In the agri-food sector, innovation no longer springs solely from new seeds or novel recipes: increasingly, it is enabled, accelerated and scaled through the underpinning of modern infrastructure. Whether digital networks, smart processing facilities, logistics hubs, or advanced extraction and valorisation units, infrastructure plays a foundational role in transforming ideas into commercialised, sustainable food solutions. Within Europe, and particularly through initiatives like CROSSPATHS, the alignment of infrastructure investment with innovation strategy is emerging as a key lever for delivering healthier, more sustainable and affordable food systems.

1. Defining modern infrastructure in the Agri-Food context

When we talk about infrastructure in the agri-food domain, we refer to more than just roads, warehouses and cold-stores (though these remain vital). Modern infrastructure includes digital connectivity (e.g., sensors, IoT, 5G), data platforms, advanced processing and extraction units, waste-valorisation plants, distributed logistics and smart supply chains. As one recent review stated, “digitalisation is both an enabler of production efficiency and a radical innovator redesigning business models and agricultural practices” in agri-food systems. (ScienceDirect)

Likewise, broader infrastructure – such as research-pilot plants, regional R&I centres, collaborative testbeds and cross-border networks – provide the space where innovations can move from lab to pilot to market. For instance, modern processing infrastructure enables side-stream valorisation of agricultural by-products, advanced extraction of bioactives, or modular flexible manufacturing that can adapt to changing consumer demands.

In the context of CROSSPATHS, the focus on leveraging ERDF-funded regional research infrastructures and linking them to EU-level networks underscores the critical importance of infrastructure as a platform for innovation. The project seeks to “create a highway to Horizon Europe” by mobilising under-used infrastructure across Poland, Portugal and Estonia, thereby enabling healthy, sustainable, affordable food solutions. (SpringerLink)

2. How modern infrastructure enables Agri-Food innovation pathways

Modern infrastructure contributes to innovation in the agri-food sector in multiple interconnected ways.

• Digital connectivity and data-driven systems. Infrastructure such as high-speed wireless networks (e.g., 5G), sensor arrays, and integrated data platforms allow real-time monitoring of farm, processing and supply chain operations. For example, one study on “5G on the farm” highlights how reliable wireless connectivity is critical for agrifood robotics and autonomous systems, and that older networks (4G) fall short in performance. (arXiv) By enabling real-time telemetry, predictive analytics and machine-to-machine communication, such infrastructure helps agriculture shift from reactive to proactive modes, reducing waste, optimising inputs and shortening time-to-market.
• Advanced processing, extraction and valorisation facilities. Modern infrastructure enables value-chain innovations: for example, side-stream valorisation of agricultural by-products or extraction of plant-based bioactives requires specific laboratory and pilot-scale infrastructure, good regulatory support, and logistics to feed processed intermediates into food systems. Projects aligned with CROSSPATHS emphasise exactly this: combining processing competence in one region with extraction expertise in another, with the infrastructure to integrate across borders.
• Logistics, storage and cold-chain networks. Without adequate infrastructure to preserve, transport and distribute perishable goods, innovation efforts remain constrained. As one World Bank blog noted, infrastructure development “not only facilitated the adoption of new agricultural technologies, but also helped enhance market linkages” in agrifood systems. (Groupe de la Banque mondiale) A modern storage facility or cold-chain hub allows novel food products (for example enriched or personalised foods) to reach wider markets, supports shelf-life extension, reduces losses, and thus improves economic viability of innovation.
• Testbeds, pilot plants and research infrastructure networks. When innovators develop new processing lines or extraction methods, they require infrastructure that is both trustworthy and accessible. Modern research infrastructures—well-equipped labs, pilot-scale plants, regulatory-ready environments—reduce the “valley of death” between demonstration and commercialisation. CROSSPATHS aims to network regional infrastructures so that partners in Poland, Portugal and Estonia can access each other’s facilities, thereby amplifying capacity and reducing time to market.
• Data platforms and ecosystem infrastructure. Infrastructure may also mean platforms for data sharing, collaboration and business development. For example, federated learning infrastructures allow agrifood actors to share insights without giving up raw data, enhancing innovation across value chains. (arXiv) Such digital ecosystem infrastructure supports cross-organisation and cross-border collaboration, which is especially aligned with the CROSSPATHS objective of internationalisation and networking.

In these ways, modern infrastructure doesn’t just support incremental improvement—it enables transformational innovation by changing how we organise production, processing, logistics and consumption.

3. The benefits of building and leveraging modern infrastructure for innovation

Investing in and leveraging modern infrastructure brings several distinct benefits for agri-food innovation.

Firstly, it accelerates innovation adoption. When infrastructure is ready and accessible, research outputs can quickly spin out into operational systems. Infrastructure lowers entry barriers for SMEs and research teams to experiment, iterate, and scale.

Secondly, it improves cost-effectiveness and resource efficiency. Modern processing and logistics infrastructure reduces losses (post-harvest, processing waste) and improves yield of valuable outputs (for example, higher extraction efficiency of bioactives). Efficient infrastructure also allows more sustainable production modes (less energy, less waste, circularity), aligning with sustainability goals.

Thirdly, it enables scale and market reach across regions. For innovations to have impact, they need scalable infrastructure that spans regions and borders. A local pilot is one thing; deploying at European scale requires networks of infrastructure, standards, and logistics. In this sense, CROSSPATHS is strategically designed to connect regional infrastructures to European R&I networks, thereby supporting scaling and wider market access.

Fourthly, it enhances system resilience. Infrastructure such as diversified logistics, real-time monitoring systems, digital connectivity and flexible processing plants allow agrifood systems to be more responsive to disruptions—be they climate shocks, supply-chain disruptions or changing market demands. In turn, this resilience supports innovation uptake because risk is actively managed.

Fifthly, it builds innovation ecosystems. Physical infrastructure (labs, pilot plants) and digital infrastructure (data platforms, networks) serve as hubs around which research, industry and policy converge. Infrastructure fosters collaboration, knowledge exchange and multi-disciplinary innovation. CROSSPATHS’ emphasis on human resources, training, brokerage events and networking signals that infrastructure is more than hardware—it’s ecosystem.

4. Challenges and considerations in leveraging infrastructure for Agri-Food innovation

Despite the clear value proposition, deploying and utilising modern infrastructure in the agri-food sector is not without obstacles. Recognising these helps in designing more effective strategies (such as those within CROSSPATHS).

One challenge is inequitable access and under-utilisation of infrastructure. Some regional research infrastructures may be funded but poorly integrated into wider networks, leading to under-use. The aim of CROSSPATHS to draw ERDF-funded regional research infrastructures out of isolation illustrates this challenge. Without networks and international linkages, infrastructure risk remains high.

Another is high capital and operational investment costs. Modern processing plants, data platforms, logistics hubs, sensor networks—all require substantial investment. Smaller actors (start-ups, SMEs, rural research units) may struggle to access or afford such infrastructure. Pooling through consortia, regional-European co-funding, and collaborative models are therefore vital.

Regulatory, digital and interoperability constraints also matter. For example, digital infrastructure must cope with disparate data formats, sensor standards, connectivity gaps in rural areas, and data-protection regimes. Without alignment, even high-tech infrastructure may fail to deliver. The federated learning work mentioned earlier underscores that infrastructure alone isn’t sufficient—governance and standardisation matter too. (arXiv)

Geographic and logistical mismatches impose further burdens: infrastructure located in one country may not easily serve partners in another due to customs, transport costs, language issues or regulatory burdens. Cross-border infrastructure collaboration (as promoted by CROSSPATHS) needs careful governance and alignment.

Another key consideration is ensuring that infrastructure aligns with market and user needs. Having a state-of-the-art facility is insufficient unless it is connected to real actors, value chains, and end-users. Infrastructure must serve innovation pathways that are viable, not simply exist for demonstration. Projects must avoid “showcase infrastructure” that remains idle post-project.

Finally, infrastructure sustainability is critical. Infrastructure often enjoys initial funding, but long-term maintenance, upgrades and utilisation may get neglected once project funding ends. Ensuring sustained usage, business models, and integration into innovation ecosystems is vital. CROSSPATHS addresses this by explicitly linking infrastructure to European networks and aiming for long-term impact and sustainability.

5. How CROSSPATHS leverages modern infrastructure to drive Agri-Food innovation

Turning to our main reference point, CROSSPATHS provides a clear illustration of how modern infrastructure underpins agri-food innovation in a cross-border European context.

Firstly, CROSSPATHS brings together three institutions in Poland, Portugal and Estonia, each with regional infrastructures financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). These infrastructures might previously have been regionally confined and under-exploited in international arenas. By networking and linking them, CROSSPATHS creates a shared infrastructure platform across borders, thereby enhancing access and utilisation.

Secondly, the project focuses on the thematic priority of “healthy, sustainable, affordable” food. To deliver on this, it must integrate food-processing, bioactive plant extraction, in vivo validation, side-stream valorisation and value-chain logistics. Such integration requires well-equipped infrastructure (pilot lines, extraction units, analytics labs, data platforms) and collaborative networks. The modern infrastructure becomes the enabler of this multi-dimensional innovation pathway.

Thirdly, CROSSPATHS emphasises capacity building and human resources: staff exchanges, training, summer schools and brokerage events. These activities turn ‘infrastructure’ into ecosystem infrastructure — not just physical assets but relations, skills, networks that multiply the value. The infrastructure thus becomes leveraged by human capital.

Fourthly, the sustainability and scaling dimension is built into CROSSPATHS: rather than a standalone pilot, the project aims to connect regional asset bases to European research and innovation networks (Horizon Europe), thus ensuring the modern infrastructure feeds into broader innovation and funding ecosystems. This means that infrastructure is not isolated but embedded in a European scale-up logic.

Finally, by aligning infrastructure-enabled innovation with market and regulatory realities (healthy food, side-stream valorisation, affordable products), CROSSPATHS demonstrates that infrastructure is not an end in itself—it is a strategic enabler. The modern infrastructure supports not just research but value creation, commercialisation and international outreach.

6. Key recommendations for stakeholders regarding infrastructure and Agri-Food innovation

For institutions, policy-makers, industry and ecosystem builders aiming to leverage modern infrastructure for agri-food innovation, the following recommendations emerge:

• For research institutions and pilot infrastructure facilities: Ensure that infrastructure is accessible, networked and aligned with innovation needs. Don’t build equipment in silos—connect to regional, national and European networks (as CROSSPATHS does).
• For industry and SMEs: Seek partnerships that grant access to modern infrastructure rather than always investing in your own. Shared facilities, regional hubs, and cross-border networks reduce cost and risk.
• For policy-makers and funders: Support infrastructure not just as physical assets but as networked, accessible, sustainable platforms. Encourage shared use, cross-border linkages and capacity building. Funding models should consider operational sustainability beyond initial investment.
• For ecosystem builders & innovation brokers: Facilitate matchmaking between infrastructure providers and innovation actors. Build digital platforms, data networks and collaboration frameworks.
• For all stakeholders: Align infrastructure investments with clear innovation roadmaps and market pathways. Modern infrastructure is most effective when tied to purpose: a product, value-chain innovation, market need and scaling strategy.
• Finally, ensure sustainability of infrastructure: consider business models, long-term maintenance, upgrades, open access and cross-use. Link regional infrastructures to broader networks to avoid isolation or under-utilisation.

7. Looking ahead: infrastructure trends shaping the future of Agri-Food innovation

Looking to the future, several infrastructure trends are poised to reshape the agri-food innovation landscape:

• Widespread digital connectivity in rural and remote areas: As wireless networks improve (e.g., 5G, LPWAN, satellite IoT), infrastructure will enable real-time sensors, unmanned systems, robotics and data-driven farm-to-fork operations at scale. The “5G on the farm” study underscores that without modern connectivity, innovation is curtailed. (arXiv)
• Data-sharing and ecosystem infrastructure: Federated learning, digital twins, and cloud platforms will allow agrifood actors to collaborate, pool data and accelerate innovation without compromising privacy or competitiveness. (arXiv)
• Flexible, modular processing infrastructure: Infrastructure will shift from large fixed plants to smaller, modular, adaptable units—capable of handling side-streams, switching product lines and enabling customisation.
• Circular economy infrastructure: Valorisation of agricultural by-products, bio-based materials, and integration of waste streams into food value chains require new infrastructure. For example, advanced extraction units and recycling loops will become standard.
• Logistics and cold-chain modernisation: As food innovation shifts to freshness, traceability and global markets, infrastructure for cold-chain logistics, smart packaging, sensor-active storage will be critical.
• Infrastructure as service: More facilities will be shared, co-used, networked across borders. Projects like CROSSPATHS illustrate the connectivity of infrastructures as a service rather than source.
• Sustainability and resilience built-in: Infrastructure will increasingly embed sustainable design (energy efficiency, circular inputs) and resilience (climate-proof, adaptable to disruptions) to support agri-food innovations that must cope with global shocks.

In this context, those actors that build, connect and leverage modern infrastructure will be better placed to lead agri-food innovation—not just locally, but across the European and global stage.

8. Conclusion

In conclusion, modern infrastructure is a foundational pillar for agri-food innovation. It spans digital connectivity, advanced processing, logistics networks, research platforms and data ecosystems. Through such infrastructure, ideas can be tested, scaled, and deployed across regions with greater speed, lower risk, and higher impact. Yet infrastructure alone is not sufficient: it must be accessible, networked, connected to ecosystems, embedded in innovation pathways and aligned with market realities. The CROSSPATHS project stands as an instructive example: by connecting regional infrastructures across Poland, Portugal and Estonia, aligning them with European networks and focusing on healthy, sustainable, affordable food solutions, it demonstrates how modern infrastructure becomes the platform on which agri-food innovation can truly evolve. For stakeholders across research, industry, policy and networks, investing in and connecting modern infrastructure is not an option—it is a strategic imperative for the future of food systems.

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