The Government is continuing to strengthen its commitment to the agricultural sector in a more transparent, innovative and sustainable way through the SMART Food project, an initiative between Malta and Italy under the Interreg programme.
During a conference organised by the Malta Food Agency, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo emphasised the importance of this project in strengthening trust in the food chain and in improving traceability systems through technology. The SMART Food project aims to bring together Maltese and Sicilians to develop a modern platform that uses Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain technology to provide real-time information on the journey of food products, from production to the final consumer. This initiative is responding to a growing demand from consumers who want to know more about the origin, safety and sustainability of the food they consume. At the same time, it is supporting farmers, producers and operators to adopt more efficient and competitive practices.
Minister Anton Refalo, said that, “The SMART Food project is an important step towards a more transparent and reliable agri-food system. This is not just about technology, but about how we empower consumers and support our operators to be more innovative and competitive. As a small country, Malta has the flexibility to be at the forefront of new solutions that improve our sector.” He added that through the Malta Food Agency, Malta is taking a central role in the management, development and training associated with this project, to ensure that its benefits reach all operators in the sector.
Chief Executive of the Malta Food Agency, Brian Vella, said that, “The SMART FOOD project is important because it supports the future of local food in Malta. For the Agency, in this project, the priority remains to protect the quality of local products, strengthen traceability and increase consumer confidence in Maltese products. This is an investment in the value of the work that our producers are already doing.” He continued by thanking food producers for their work, dedication and resilience and stressed that their effort is the foundation of the food sector. He concluded by saying that SMART FOOD should help them to demonstrate more clearly the quality and value of Maltese products.
The conference also served as a platform to present preliminary studies and technical developments of the platform, while providing space for discussion between stakeholders, including government, industry and academia representatives. Through the SMART Food project, the Government is demonstrating how European collaboration and the strategic use of funds can lead to concrete changes that strengthen the agri-food sector and build greater trust between producers and consumers. This initiative confirms the vision of a Government that is investing in modern technologies and international collaborations to ensure a safer, more transparent and sustainable future for food in our country.
