Registrations are open for the third cycle of the experiment Citizen Science Increase (Intelligent Collections of Food Legumes Genetic Resources for European Agrofood Systems). It is an innovative scientific project - funded by the European H2020 program - which aims at the characterization, management, conservation and enhancement of theagro-biodiversity and genetic resources. As? The Increase project promotes the use, cultivation and consumption of 5 species of beans through the development of agriculture that has environmental protection, food safety and health at its core, in order to mitigate the effects of changes climate change and support the agricultural and food system and production. To participate you need to register within 28 February 2023 on portal dedicated. But let's see in detail how the Increase project works.
Beans and biodiversity: how Increase works
After signing up, you receive the seeds of 5 bean varieties to be grown at home (in the garden or even on the balcony) plus a so-called "control" sachet with seeds that flower of a very early variety of borlotto nano, which is used to verify the progress of the experiment. Plant and grow bean seeds according to the given instructions. Then you have to download the app dedicated "Increase Csa", in which the "citizen-scientists" will have to send the results of the cultivation to the scientists who follow the European program and to the other farmers, with whom a path divided into the various stages of growth of the beans is shared. You can suggest tips and best practices, for example with texts, images and videos, which could help other participants via the dedicated app.
Collect the seeds and reproduce the seeds for the following years (they are distributed only once to each citizen but the initiative will last four years). The seeds will then be multiplied by citizens who keep the Citizen Science initiative active beyond the five-year period. Offer seeds for exchange with other citizens (using a protocol developed with FAO) and then cook and enjoy them. Finally, submit your ratings and recipes that will be featured in the “Thousands of Traditional and Innovative Bean-Cooking Recipes” posted on the Increase website.
Here's how you register:
- Download the Increase Csa application and install it on your smartphone.
- Create an account by entering a login email address and password.
- Open the menu by clicking on the three dashes in the upper left corner.
- Click on the submenu for Cse registration.
- Enter the required data and send the registration.
Science is not limited to scientists
Citizen Science has reached its third year with over 7 European citizens registered. Public participation in scientific research is becoming increasingly crucial to increasing everyone's understanding of science and its benefits to society. But even more important to make science and scientific approaches more collaborative, open to all and global. Create new eating habits to make the future of the next generations sustainable and at the same time bear witness to a message of protection of biodiversity, which through small gestures that require little time enters their daily life. All you need is a field, garden, terrace or balcony.
The importance of legumes
The importance of vegetable, and in particular of beans, is demonstrated by the fact that the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has defined them as "nourishing seeds for a sustainable future". It is therefore necessary “to raise public awareness of the important role of legumes for sustainable food production and a healthy diet and their contribution to food security and nutrition; promote the value and use of legumes throughout the food chain, their benefits in terms of soil fertility and climate change and the fight against malnutrition; encourage connections throughout the food chain to promote pulse production, encourage research enhancement and address challenges in the pulse trade field” (FAO 2016).
