In Chania, CIHEAM puts artificial intelligence at the service of more resilient agri-food systems
On 10 and 11 September 2026, CIHEAM Chania hosted the 194th Seminar of the European Association of Agricultural Economists (EAAE), under the theme “Matching Agri-Food Systems and Ecosystems via AI: Aligning Digital Innovation with Sustainability and Policy Goals”. Researchers, experts and policymakers are exploring how artificial intelligence and digital innovation can support the transformation of agri-food systems while addressing sustainability, resilience and ecosystem preservation. Opened by Teodoro Miano, Secretary General of CIHEAM, alongside George Baourakis, Director of CIHEAM Chania, the Seminar begins with a keynote address by Donato Romano, from the University of Florence, on the shift “From food as a commodity to the geopolitics of food”.
Digital innovation at the service of Mediterranean territories
Agri-food systems today face unprecedented challenges driven by climate change, biodiversity loss, resource scarcity, and the growing need to ensure food security, quality and safety. These pressures highlight the urgency of developing more resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems that support ecosystem protection, biodiversity conservation and long-term societal goals. Digital innovation, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), offers promising tools to address these challenges. By facilitating knowledge transfer, helping identify sustainable practices suited to local conditions, and supporting data-driven decision-making, AI can contribute to aligning agri-food systems with ecosystem needs. Such innovation can strengthen resilience, reduce vulnerabilities and create synergies between technology, policy and sustainability across the Mediterranean basin.
Connecting science, innovation and public policy
The programme reflects this multidimensional approach. Discussions address AI and its governance, smart agriculture, digital skills, agroecology and crop diversification, as well as sustainable food choices, traceability, value chains, animal welfare and climate adaptation. The Seminar was preceded on 9 September by several scientific meetings focusing notably on legumes and nature-based solutions, as well as the first European Policy Exchange of the CropMATCHING project, dedicated to policy and governance for small-scale farming. Under the theme “From Policy Gaps and Farmers’ Needs to Policy Recommendations”, the dialogue contributes to bringing farmers’ needs, scientific knowledge and policy recommendations closer together.
Strengthening Euro-Mediterranean scientific dialogue
By hosting the 194th EAAE Seminar, CIHEAM reaffirms its role in building bridges between science, public policy and realities on the ground, while fostering diverse perspectives and the search for shared solutions to Mediterranean challenges. Teodoro Miano also recalled the scientific and educational vocation of CIHEAM Chania and the importance of an open and diverse Euro-Mediterranean community, with particular attention to women and younger generations. The discussions will also continue beyond the Seminar. Selected papers presented in Chania may be considered for publication in a special issue of NEW MEDIT or in a multi-authored edited volume in Springer’s Cooperative Management series.