University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Pomology

Yes

Croatia

Associated beneficiary

Coordinating beneficiary

Yes

Public body

University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture (FAZ) is the leading higher education and science institution in the field of agriculture and related sciences in the Republic of Croatia. During the past 90 years, more than 12,000 students have received graduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees at FAZ. Our mission is to acquire, develop and transfer knowledge in order to educate our students, scientists and experts. FAZ involves over 200 researchers in scientific and research work. Since its establishment in 1919, FAZ is assisting Croatian food sector through dissemination of new technologies, best practices and innovation. Within Faculty departments there are 28 laboratories and 6 experimental stations intended for teaching, and scientific and technical activities. Through international collaboration with Universities and Research Institutions in all over the World, FAZ is capable to be reliable partner for implementing novel technologies and acquiring knowledge for further advancement of agricultural and food sector booth locally and internationally. Many SME have been benefited from consultancy service of FAZ through technical studies and expertise in implementing modern technologies in agricultural production. FAZ has ISO-certified laboratories capable to perform up-to-date analytical procedures necessary for completion demanding international projects . FAZ Activity in LIFE Programme FAZ was coordinating beneficiary of succesfully ended LIFE+ project (LIFE13 ENV/HR/000580) 'Low pesticide IPM in sustainable and safe fruit production' (16/06/2014 – 16/12/2017). The total cost of this Project was 1.778.792,29 €, in which EC contribution was 841 352,29 €. The partners involved in Project including FAZ are Agra d.o.o., Apofruit Itali Soc. Coop. Agricola, Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna, Università degli Studi di Torino and Xeda International S.A. More information can be found at project website (www.life-susafruit.eu). FAZ is also one of the associated beneficiary of Life+ project (LIFE13 ENV/HU/001092) 'INSECTLIFE – Innovative Real-time Monitoring and Pest control for Insects' (01/06/2014 – 31/12/2018). The total budget of this project is 3.008.627,00 €, in which LIFE+ co-financing is 1.489.270,00 € with EU contribution of 1.519.357,00 €. The Coordinating beneficiary of this project are Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and partners are FAZ (Croatia), HELION Engineering Consulting Service Ltd. (Hungary) and DeakDelta Ltd. (Hungary). FAZ was partner in LIFE+ project (LIFE05 TCY/CRO/000105) 'Development of the Croatian Soil Monitoring Programme with a pilot project' that was performed from 2006-2009. This project aimed to (i) create national standards and methods for a soil monitoring programme, harmonized with EU requirements; (ii) identify locations for nationwide soil monitoring plots, (iii) identify potential reference centers for gathering and analyzing data, and (iv) develop proposals for financing the construction of a soil monitoring system. The project tested the proposed methods in a pilot project. Within this project, more than 300 monitoring sites were established on different soil types (agricultural, forestry and contaminated soil types) from which data were gathered together with georeferencing each site. Based on this data, a GIS database was established with basic information on the situation of different types of soil (forests, agriculture and contaminated soils). Project proposed that a Soil Information System of Croatia (SISC) should be established using all monitoring data (including georeferencing information). The creation of a database on Croatian soil and its implementation in an integrated environmental monitoring system has helped decision-makers to protect the natural resources of the Republic of Croatia.The role of FAZ was to monitor agricultural soils during pilot project was set up to monitor the effects on different soil types on three crops: winter barley, winter wheat and oil seed rape. Testing of soil parameters helped to identify the areas of high-risk areas that present those threats. This will help to take next steps for the creation of a soil monitoring programme and the adoption of Regulation on Soil Monitoring.

Coordinating beneficiary: LIFE13 ENV/HR/000580 'Low pesticide IPM in sustainable and safe fruit production' (16/06/2014 – 16/12/2017). (www.life-susafruit.eu). Associated beneficiary: LIFE13 ENV/HU/001092) 'INSECTLIFE – Innovative Real-time Monitoring and Pest control for Insects' (01/06/2014 – 31/12/2018). LIFE05 TCY/CRO/000105) 'Development of the Croatian Soil Monitoring Programme with a pilot project'