University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture (FAZ) is the leading higher education and science institution in the field of agriculture and related sciences in the Republic of Croatia. During the past 90 years, more than 12,000 students have received graduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees at FAZ. Our mission is to acquire, develop and transfer knowledge in order to educate our students, scientists and experts.

FAZ involves over 200 researchers in scientific and research work. Since its establishment in 1919, FAZ is assisting Croatian food sector through dissemination of new technologies, best practices and innovation. Within Faculty departments there are 28 laboratories and 6 experimental stations intended for teaching, and scientific and technical activities. Through international collaboration with Universities and Research Institutions in all over the World, FAZ is capable to be reliable partner for implementing novel technologies and acquiring knowledge for further advancement of agricultural and food sector booth locally and internationally. FAZ has ISO-certified laboratories and experienced staff capable to perform demanding international projects such as LIFE+.

FAZ experts have been involved in creation of existing legislative in the area of IPM and have extensive knowledge and experience acquired through implementing scientific and technical projects as well as consultancy given to fruit producers. FAZ successfully participated as partner in LIFE+ project 'Development of the Croatian Soil Monitoring Programme with a pilot project' (LIFE05 TCY/CRO/000105) (2006-2009). This project brought fundamental activities of soil monitoring and ensured necessary data for planning and implementation of the policy of sustainable soil management of in the Republic of Croatia.

www.agr.unizg.hr/en

The Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna (UNIBO) is one of the most important institutions of higher education across Europe and one of the most active Italian universities in research and technology transfer. At the European level UNIBO successfully participated in FP6 and FP7 programs. At the UNIBO, research activities are promoted and coordinated by Departments autonomously. The Departments in the UNIBO that will participate in the project is the Department of Agricultural Science (DipSA), in particular the scientific area of Plant Pathology and Phytoiatry and CRIOF (research centre of DipSA) have over 40 years of experience in the plant pathology in pre and post-harvest field and all infrastructures required to carry out the project. The Phytoiatry area is involved in the study and in the evaluation of fungiciedes to control plant fruit diseases, but also physical and biological means such as antagonists natural substances and resistance inducers. New strategies for an integrated pest management are under validation. Considering the fruit production chain some means of fruit protection in postharvest phase are as controlled, dynamic and modified atmosphere are assayed. CRIOF maintains daily contact with association of growers assisting them in the management of fruit disease and storage. CRIOF is involved in dissemination of results on its researches CRIOF has wealth of experience In handling EU and national projects: EU BIOPOSTHARVEST (Proposal n. 64/14); ISAFRUIT (project n. 016279, 6th Programme) and EU COST project 924.

www.unibo.it/en

www.scienzeagrarie.unibo.it/en

University of Turin Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (UNITO – DISAFA) has a long tradition of research in the field of biological control and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Over the years, investigators from the DISAFA have set up and applied large-scale inoculative and inundative biological control programmes. The group is formed by two subunits, one specialized in crop protection against plant diseases and the other one specialized in the control of insects and other plant pests. Particular attention was focused on exotic and emerging pests as well as on insect vectors of vegetable and fruit crops. Some of these projects included research activities on pesticide use reduction and/or teaching and educational campaigns aiming to promote IPM and organic farming. The plant patology subunit has strong experience in the biological and integrated control of fruits and vegetables, through the development of antagonistic microorganisms, the use of natural substances, essential oils, heat treatment, inducers of resistance. The group has also experience in the biology, epidemiology and occurrence of plant pests and pathogens and in the development of molecular detection and monitoring tools against plant pests and pathogens. DISAFA carries out basic and applied research, teaching, knowledge and technology transfer, life-long learning and communication on up-to-date topics in the agro-environmental and agro-food sectors. It has several national and international collaborations and possesses extensive facilities including molecular, microbiological and chemical laboratories, experimental fields and greenhouses.

Moreover, the Department of Management will be involved too. It is committed to cross-cutting research about several issues, including technogical innovation, encompassing expertise from legal to economic disciplines. As to the project topics, European administrative law as well as managerial studies are concerned, with a specific focus on regulatory constraints and business impact about the proposed actions.

www.unito.it/unitoWAR/page/unito/home_en

www.unito.it/unitoWAR/appmanager/dipartimenti9

AGRA is founded in 1990, as small and dinamic family company. Main bussinesses of this company are fruit production (8 hectares of apple and 9 hectares of peach) and selling of anti-hail protection nets, measuring and other equipment for agriculture. Currently AGRA employes 6 permanent employers. AGRA is strongly oriented toward innovation and it sees participation in SUSAFRUIT project as further improvement of its technology practices through inovation, and contribution to protection of environment since we are socially responsible company.

www.agra.hr

Apofruit Italia is a cooperative enterprise that has been operating on the international market for more than 50 years with its own structures and producer-members from the north to the south of Italy. Apofruit Italia is a leader production organization in fruit and vegetable sector with about 4.000 member farmers, 12 production plants and 6 reception and storage centres on national territory; intense activity aimed at renewal of the varieties grown; product and process innovation; services customized for modern sales channels, and organizational and management efficiency in running the company. Apofruit manages about 200.000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables of which more than half is exported in EU. The cooperative includes a staff of 25 specialized agricultural advisers for technical assistance to farms and applies the integrated and organic production system guidelines. Overall the experience gained in recent years and profuse and continual exchange of information with various organisations operating on the sector enhance the capacity for practising advanced integrated and organic production and likewise the possibility of sustainable organic production from the technical standpoint. Apofruit is also engaged in a constant search for tools and techniques to the proper management of the products in post-harvest in order to reduce losses severe during storage.

www.apofruit.it/en

Xeda international is a French company with a capitalization of 1 071 000 Euro and incorporated in 1976. Headquarters are at Saint Andiol France. Xeda offers the most complete and innovative range of post-harvest chemicals. Our products and our technology are patented worldwide.

Xeda manufactures and markets packing machinery, equipment for the individual labelling of fruit and vegetables and chemical application equipment.

Xeda is committed to sustainable agriculture and every year invests approximately 18% of itsturnover in Research & Development and in registrations to bring new and efficient technology and chemicals to the market that respect both people and the environment.

www.xeda.it/en