The Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation Competitiveness Cluster
Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation groups together more than 420 private and public organisations active in the agriculture, agri-food and agro-resources sectors.
Based in Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and a driving force within the national and European ecosystem, this extensive network works to support the development of its members and the vitality of local areas by fostering innovation as a response to major contemporary challenges.
Based in Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and a driving force within the national and European ecosystem, this extensive network works to support the development of its members and the vitality of local areas by fostering innovation as a response to major contemporary challenges.
UT Capitole member of Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation
A collaboration between the competitiveness cluster and the economics researchers at TSE has been in place for several years. Beyond economic issues, Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation now intends to expand its partnership with other departments at the Toulouse Capitole University. Indeed, new fields of research are emerging within the cluster, particularly in the area of legal analysis.
CSR, agro-ecological transition, intellectual property and biotechnology are research topics that feature very prominently on the competitiveness cluster’s list of priorities.
Carole Hermon, UT Capitole representative at Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation
What are the key issues?
Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation enables UT Capitole to strengthen its partnerships with the local business community. By working with companies on innovation projects, we can conduct more forward-looking research with significant economic implications. “This partnership provides financial support for our research, but it also enriches it intellectually, as all these companies can, if they are interested in our topics, provide us with the necessary study sites and experimental fields,” explains Carole Hermon.
Carole Hermon, UT Capitole’s representative to the competitiveness cluster
As the coordinator of the Master’s programme in Law and Management of Agricultural and Agri-Food Enterprises, she has already led an initial project involving students as part of a pilot scheme carried out across numerous farms aimed at combating climate change (soil carbon sequestration). The aim was to provide a legal analysis of the new funding mechanisms available for this type of agriculture. She is calling on the legal research community to take action beyond this initial project.
The objectives of the competitiveness cluster
- To encourage collaboration between businesses, research organisations, universities, engineering schools and secondary schools…
- To foster the emergence of innovative ideas.
- To support the development and implementation of projects.
- To facilitate access to public and private funding.
- To award accreditation to projects and businesses.
Priority areas for innovation
- Preserving natural resources and adapting production to climate change.
- Developing agroecological methods of animal and crop production.
- Rolling out technologies to achieve operational excellence on farms and in processing plants.
- Making the most of resources and eco-products within a bioeconomy framework.
- Ensuring safe, healthy and sustainable food so that people can eat better.
- Offering innovative food applications and services.