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In Finland, awareness of the problems caused by fusarium and mycotoxins has grown significantly over the past couple of years. They have become a major challenge for farmers, even though such issues were rarely encountered before.

The idea of the project would be to explore whether the detection mycotoxins can be carried out with reasonable accuracy and reliability. Delving into the root causes may require extensive research, since the relationship between fusarium and the resulting mycotoxins does not currently appear to follow any clear or logical pattern.

The idea is to provide farmers tools to verify that their grain is free from harmful levels of mycotoxins, or at least remains below the safety thresholds. One possible approach could be selective harvesting, which would prevent poor-quality grain from mixing with high-quality grain. This way, farmers could avoid losing the value of entire batches.

Project idea is from Petri Linna and Ulla Heinonen (petri.linna@jamk.fi, ulla.heinonen@jamk.fi), Jyväskylä university of applied science.

We are looking for partners for this idea. We have done fusarium and mycotoxins tests during this summer and we like to continue this sector research very close of farmers, companies and organizations which can helps to solve farmers situations in this problem.

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Soil monitoring with intelligent sensors 

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Soil monitoring with intelligent sensors 

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Dr. Moammar Dayoub

Agricultural Economist, University of Turku, Finland

Email: moammar.dayoub@utu.fi

Establishment of a smart sensing system to monitor soil conditions in agricultural fields.

The system uses AI and machine learning models to optimize sensor placement and analyze data efficiently. It operates across several farms to optimize the timing of cultivation and the best location of sensors and can generalize predictions to farms without installed sensors.

I'm looking for

Partners from EIP-AGRI Operational Groups for the transnational cooperation project

I am interested in natural resource economics, smart farming, feasibility studies, and cost and statistical analyses.

My role as an agricultural economist involves implementing and piloting, analyzing data to improve farming efficiency, supporting sustainable agriculture, and guiding smart decision-making for farmers and agribusinesses. I work alongside a team of AI and machine learning experts in the Department of Computing at the University of Turku.

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Improve IoT technology in sustainable cultivation methods of crops and perform field tests, monitoring, and forecasting.

My role as an agricultural economist involves implementing and piloting IoT technology, analyzing data, and studying markets to improve farming efficiency, support sustainable agriculture, and guide smart decision-making for farmers and agribusinesses. I work alongside a team of AI and machine learning experts in the Department of Computing at the University of Turku.

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This space is designed to help you connect, collaborate, and build partnerships for EIP transnational Operational Groups. Here's how you can contribute:

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This space is designed to help you connect, collaborate, and build partnerships for EIP transnational Operational Groups. Here's how you can contribute:

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1. Share your project idea or the challenge you aim to solve. Are you looking for international partners to join your future EIP-AGRI Operational Group? Post your idea and challenge here!

2. Promote your expertise – If you're an individual expert or organisation interested in joining a group, create a short profile to showcase your expertise.

3. Present your existing Operational Group – Already part of an Operational Group or consortium? Introduce your team, expertise, and interest in transnational cooperation.

4. Add your contact details (e-mail) – So that potential partners can reach out to you directly and easily.

Let’s connect across borders and make innovation happen!

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Are you looking for a good guide on how to proceed with EIP transnational Operational Groups?

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Are you looking for a good guide on how to proceed with EIP transnational Operational Groups?

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You can find it here.

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Contact persons for EIP-AGRI support in each country. Feel free to contact any of us with your burning questions related to the application process.

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Contact persons for EIP-AGRI support in each country. Feel free to contact any of us with your burning questions related to the application process.

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Finland: Tuija Kallio is the Network Coordinator for AKIS and Innovation at the Finnish Rural Network. She supports innovation and connects agri-food R&D actors, EIP-AGRI Operational Groups, rural entrepreneurs, and developers.
📧 tuija.kallio@ruokavirasto.fi

Latvia: Edgars Linde is the head of the Latvian CAP Network Support Unit, also focusing on EIP support and AKIS coordination.
📧 edgars.linde@llkc.lv

Estonia: Konstantin Mihhejev has worked as an innovation broker at the Estonian Rural Network for 10 years, providing support to agri-food actors, Operational Groups, and innovation clusters nationally and internationally.
📧 konstantin.mihhejev@metk.agri.ee

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Project idea: Improving Soil Health through On-Farm Composting and Microbial Inoculants

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Project idea: Improving Soil Health through On-Farm Composting and Microbial Inoculants

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👩‍🔬 Dr. Anna Leppik

Soil Scientist | Sustainable Agriculture Expert

📍 Tartu, Estonia

📧 anna.leppik@agroinno.ee

I’m developing an EIP-AGRI project idea focused on improving soil fertility and structure on small and medium-sized farms using low-cost on-farm composting systems combined with regionally adapted microbial inoculants. The aim is to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers while enhancing long-term productivity and carbon sequestration.

What I'm looking for:
🔹 Farmers or producer groups interested in piloting composting techniques
🔹 Researchers in microbiology or compost quality analysis
🔹 Technology developers (e.g. simple compost monitoring tools)
🔹 Partners from Finland and Latvia for a transnational cooperation project

My background:
I hold a PhD in soil science and have led several applied R&D projects related to organic matter management and climate-smart agriculture.

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Project Idea / Challenge: reduce water consumption by 30% in strawberry cultivation

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Project Idea / Challenge: reduce water consumption by 30% in strawberry cultivation

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👩‍🔬 Mansikka oy

Strawberry producer

📍 Kestilä, Finland

📧 mansikka@mansikka.fi

We are a small-scale agricultural enterprise specializing in sustainable berry production. Our challenge is to reduce water consumption by 30% in strawberry cultivation while maintaining high yields and quality. Climate change and rising water costs are making traditional irrigation methods unsustainable for small farms.

We are seeking:

Technology providers for smart irrigation, IoT devices, and AI analytics

Research institutions with expertise in horticulture, water efficiency, and climate adaptation

Farmer cooperatives for pilot testing in different climatic regions

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Moammar Dayoub _ Project idea: Bio economy practices 

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Moammar Dayoub _ Project idea: Bio economy practices 

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The project aims to support rural community in developing entrepreneurial skills and to strengthen bioeconomic practices such as sustainable farming, food processing, renewable energy use, waste recycling, circular economy models, and ecosystem services. It also seeks to promote networking by piloting a network of experts, raising awareness of bioeconomy opportunities, and supporting the integration of community as bioeconomy entrepreneurs in rural areas.

We are looking for international partners from Finland, Estonia, and Latvia to collaborate in this initiative, particularly those with expertise in bioeconomic and entrepreneurship.

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Project Idea: Innovative Feed Development from Plant-Based By-Products

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Project Idea: Innovative Feed Development from Plant-Based By-Products

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Marge Malbe, DVM PhD

Chief specialist in valorization of plant resources

📍 Polli Horticultural Research Centre, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia

📩 e-mail: marge.malbe@emu.ee

The agricultural and food sector generates large amounts of plant-based by-products like pomaces from fruits and berries, peels, husks, press cakes and others that are often discarded. These residues contain nutrients and bioactive compounds and are useful as sustainable feed ingredients.

Objectives:

Identify and characterize suitable plant-based residues from food and agricultural industries which are potential in use as animal feed.

Develop processing methods to ensure safety, nutritional value, and palatability of these residues.

Identify the effects of incorporating plant-based residues into animal diets on animal physiology and product quality.

I am looking for partners for the project:

Research institutions with expertise in animal nutrition and/or the development of feeds based on plant by-products.

Feed producing companies interested in utilizing plant-based residues in their production.

Farmers willing to participate in pilot experiments with the use of plant by-products.

Consultants with experience in the field of animal husbandry and feed management.

My background:

I hold a PhD in Veterinary Medicine and have experience in nutrition on different animal species. My professional background includes working both in research institutions and in a compound feed producing company, where I focused on feed development and animal nutrition strategies.

Currently, my work is centered on the valorization of apple and black currant pomaces for use in animal feed and food applications.

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Detecting plant diseases through monitoring airborne fungal spore levels

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Detecting plant diseases through monitoring airborne fungal spore levels

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Contact: rose@soilprotection.earth

Develop a monitoring system that tracks airborne spore levels and defines infection risk thresholds, enabling farmers to detect threats earlier and apply treatments at the optimal time.

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Bringing grain dryers into the 21st century

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Bringing grain dryers into the 21st century

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Contact: rose@soilprotection.earth

Many grain dryers that farmers use today were built 10-20 years ago. While these older systems generally perform well, they lack the efficiency and benefits of modern technology.

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By digitizing these dryers at a low cost, it is possible to significantly reduce drying expenses with only a small financial investment. In addition to monitoring what is happening in the dryer, the control system allows the operator to control the dryer from a mobile device.

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Lack of research-based knowledge for farmers on maize cultivation in Estonia

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Lack of research-based knowledge for farmers on maize cultivation in Estonia

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Farmers face challenges in fertilising maize, balancing between mineral fertilisers, liquid manure, and digestate while avoiding fungal risks such as yeast-related molds. The adoption of strip-till and inter-row fertilisation methods is increasing, but technology choices strongly affect plant health and efficiency. Harvest timing and cutting height are critical for optimising starch content and silage quality, yet maize’s growing dominance in feed creates risks when grassland areas decrease. The project idea is to develop and test sustainable maize cultivation technologies—covering fertilization, disease prevention, strip-till, and harvest strategies—to ensure higher yields and better forage quality.

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Development and application of DNA metagenomic and RNA analysis to solve agricultural and forestry challenges

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Development and application of DNA metagenomic and RNA analysis to solve agricultural and forestry challenges

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contact: kairi.raime@ut.ee

We are open to collaboration where modern DNA- and RNA-based methods (PCR, next-generation sequencing, metagenomics) can be applied to practical problems: early detection of plant and animal diseases, microbiome monitoring, and innovative diagnostic tools. This includes improving plant health, supporting honeybee health, ensuring food and feed authenticity and safety, and addressing forestry-related topics.

Our expertise:

Development and application of PCR

Innovative next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches

DNA- and RNA-based metagenomic methods

Bioinformatics analysis and custom pipelines

Experience in plant, animal, microbial DNA analysis, food, and other environmental mixed and processed DNA or RNA analysis

We were involved in EIP-AGRI OG projects related to honey DNA ("Authentic honey meets DNA technology", ARIA 2024 Awarded) and honey RNA analysis in 2020-2023.

Potential applications of bulk DNA and RNA analysis:

Plant health (pathogens, virus detection)

Pollinator (honeybee) health (pathogens, viruses, parasites)

Environmental health and safety

Food and feed composition, authenticity, and safety

Pathogen detection and monitoring in the environment

Forest plant species authenticity

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Food interests

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There is an idea to develope an initial concept for an urban farm in Tallinn, designed to be a low-tech, permaculture-based space that integrates animals, vegetable growing, and circular economy practices. The farm would serve as an educational and experiential hub for schools, kindergartens, entrepreneurs, and the wider public—promoting sustainable living, ethical animal care, and traditional wisdom.

The direction of the project depends on the lead partner and collaborative input from local stakeholders. While the idea is still evolving, the goal is to create a practical and inclusive initiative that connects people with nature and fosters community engagement.

Tallinn is a strategic location due to its accessibility and population density. Partners include the City of Tallinn and Estonian Permaculture Association. Potentially joining METK, Forum Virium Helsinki. We welcome input from potential project leads to shape the focus and ensure meaningful impact.

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Collaboration Request /Expertise available 

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Collaboration Request /Expertise available 

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Hello, I am Surang Kodithuwakku, a Senior Research Fellow from Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, EMU, Estonia. My back is on molecular physiology and cell and molecular biology. I would like to join with a consortium and contribute with in vitro testing of compounds / extracts, bio-active ingredient using in vitro cell culture based models and analysis ( e.g. toxicology, safety) before further trials. If any one requires such expertise, please drop me an email to suranga@emu.ee