AGRICA (AGrifood Research & Innovation Center of Aegean) is a Research Infrastructure on agro-food ecosystems. It was established through the collaboration of different laboratories of the University of the Aegean, Greece. It provides high-impact research and innovation services to upgrade the agri-food sector through internationally competitive and innovative food value chains. The overall objective is the valorization and promotion of existing and novel local food products and the production of new certifications for them.
AGRICA at the moment employs more than 60 researchers from the University of the Aegean and is now one of the main pillars for creating and upgrading national and international value chains of the Agri-Food sector in the Region. AGRICA coordinates research and innovation to provide knowledge and facilities to researchers and professionals from the academic and industrial sectors.
AGRICA serves a “farm to fork” strategy to service value chains that begin from the field and reach the consumer. Research focuses on crops and livestock that are important for the Region, such as olive plantations and aquacultures. At the same time, AGRICA develops new or traditional raw materials for new and innovative foods of high nutritional value or highlights qualities of traditional foods to place them in national and international markets.