Josep Usall: "We must feed the population without harming ecosystems"

Caldes de MontbuiThe Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA) has been dedicated for four decades to research and innovation in the agrifood sector, contributing to the transformation of food systems to achieve sustainable well-being in a world increasingly threatened by climate change. Josep Usall, IRTA's Director General, analyzes how science can help feed the future.

How would you explain what IRTA is?

— IRTA is a research center with some unique characteristics. One of its most distinctive features is that it was established in 1985 by an act of Parliament. We are the only research center in Catalonia with its own specific legislation. Furthermore, we are proud to say that it was approved unanimously by all parliamentary groups. IRTA was founded with the aim of supporting the food sector, which was still in its infancy but already held significant economic potential for Catalonia. The research center's objective was to provide technical, scientific, and innovation support to this food sector. Another unique aspect is that it was established as a public company. The idea was to work alongside the sector, giving it a legal structure that was more accessible to businesses and, therefore, better able to operate on a daily basis. It has a board of directors composed of public administration officials, but also includes industry professionals who help guide our research. Another characteristic is that we conduct neither basic nor applied research, but rather research focused on addressing challenges. Therefore, our objective is to understand the challenges facing the food sector on a global scale and, based on these challenges, determine how we can contribute. When research already exists, we adapt that knowledge to our context. We transform it into innovation and make it available to the industry. Each year, we conduct approximately 600 knowledge transfer activities, including workshops, talks, courses, and meetings. Our priority is ensuring that all knowledge reaches the industry. These activities also help us understand the challenges and guide our research. We must follow a cyclical approach, moving from the challenge to the knowledge itself.

How has its mission evolved over these four decades?

— The initial objective was to demonstrate the importance of this emerging sector, and it has since become Catalonia's leading industrial sector. The agri-food sector is now more significant than the biomedical, chemical, or automotive sectors. This has been achieved through a modernization process. The priorities, which initially focused on sustainable intensification, have shifted towards sustainability. While it's essential to produce a large quantity of high-quality, healthy food, production must be sustainable to ensure its continued viability. Therefore, numerous sustainability initiatives, digitalization processes, and new technologies have been implemented to modernize and update the entire sector.

What is the diet of Catalans like?

— Our diet is among the best in the world. Catalans eat well. It's based on the Mediterranean diet. It's true that over the years some of that richness has been lost because people's lifestyles have changed. We eat at home less, we spend less time cooking, and we want to eat the same products all year round. We should make an effort to raise awareness about the importance of recovering some of the values of this more balanced and richer diet that we have in our country. But overall, our diet isn't bad.

How does climate change affect us?

— Climate change is extremely important for two reasons. First, because the agri-food sector is out in the open, and therefore, the alterations caused by climate change have a direct impact. We must therefore work extensively on adapting to this climate change. Plant biology is changing, and crops that could previously be grown can no longer be cultivated. We have limited water resources, and we must work to use it efficiently.

Where should we focus our efforts? On the consumer, the producers, or the governments?

— If we look at the food production chain, from production to consumption, we see three very important elements. One is food waste. If you produce food and it isn't consumed, it means that this production is completely unsustainable. We must ensure that consumers are better informed so they can help us reduce waste. Another important element of the chain is the production stage, and we are working hard to see how we can produce the maximum amount of food with the minimum amount of production. Another important element for sustainability is the packaging we add to food. I'm thinking of the plastic, the box, and the bag. All of this adds to the unsustainability of the system. We must improve all processes if we want to have a sustainable food system.

Is the consumer information good?

— From what we're seeing, consumers are still quite uninformed. There's so much information available that it's difficult to understand. A segment of the population is very aware, but not everyone. The information available is also very varied. We have too much information, and that makes it very difficult for people to understand what's being done. That's why the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food is promoting pilot programs in schools to introduce subjects related to food, so that people understand what it means to eat well and that some products are seasonal. If you want to eat the same product all year round, it means it will come from elsewhere.

There are many fake news in the sector?

— Many. And concepts that don't exist. We feel that red meat is carcinogenic or that it's the fault of climate change. This information isn't true, but people repeat it. We are all very susceptible to what we eat. We, the government and research centers, have a lot of work to do to provide accurate information so that people understand the reality.

How will food change in the coming years?

What we're seeing is a dual trend. There's a growing trend among a smaller segment of the population to return to their roots, to cook locally sourced food at home. Next to any supermarket, there are three or four greengrocers. This isn't being lost. There's a real need for local produce, but it's also true that a large number of people are moving from rural areas to cities. Living in a big city changes the dynamics. These foods are already prepared. New foods will appear, and many of them will come from other places. When we talk about insects or algae, they're already common in other parts of the world. What we're doing is incorporating other existing protein sources into our diets. This will take some time, but it will become more widespread. We'll eat insects, perhaps not directly, but flour made from them is very high in protein and tastes good. At the same time, we must maintain our roots and continue to support traditional cuisine, which provides a great source of nutrients and protein and, moreover, ties us to our land.

What projects is IRTA developing to adapt to the constant changes our environment is experiencing??

The innovation and knowledge transfer promoted by IRTA are key to ensuring the future of our sector, moving towards more sustainable production models that generate prosperity, wealth, and territorial cohesion. Thanks to scientific knowledge, we can invest in genetic improvement programs. A prime example is the Stellar apple, the world's first early variety specifically adapted to climates with warm summers. Another example is the production of oysters adapted to the Ebro Delta, which are more resistant to temperature changes and pathogens.

Its purpose is to contribute to transforming food systems for a future of sustainable well-being.

— This concept, One Health, is important. Our slogan speaks of science to feed the future. The idea is to generate the knowledge that makes the sector more effective. It can produce better, higher-quality food, but the ultimate goal is for the population to be better nourished. But we don't just want to feed ourselves and think about the future; we want it to be sustainable. Well-being is very important because you can produce food sustainably, but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll generate well-being. The idea is to generate balanced well-being. That's why, with this One Health concept, we also refer to a single well-being, which is linked to the ecosystem. Balance is crucial. When we produce food, we're doing so within the ecosystem, but then it's used to feed the population. We must continue feeding the population without damaging the ecosystems that ultimately provide us with this balance. This is a significant conceptual shift.

What are the biggest challenges for the future?

— At IRTA, we have five major challenges for the coming years. One that affects the entire research system is the issue of talent. If you want to conduct effective research, you need talented people. IRTA has the advantage of being spread across the country. This is good, but it's very difficult to get people to relocate. The other challenge is infrastructure, which must be top-notch. The third major challenge is disseminating this knowledge to all stakeholders. From government bodies, which must understand that policy decisions should be based on scientific results, to the manufacturing sector and society at large. The fourth challenge is that if we want to face the challenges of the future, we must understand what will happen. We are currently addressing the challenges ahead, but we must start anticipating what will happen in the future. Therefore, we must research things that may seem somewhat innovative and unusual, but which will be crucial in a few years. The final challenge is that, if we want to reach the entire value chain, we must promote the growth and development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We are working on the whole issue of entrepreneurship to help these companies that are spread throughout the territory.

What can be done to improve the digitization of the sector?

— Technology can help achieve many of these goals. Companies are rapidly advancing in artificial intelligence and digitalization. The food sector is finding it difficult to adopt these new technologies, but we must help bring it closer. We have seen that it is important for these technologies to be adapted to the local context. We test new technologies to see if they work and to demonstrate to producers how to use them.

What is your alliance strategy?

— One of the themes we've discussed is the need for a holistic perspective, because everything is so interconnected now. It's crucial to connect with other researchers, not just those in our immediate area, but from around the world. Excellent research is being done, and it's pointless to simply repeat what someone else has already done. If knowledge already exists, let's engage with those who have done it and adapt it to our own context. In the research world, people are very open and willing to share their experiences.

Is Catalonia ready to export technology and talent?

— In Catalonia, we conduct excellent research. We publish extensively and have a significant impact, but we've generally neglected to translate this knowledge into innovation. At IRTA, in this respect, we're somewhat advanced in this approach of generating knowledge that has an impact. When we travel the world, our research center is a benchmark in the agri-food sector. We're well-positioned.

What should we expect from Agriculture 4.0?

— New technologies will gradually be introduced, and this will change the profile of the industry. Older producers find it more challenging, but these new technologies make life easier for new producers. In terms of sustainability, these new technologies allow us to use significantly less water. This is an important tool for sustainability, but it's also crucial for younger generations to enter the sector. One challenge we face is the issue of generational shifts. I believe these new technologies can be tools that help these younger generations find work in this sector.

What are the specific characteristics of viticulture?

— It is one of the major agricultural sectors in Catalonia, and IRTA has prioritized it in its strategic plan. Traditionally, Catalonia has had a strong viticultural tradition, but research in this area has been limited. We have decided to make a significant effort in this area and increase our research capacity related to viticulture. Climate change and water are two of its biggest challenges.