NUTRIFEEDS – Nourishing Europe's Future through Regenerative Livestock Feed
Projects / Scientific Research
NUTRIFEEDS is a European project funded by the Horizon Europe programme that aims to transform the animal feed production system, making it more sustainable, circular and based on local resources. The project develops innovative solutions that convert agricultural by-products and underutilised resources into high-nutritional-value ingredients for animal feed.
It contributes to the transition towards a more sustainable food system in Europe, in line with the Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy, whilst promoting innovation, biodiversity and agricultural self-sufficiency.
Terraprima leads a working group in WP4 – Climate adaptation in feeding systems, and carries out tasks in two other groups in WP5 – Development of non-invasive monitoring systems for livestock feeding and in WP7 – Sustainability assessment under a life cycle approach.
Terraprima is also actively participating in a pilot test, contributing to the assessment of the impact and sustainability of regenerative agricultural systems, ensuring that the solutions tested are measurable, replicable and aligned with resilient agricultural practices that have a low environmental impact.
General Information
Technical Specifications
Project title
- NUTRIFEED - Nourishing Europe's Future through Regenerative Livestock Feed
Project number
- 101235536 (Grant Agreement)
Programme
- Horizon Europe – Research and innovation project
Duration
- 2025–2029
Funding
- ~€6.8 million
Partnership
- 15 organisations from 12 countries
Partners
The consortium comprises 15 partners from 11 European countries and 1 Asian country, including universities, research centres and companies in the agri-food sector.
Main partners:
- FREIE UNIVERSITÄT BERLIN (FUB) (coordinator)
- AARHUS UNIVERSITET (AU)
- ELLINIKO MESOGEIAKO PANEPISTIMIO (HMU)
- KAUNO TECHNOLOGIJOS UNIVERSITETAS (KTU)
- HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO (UH)
- UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO (UM)
- UNIWERSYTET WARMINSKO MAZURSKI W OLSZTYNIE (UO)
- UNIVERSITY OF NAPLES FEDERICO II (UN)
- THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH (UEDIN)
- RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR LIVESTOCK BIOLOGY (FBN)
- Fermentationexperts AS (FE)
- TERRAPRIMA - SERVICOS AMBIENTAIS SOCIEDADE UNIPESSOAL LDA (TP)
- CONTACTICA SL (CTA)
Associated partners:
- ETH ZURICH (SW)
- SICHAUN AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY (CHI)
Pilots
NUTRIFEEDS is implementing three real-world innovation pilot projects, which validate technological solutions and agricultural practices in an operational setting, ensuring their applicability and scalability within the agri-food sector.
Pilot #1 – Insect Upcycling
Focused on the use of insect larvae (Black Soldier Fly) to convert agri-food by-products into protein of high nutritional value, promoting the circular economy and reducing dependence on imported raw materials.
Pilot #2 – Targeted Fermentation
Explores advanced fermentation processes to improve the digestibility, nutritional value and safety of plant-based ingredients, contributing to more efficient and sustainable animal feed.
Pilot #3 – Regenerative Farm & Silvopasture
This pilot takes solutions to the field, integrating innovative feed with regenerative agricultural systems, such as silvopasture. It assesses impacts on soil, biodiversity, emissions and the economic viability of farms.
Objectives
- Develop sustainable, local and regenerative sources of animal feed
- Reduce Europe’s dependence on imported proteins
- Promote the circular economy through the recovery of agri-food waste
- Improve animal health, welfare and productivity
- Support the adoption of innovative solutions in the agricultural sector
Approach
The project combines various innovative technologies and practices:
- Using insects to convert waste into protein
- Fermentation processes to enhance nutritional value
- Regenerative farming systems (e.g. agroforestry)
- Digital tools and artificial intelligence to support decision-making
Main Expected Results
- More sustainable and efficient feed production
- Reduction in food waste and emissions
- Improved animal health and soil quality
- Increased resilience of farms
- Development of replicable circular economy models
