CERERE

In recent decades, the global agri-food landscape has undergone a profound transformation. Traditional supply chains have evolved into complex, interdependent networks—often dominated by large processors and retailers. This shift has left small farmers with a shrinking share of added value, disincentivizing new entrants and undermining the economic sustainability of rural agricultural communities.

The situation is particularly acute in the Mediterranean and MENA regions, where the cereal sector faces an array of systemic challenges as low income levels and aging farming populations; outdated agricultural practices and low youth engagement; limited access to digital tools, education, and credit, inadequate infrastructure and weak policy support.

The fragility of these systems has been exacerbated by climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical instability—each exposing vulnerabilities in food security and supply resilience. In response, CERERE aims to transform cereal supply chains by building local capacity, enhancing risk management, and promoting sustainable innovation across the region.

CERERE is designed to deliver long-term, systemic impact through six key strategic goals:

1. Enhanced Visibility and Predictability
   Leverage digital tools like IoT and digital twins to identify weak points, reduce uncertainty, and improve forecasting in cereal supply chains.

2. Risk-Based Supply Chain Management
   Apply predictive analytics for early threat detection and mitigation, fostering proactive and cost-effective responses among supply chain actors.

3. Localized and Inclusive Practices
   Promote agricultural practices aligned with local socio-economic and cultural conditions, encouraging participation, equity, and knowledge-sharing.

4. Agile and Low-Carbon Supply Chains
   Improve responsiveness to disruptions through real-time data flows, local sourcing strategies, and reduced environmental impact.

5. Crisis Mitigation and Restructuring
   Enable stakeholders to adapt and reorganize rapidly in times of crisis, maintaining operational stability and performance.

6. Technology and Innovation Uptake
   Accelerate the digital transformation of smallholders and rural producers, combating land abandonment and improving livelihoods across Mediterranean and MENA communities.

CERERE brings together a diverse and multidisciplinary consortium of universities, research institutes, private companies, and civil society organizations across Europe and North Africa. The project is coordinated by the University of Calabria (UNICAL) in Italy.

CERERE is funded by the PRIMA Programme 2023 – Section 1 – Food Value-chain 2023 – Topic 1.3.1 (RIA) – Increasing resilience of agri-food supply chain (cereal) in the MENA region, Grant Agreement No. 2331.