PoMiFrance Launches: UPJV Leads European Push for Smarter, Greener Potato Production

On July 1, 2026, the University of Picardy Jules Verne (UPJV) officially launched PoMiFrance, an ambitious three-year European research project dedicated to reshaping the potato sector. Bringing together partners from France, Belgium, and the Netherlands at Logis du Roy in Amiens, the initiative unites international scientific expertise with the concrete needs of the agricultural industry. With a total budget of €1 million—€560,000 of which is funded by the French government through the Hauts-de-France region—the project brings together UPJV’s EDYSAN lab, technological platforms CRRBM and MatriCS, the Universities of Antwerp and Utrecht, the National Federation of Seed Potato Growers, and major industrial players such as Mousline, Agristo, Ecofrost, HZPC France, and Debarge Plants.

At its core, PoMiFrance aims to develop new models and knowledge for a more sustainable potato industry. A primary focus is analyzing the seed potato microbiome using artificial intelligence to predict seedling viability even before planting, offering farmers a powerful decision-support tool. In parallel, researchers will combine ground-sourced data with drone observations and other digital tools to better assess crop resilience to environmental challenges. A comprehensive database of potato varieties will feed machine learning models to enhance predictive analytics for farms. Beyond scientific breakthroughs, the project also includes creating educational content for professionals and fostering new commercial ventures, including a tech-based startup, ensuring that cutting-edge research translates directly into real-world agricultural practice.