The rationale of this proposal relies on the growing demand for sustainable food production and better quality food products implying chain production optimization of agricultural raw materials. The agri-food chain plays an important role in Europe’s economic, cultural and political life. Further challenges influencing the chain are climate change, sustainability of natural resources, need for stronger regulation (food safety, safe working conditions, etc.), ageing workforce, competition in global markets and competition between big chains and small
holdings, new delivery methods, changing consumer demands, ethical concerns and knowledge-intensive technology. The energy sector (bio-fuel production) and rural development policies also have growing impact on the agri-food sector.

The focus of proposed Programme is to offer training in each aspect of the production value chain, improving knowledge and competitiveness, and bringing innovation into the sector.

The focus of this Doctoral Program (DP) “Agricultural production chains-from fork to farm” fits research policy and research projects in progress at host institutions. Aiming to promote interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary, to expand the knowledge boundaries, to solve problems related to “great challenges”, to expand the mind-set of PhD students, making them capable of valuing different methods and research perspectives.

The DP was designed, using international benchmarking criteria, from the demand side rather than the supply side, thinking on attracting overseas students and to identify opportunities for enhancement.

Mobility of students during the DP is a must, either for conducting research and to attend lectures advanced courses, seminars in specific subjects. It is intended to organize seminars to promote the knowledge across the topic of the DP in Portugal by teachers from partner institutions, in which students will be also involved.