Researcher at CREDA (Center for Agro-Food Economics and Development) - Castelldefels, Catalunya, Spain
CREDA (the Center for Agro-Food Research and Development) is a private research foundation supported by two institutions: Catalonia Polytechnic University (UPC) and the Institute for Food and Agricultural Research and Technology (IRTA). CREDA-UPC-IRTA was born out of the necessity for formalizing a public Catalan research and development body in the agro-food sector, unifying and strengthening R&D capabilities and making these capabilities available to government as well as public and private sectors.CREDA is a dynamic and reliable center comprised of a diverse and talented team of researchers, consultants, and technicians with backgrounds spanning economics, agricultural and forestry engineering, sociology, and environmental science. It is quickly becoming a reference center for ago-food economy and rural development both in Catalonia and internationally.Central themes of the research being conducted at CREDA include:• Assessment of consumer preferences and consumer behavior towards agricultural products• Development and improvement of agriculture and livestock competitiveness• Sustainability of food systems from a systemic perspective• Sustainable and innovative use of natural resources• Livelihood strategies and preferences of rural producers in the face of global change• Enhanced understanding of the numerous and complex interactions between society and the local territoryCREDA operates at the crossroads of the public and private sectors, perfectly situated to act as a reliable agent in the transfer of relevant and accurate scientific information which will assist actors at all nodes of food value chains in making informed decisions.