Registration for the online regional hackathon HACK AgriFood’20 has started!

AgriFood Lithuania DIH, together with international partners, has announced the beginning of registration for the regional online two-day hackathon HACK AgriFood’20, which will take place on November 21-22, 2020. Participants will be able to choose from 18 unique challenges, divided into 6 different categories, that the agri-food sector is facing today.

During the two-day hackathon innovators from Lithuania and neighboring countries will:

get mentorship and guidance from experts at the top of their fields;
have the opportunity to pitch their ideas during the international AgriFood Forum 2020;
compete for a solid cash prize;
be invited to participate in unique interactive entertainments.

Anyone interested can join HACK AgriFood’20 at www.hackagrifood. Registration for the hakathon will be open until November 18.

Challenge categories: Fighting food loss and food waste; Crisis-averse horticulture; Mitigating labor shortage; Smart animal husbandry; Side-stream valorization; Boosting local production.

Project “Optimal catch crop solutions to reduce pollution in the transboundary Venta and Lielupe river basins” (LLI-49 CATCH POLLUTION)

In September, 2019, Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VDUŽŪA) together with partners from the Center for Environmental Policy (AAPC) (Lithuania) and Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics (AREI) (Latvia) finished implementation of the project “Optimal catch crop solutions to reduce pollution in the transboundary Venta and Lielupe river basins” (LLI-49 CATCH POLLUTION) which was supported by the Interreg V-A Latvia-Lithuania Cross Border cooperation programme 2014-2020.

Project “Optimal catch crop solutions to reduce pollution in the transboundary Venta and Lielupe river basins” (LLI-49 CATCH POLLUTION) was initiated with the aim to investigate catch crop potentials to reduce agricultural pollution in the transboundary Venta and Lielupe RBDs, extend the existing knowledge about catch crops and quantify their potential environmental effects and benefits, support farmers in decision making, and initiate a dialog between farmers, experts and stakeholders about future developments of agri-environmental measures in Latvia and Lithuania. To facilitate a wider application of catch crops, project experts prepared recommendations for catch crop support and guidance on the required implementation actions. The decision support tool was elaborated to help farmers in finding catch crop options best suiting to the needs of their farm.

All project results can be found here:

https://latlit.eu/lli-49-optimal-catch-crop-solutions-to-reduce-pollution-in-the-transboundary-venta-and-lielupe-river-basins/

Project implementation period: April 1, 2017 – September 30, 2019

Project number: LLI-49

Project acronym: CATCH POLLUTION

Project budget: 201 845 EUR

ERDF funding: 171 568 EUR

Project supported by Interreg V-A Latvia-Lithuania Cross Border cooperation programme 2014-2020 http://www.latlit.eu/

More info: www.europa.eu

This information has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.

The visits in Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences and Lublin University of Life Sciences

Prof. dr. Honorata Danilchenko and prof. dr. Elvyra Jariene (Institute of Agriculture and Food Science, Faculty of Agronomy) visited the Wroclaw University of Environment and Life Sciences on 13-17 of January and University of Life Sciences in Lublin on 10-14 of February, 2020 in Poland under the Erasmus + Training and Training Exchange Programs.

New structural changes of Vytautas Magnus University, development and internationalization of study programs, research activities at the Institute of Agricultural and Food Sciences of the Faculty of Agronomy were introduced to colleagues of the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences of the Wroclaw University of Environment and Life Sciences and academic staff of the Faculty of Agro-bioengineering of University of Life Sciences in Lublin during the visits.

The changes in the Polish higher education system were introduced to visiting professors. During the discussions with students and teachers, there were discussed about the innovative teaching methods that’s motivate the young generation’s creativity and the pursuit of knowledge.

During the visit the professors of the Vytautas Magnus University Agricultural Academy had a possibility to get an acquainted at approved research laboratories. Modern analytical methods used to evaluate the quality of raw materials were introduced at the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation (JUNG, Pulawy).

The visit has given an opportunity for exchanging the ideas on future education and research cooperation’s, improving the academic relations between relevant institutions of both universities in the academic and scientific field.

prof. dr. Honorata Danilčenko, prof. dr. Elvyra Jarienė

COMPETITION FOR EXCHANGE STUDIES AT non-EU/EEA COUNTRIES

ATTENTION TO ALL VMU STUDENTS!
COMPETITION FOR EXCHANGE STUDIES AT non-EU/EEA COUNTRIES (Erasmus+ and VMU Bilateral Exchange)

Students are invited to participate in a competition for one semester exchange studies at non-EU/EEA countries with Erasmus+ or VMU Mobility scholarship.

Students have to submit completed online application form (Outgoing – Application for Bilateral and Erasmus Study Exchange) until 1st of March, 2020

Selection criteria:

compatibility between the plan for studies or research at the Higher Education Institution abroad and the study programme at VMU;
motivation;
results of studies or research during the last two semesters (for VMU Mobility scholarship GPA should be no less than 8.0);
good knowledge of the language in which lectures will be taught.

Selected students will receive Erasmus+ or VMU Mobility scholarship.

Students will be personally informed via email about the results of first selection stage and invitation to second stage – interview.

MORE INFORMATION

Professor Olaniyi Jacob Babayemi: Visiting teacher under European Union ERASMUS+ Programme, November 2019

Professor Olaniyi Jacob Babayemi, is from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. He is a former Head of Department of Animal Science and the present Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of the same University. He is a specialist in Ruminant Production and Management. He teaches ruminant nutrition, pasture and range management, conservation and utilization by cattle, sheep and goats. He handles the Bachelor and Postgraduate students in the area of scientific reporting, the experience he garnered as supervisor and reviewer of articles for high reputable journals.

Professor O. Jacob Babayemi came to the University of Vytautas Magnus, Kaunas, Lithuania, as visiting teacher, in the frame of European Union ERASMUS+ programme STA. He was hosted by Dr Romas Ruibys of the Faculty of Agronomy for the period of stay. During the period, the visiting professor from Nigeria, delivered a lecture to about 65 students and four professors. The lecture, titled “Writing scientific reports” was based on the critical area of needs by the students for project and article submissions. With wrap attentions by the audience, the lecturer presented his teaching on the principle for having attractive project title, exclusive abstract, well justified introduction, unambiguous review of literature, repeatable materials and methods, systematic flow of results, convincing discussion, succinct conclusion and credible bibliography. The lecture was adjudged good and well applauded by the students. Prof Jacob Babayemi is a teacher indeed, and we desire he comes every year to teach the students in this uncommon subject. In order to show our pleasure, a certificate signed by the Dean of the Faculty was presented to him.

International Scientific conference “World Conference on Sustainable Life Sciences (WOCOLS 2019)” at Budapest

On June 30 – July 07, 2019 assoc. prof. dr. Jurgita Kulaitienė, lecturers dr. Dovilė Levickienė and dr. Nijolė Vaitkevičienė of the Department of Agriculture and Food Sciences from Vytautas Magnus University (VDU) Agriculture Academy, Faculty of Agronomy, were participating at International Scientific conference “World Conference on Sustainable Life Sciences (WOCOLS 2019)” at Budapest, Hungary.

The main organizers of the conference were scientists of the Department of Crop Science of Agriculture Faculty of Erciyes University, Turkey. The main purpose of this conference was to bring together researchers, scientists in universities, institutions to provide them a unique platform for sharing worldwide ideas as well as the recent developments on life sciences. It was possible to meet with scientists from different countries (Turkey, United States, Italy, Czech Republic, Iran, Georgia, Slovakia etc.) and to discuss various issues about food science opportunities, visions, and carried out studies.

During the conference, in the section “Agriculture” J. Kulaitienė made presentation “Carotenoid content and composition in rose hips (Rosa Spp.) during ripening”, D. Levickienė made presentation “The effect of the biodynamic preparations and harvest month of quality indicates in the leaves of white mulberry (Morus Alba L.) grown in Lithuania” and N. Vaitkevičienė made presentation “Influence of cultivar and different farming systems on the contents of flavonoids in potatoes”. At the conference, the presentations received the attention of the participants. Discussions were initiated, as well as we were praised for working on interesting and relevant topics.

During the conference also were made new contacts with professors from Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun-Turkey. Likewise have exchanged views to prepare the project together connected with Sustainable Life. The participation in the conference has given an opportunity for getting to know the scientists of the other countries, as well as change contacts for collaboration.

International Symposium on “Delivery of Functionality in Complex Food Systems” at Porto, Portugal

On 07- 10 July, 2019 assoc. prof. dr. Jurgita Kulaitienė and lecturer dr. Nijolė Vaitkevičienė of the Department of Agriculture and Food Sciences from Vytautas Magnus University (VDU) Agriculture Academy, Faculty of Agronomy, were participating at 8^th International Symposium on “Delivery of Functionality in Complex Food Systems” at Porto, Portugal.

The main organizers of the symposium were scientists from University of Minho, Portugal. This series of symposia have managed to gather, throughout the years, an interdisciplinary team of scientists from different research areas (food science and engineering, biophysics, applied soft matter, food technology, applied human nutrition) and very different proveniences (from academia, industry and young researchers) and places around the World. Overall participation has resulted in 1 plenary and 8 keynote lectures, 49 oral presentations and over 103 posters, in a total of 30 countries represented.

During the symposium, assoc. prof. dr. J. Kulaitienė made presentation “Effect of farming systems on the quantitative and qualitative composition of phenolic acids in potato tubers with different coloured flesh” and dr. N. Vaitkevičkienė made presentation “Effect of farming systems on the quantitative and qualitative composition of anthocyanins in potato tubers with red and purple flesh”. At the symposium, the presentations received the attention of the participants.

During the symposium also were made new contacts with scientists from different countries. Therefore, the participation in the symposium has given an opportunity for getting to know the scientists of the other countries, as well as change contacts for collaboration.

(https://www.dof2019.org/).

Secondment to Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies

In May 1-3, associate professor of the Department of Agriculture and Food Sciences Jurgita Kulaitienė, lecturer Nijole Vaitkevičienė and Dovilė Levickienė, pHd students Dalė Televičiūtė and Aloyzas Velička from Vytautas Magnus University (VDU) Agriculture Academy, Faculty of Agronomy, visited Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies.

During the visit the International Baltic Conference “FoodBalt 2019 and NEEFood 2019” was attended. The aim of the Conference: to bring together scientists interested in food, quality and innovation in this area. It was possible to meet with scientists from different countries (Turkey, Portugal, Russia, Estonia, etc.) and to discuss various issues about food science opportunities, visions, and carried out studies. It was also a unique event in which leading food scientists and young scientists such as doctoral students or MSc students was able to exchange the latest research results in their areas of the research, and acquire additional knowledge in other research areas.

In the conference we presented 2 posters (The changes of bioactive compounds in different genotypes of rosehips flesh; Total phenols, phenolic acids and flavonoids content of different mint species) and one oral presentation (The effect of plant extracts on the synthesis of biologically active compounds in germinated leguminous). An award for the best oral presentation was given to PhD student – Dalė Televičiūtė.

Teaching visit to University of Zagreb (Croatia) and attendance in international conference

In March 04-08, 2019 professors PhD Algirdas Jasinskas (Vytautas Magnus University, Agriculture Academy, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering) and Kęstutis Romaneckas (Vytautas Magnus University, Agriculture Academy, Faculty of Agronomy) visited University of Zagreb according to the programme ERASMUS+.

The main objectives of the mobility was to increase the professional oral and objective skills while presentations for foreign students; to increase skills in English; to grow up the competencies exchange; to grow up the relations with teachers and students in University of Zagreb. Also to attend to the international scientific conference “Actual tasks on agricultural engineering” with presentations and articles. During visit, professors presented lectures on the topics: Soil tillage and sowing systems for sustainability; Weed management. Theory and practice in Lithuania; Evaluation of agricultural technologies. During the lectures professors discussed with students and colleagues about the differences of Lithuanian and Croatia economic, climate and environment situation, technical approaches and technologies in agriculture. In scientific conference, they presented 3 oral presentations. Two articles were published in materials of conference (CA WOS Conference Proceedings). In free time, professors made sightseeing in wonderful places of Zagreb and Opatia.

International Scientific Conference New trends in Food safety and quality (NIFSA 2019)

Dear Participants of the Conference,

We are pleased to invite you to participate already in International Scientific Conference ‘New trends in Food safety and quality‘. The Conference will take place in Kaunas (Lithuania) from 12 to 14 June 2019.