficient production of a broad range of products. The INDUSTROPHILE approach is validated through four industrial showcases.

Unexpected infectious diseases outbreaks are increasingly common due to multiple global changes. The Netherlands, with its dense population of humans, livestock and poultry, international transport and travel hubs (Schiphol, Rotterdam), and unique water-dominated landscape is particularly vulnerable. A specific group of unexpected infectious disease outbreaks is transmitted through arthropods (e.g. mosquitoes), collectively termed vector-borne diseases (VBD). They have been expanding massively in (sub)tropical regions of the world through trade and habitat changes, but The Netherlands and Europe are vulnerable as well, as shown by recent outbreaks in livestock and birds. This proposal aims to develop a forward looking research agenda measuring and modelling how projected demographic, climatological, ecological, and planological changes will impact the risk of VBD-emergence for the Netherlands. Specific objectives are to: •Gain a fundamental understanding of interactions between the diversity of vectors, hosts, and viruses of priority-VBD; •Establish novel models on how these interactions are impacted by current and predicted changes in climate, water management, farming practices and importation risk; •Develop tools for rapid assessment of vector competence and disease severity •Develop tools and approaches to support outbreak research and surveillance •Develop novel interventions for VBD, based on integrated systems knowledge Our findings will be used to guide development of early warning systems and will provide tools for rapid assessment of risk of emerging-VBD to humans and animals. To allow deployment for use in regions with limited research infrastructure, fieldable versions of key assays will be developed. In case of a VBD-outbreak during the project, the consortium would be realigned to target the specific disease. This project is embedded within the Netherlands Centre for One Health, a collaboration between 9 research institutes to study health of humans, livestock, wildlife and environment in a holistic manner to address disease threats arising from these interactions.

REAP2SOW aims to develop sustainable, climate-resilient food systems by promoting novel plant-based protein crops like quinoa, white lupin, and aardaker. These crops enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, and support the protein transition away from animal-based sources. The project integrates research on breeding, soil ecosystem functions, cultivation practices, consumer behavior, health impacts, and supply chains. Through its interlinked work packages, REAP2SOW focuses on genetic improvement, nutrient use efficiency, food safety, consumer acceptance, and historical insights. It emphasizes outreach to policymakers, farmers, and the public, fostering a resilient, sustainable food system for the Netherlands.

This proposal focuses on the economic impact caused by rodents under post-harvest conditions in Bangladesh. We do so because huge losses and rodent-borne diseases can be catastrophic to the livelihoods of the poor. The aim is to develop strategies for prevention of post-harvest losses by rodents from farm to fork. We try to ensure that stakeholders throughout the food chain (smallholder farmers, traders, millers), policy makers and extension specialists are provided with appropriate tools and information to manage post-harvest losses caused by rodents using cost-effective, sustainable and ecologically-based strategies. This will lead to a significant reduction of spoilt food and less environmental damage. By directly involving a local SME, this project will not only generate information in terms of ecology of rodents and reliable calculations of post-harvest losses, possible interventions and new information on sociological aspects of rodent control, but also put its results into practice (concrete actions).