Research partnerships for green and digital transition

Tag: Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry

  • RTO Lithuania Co-Hosts Successful Cross-Regional Collaboration Workshop in Agrifood Sector

    RTO Lithuania Co-Hosts Successful Cross-Regional Collaboration Workshop in Agrifood Sector

    RTO Lithuania, in partnership with Photonics Bretagne and the European Technology Platform Photonics21, successfully co-hosted the “Cross-regional Collaboration Workshop in the Agrifood/Agriculture sector” on March 20, 2025. The event brought together stakeholders from agriculture and photonics sectors across multiple European regions (including France, Italy, Poland, and Lithuania) to foster innovative collaborations and develop strategic R&D initiatives. 

    The workshop was designed to identify common regional challenges in agriculture and agrifood sectors while exploring how photonics technologies could address these challenges through cross-regional collaboration. Dr. Linas Eriksonas from RTO Lithuania and Dr. David Méchin from Photonics Bretagne led the event, which featured presentations from agricultural clusters and photonics technology providers.

    “This collaborative event aimed to spark innovative ideas and co-create strategic plans for R&D cooperation between regions in one of our most critical sectors – Agriculture & Agrifood,” said Eriksonas. “By bringing together experts from both domains, we create a win-win opportunity to match technological capabilities with real-world agricultural challenges that are relevant to all of us.”

    The workshop featured presentations from several key organizations:

    Agriculture/Agrifood Clusters:

    • Vegepolys Valley (France) – a national cluster with over 600 members focused on the plant sector
    • Agrobio Cluster coordinated by UNIMOS (Poland) – representing 73 members across the agri-food value chain
    • Coldiretti, a major farmers’ organisation in Italy

    Photonics Technology Providers:

    • Photonics Bretagne (France) – offering expertise in spectroscopy, imaging, and lidar technologies
    • PPTF (Polish Technological Platform on Photonics) – specializing in photonics and microelectronics
    • RTO Lithuania – bringing together national RTOs, including the Center for Physical Sciences (FTMC)

    During the interactive brainstorming session, participants identified several key agricultural challenges where photonics technologies could provide innovative solutions:

    1. Crop Monitoring and Management
      • Growth monitoring and plant nutrition assessment
      • Precision agriculture technologies for optimized fertilizer use
      • Water quality monitoring and improved water use efficiency
    2. Quality Control and Food Safety
      • Quality assessment of fresh products
      • Detection of food fraud
      • Improved traceability systems for consumer awareness
    3. Disease and Pest Management
      • Early detection of plant diseases and pests
      • Automated inspection and control systems

    The discussions highlighted the potential of various photonics technologies, including spectroscopy, fluorescence imaging, multi/hyperspectral technologies, and laser applications in addressing these agricultural challenges. The workshop established a clear roadmap for future collaboration that will result in the Strategic Plans to be presented to regional authorities by mid-June 2025, potentially leading to funded cross-regional initiatives.

  • RTO Lithuania Call for Collaborative Pilot Research Projects Launched

    RTO Lithuania Call for Collaborative Pilot Research Projects Launched

    Three Lithuanian RTOs members – the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI), and the Lithuanian Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry (LAMMC) – have announced today an annual joint call for pilot research projects for 2025. This initiative aims to foster the interdiscplinary and cross-institutional collaboration between three RTOs in addressing key national and societal challenges for a sustainable, climate-resilient and secure Lithuania.

    The call offers funding of up to €30,000 per project (€10,000 for each research group) and focuses on three key areas:

    • Smart/Sustainable Technologies
    • Environmental Technologies
    • Defence Technologies

    Projects must involve researchers from all three participating institutions. Successful projects are expected to result in high-impact scientific publications and lead to a further follow-up – the submissions for national and international R&D&I funding calls, thus providing a launch pad for emerging ideas that can have longer impact.

    An information event will be held at FTMC in Vilnius on March 5, where potential applicants can present their project ideas and find partners. For more information and registration, interested researchers can visit: https://forms.office.com/e/nC5Pe1rt5Q

    The deadline for submitting applications is March 31, 2025. The projects will have to be completed by March 31, 2026.

    Call documents:

    Call for Collaborative Pilot Projects
    RTO LT interinstitutional project rules 2025
    RTO application form 2025

    Contact persons:

  • Lithuanian Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry Hosts Conference on Science-Based Solutions

    Lithuanian Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry Hosts Conference on Science-Based Solutions

    On February 11, the Lithuanian Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry (LAMMC) organized a conference titled Science-Based Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry which attracted over 250 participants. The event brought together researchers, policymakers, and industry representatives to discuss how scientific research can address societal needs and contribute to the country’s agricultural and forestry development.

    Key highlights from the conference:

    • LAMMC Director Dr. Gintaras Brazauskas presented the center’s role in implementing the Lithuanian Government’s program, highlighting increased collaboration with industry partners, development of new plant varieties, international partnerships, and scientific training achievements.
    • Researchers presented findings on important topics including:
      • Greenhouse gas emissions research and country-specific measurements
      • Sustainable soil management and functional biodiversity
      • Secondary raw materials usage for soil improvement
      • Plant protection products effectiveness
      • Functional food development opportunities

    The event concluded with a panel discussion on science-based decision-making in agriculture and forestry, emphasizing the need for better communication between scientists, policymakers, business, and society to ensure research-based solutions are effectively implemented.

    This conference demonstrates how RTO Lithuania members like LAMMC are working to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical applications while addressing key societal challenges in agriculture and forestry sectors.

  • Lithuanian Energy Institute and Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Join Historic MIT Cooperation Agreement

    Lithuanian Energy Institute and Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Join Historic MIT Cooperation Agreement

    Two members of RTO Lithuania – Lithuanian Energy Institute and the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry – are among the key partners in a groundbreaking cooperation agreement signed with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on January 28, 2024, at the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Lithuania.

    The agreement establishes the MIT-Lithuania Seed Fund, which will promote cutting-edge research collaborations between MIT faculty and Lithuanian researchers. The $900,000 initiative, spread over three years, is part of the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI) programme.

    As consortium members, both institutes will participate in various forms of cooperation, including joint scientific research, technology projects, innovation development, and international mobility of researchers. The partnership aims to address key areas such as renewable energy, sustainable environment, and agro-innovation.

    The Lithuanian Energy Institute was represented at the signing ceremony by its Director, Prof. Dr. Saulius Gudžius, who also participated in a panel discussion titled Partnership between Lithuania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology: preparing to play in the top league.

    This historic collaboration positions Lithuania to become a regional leader in science and innovative solutions, while strengthening the country’s transatlantic ties and increasing its visibility in the international arena.

  • RTO Lithuania prepares the S&T policy recommendations for the new government

    RTO Lithuania prepares the S&T policy recommendations for the new government

    The Association of Research and Technology Organizations (RTO Lithuania), representing three leading Lithuanian research institutes, has presented comprehensive recommendations for strengthening the country’s science, technology, and innovation (STI) ecosystem.

    The recommendations emphasize Lithuania’s potential to become a leading STI country while highlighting the need for fundamental changes in the current system. Among the key proposals is the initiation of a National Research, Technology and Innovation Programme focused on climate resilience and strategic autonomy, covering areas such as plant technologies, semiconductors, and renewable energies.

    A major emphasis is placed on bridging the gap between industry, research institutes, and universities through an Excellence in Applied Sciences programme. The association also calls for enhanced collaboration between science, business, and investors through pilot demonstration projects.

    To address brain drain and attract talent, RTO Lithuania recommends establishing a researcher attraction grant programme coordinated by the Lithuanian Research Council, including support for returning Lithuanian researchers and foreign experts.

    The recommendations also focus on reforming the scientific evaluation system, making it less dependent on quantitative indicators and more aligned with EU Research Area reforms. Additionally, the association proposes improvements to the industrial doctorate program and calls for increasing the number of PhD students while enhancing their study conditions.

    A crucial point in the recommendations addresses research funding, highlighting the current shortfall in R&D expenditure (0.47% of GDP) and emphasizing the need to reach the targeted 0.75% of GDP by the end of 2024, as agreed in the Agreement between Lithuanian political parties.

    The proposals also include strengthening science diplomacy, increasing internationalization through joint research programs, and enhancing funding for the Next 100 programme, which supports student internships at leading global institutions.

    These recommendations were presented by Sigitas Rimkevičius, President of the Association’s Governing Board, representing the collective vision of the Centre for Physical and Technological Sciences, the Lithuanian Energy Institute, and the Lithuanian Agrarian and Forestry Research Centre.

    The document can be found here: S&T policy recommendations

  • Collaboration between LAMMC and LEI scientists

    Collaboration between LAMMC and LEI scientists

    We are pleased that scientists from the RTO Lithuania association members, representatives of the LAMMC and LEI, PhD student Greta Striganavičiūtė and Dr. Marius Praspaliauskas, recently participated in the international HORIZON Europe XTRACT “A Sustainable Ecosystem for the Innovative Resource Recovery and Complex Ore Extraction” project meeting in Greece. Their participation is a great example of cooperation between the RTO Lithuania association members.
    Interdisciplinary cooperation is essential for achieving breakthroughs in sustainability and climate change research.

    More information about the project: news article in Lithuanian.