Digital Innovation for Functional and Transparent Food Chains

The project connects digital transformation in dairy farming with the growing demand for functional foods. The project’s core objective is to implement precision livestock farming tools—such as behavior monitoring sensors, milk quality tracking, and health alerts—on small and medium-sized farms to ensure high-quality raw material for functional dairy production. This data will be linked with a digital traceability system accessible to consumers via smart labeling (QR codes, mobile apps), enabling full transparency on product origin, nutritional content, and sustainability indicators. The project also supports the co-development of probiotic, omega-3 enriched, or immune-supporting dairy products through research-industry cooperation. Consumer engagement tools and tailored marketing strategies will help communicate added value and build trust in rural brands.

Expertise Offered

I bring cross-disciplinary expertise in veterinary medicine, animal science, and digital innovation in livestock systems, with a strong focus on precision farming, sustainable dairy practices, and One Health approaches. I coordinate a national research project on digital transformation in Romanian dairy farms and have experience with international collaboration, EIT Food initiatives, and science communication. I am also involved in developing digital guides for farmers and researchers and have field-tested animal monitoring systems such as SenseHub.

Role in the Consortium

I would contribute as a research and demonstration partner, supporting on-farm technology deployment, animal health and behavior analysis, and developing traceability concepts. I can lead pilot activities in Romania, coordinate data collection and analysis, and contribute to training materials, dissemination, and stakeholder engagement across Central and Eastern Europe.

Type of Partners Sought

• Food processing SMEs or cooperatives interested in developing functional dairy products;

• Digital solution providers (IoT, traceability platforms, smart packaging);

• Consumer engagement or behavior researchers;

• Universities or R&D institutes specialized in nutrition, functional food innovation, or food safety;

• Living labs or demo farms for testing and validating solutions;

• Cluster organizations or NGOs focused on sustainable food systems and rural development.