The FUSION project consortium held its Second General Assembly in Cairo, Egypt (September 15–17, 2025), bringing together partners from across the Mediterranean to review progress and strengthen collaboration on actions aimed at reducing food loss and waste in tomato and pepper value chains.
Strengthening collaboration and knowledge exchange The meeting, hosted by the Agricultural Research Center (ARC) and the Plant Protection Research Institute (PPRI), opened with institutional welcome remarks from Prof. Ahmed El Sayed Abd El Mageed (Director of PPRI), Prof. Encarna Aguayo (FUSION Coordinator, UPCT), and Prof. Adel El Sayed Hatem (ARC).
Expert presentations addressed the journey of Egyptian agriculture from field to market and innovative opportunities in the drying sector. A highlight was the participation of the «Dried Company», which presented how drying tomatoes and peppers can enhance food security and reduce post-harvest losses.
Advancing Work Package 4: Training and Good Practices
A central focus was the progress of Work Package 4 (WP4). Partners, led by UPCT and GDS, discussed technical recommendations and the development of training contents. These materials are designed to empower farmers and agribusiness workers with practical, accessible solutions for post-harvest handling, ensuring they are adaptable across different Mediterranean contexts.
Aligning next steps and Technical Innovation
Partners reviewed upcoming deliverables and demonstration plans for FUSION technologies. The meeting concluded with a technical visit to the Dried Company’s facilities in the industrial zone of 6th October City, Giza. Participants observed industrial-scale heat and freeze-drying processes, gaining first-hand knowledge of how these treatments significantly reduce food loss while creating new market opportunities.
Building momentum for impact
The General Assembly reinforced the shared commitment to delivering tangible, scalable solutions. By combining innovation, training, and real-world demonstration, FUSION continues to move forward in its mission to promote more sustainable and resilient food systems across the Mediterranean.
