BOOSTER project consortium gathers for second annual meeting

The Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology (CPSBB) recently hosted the Second Annual Meeting for the BOOSTER Project, bringing together consortium members from ten countries, including Bulgaria, France, Italy, South Africa, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and Ethiopia.

During the three-day meeting, consortium members presented their research from the first year of the project, including preliminary results and future plans. The project has gained significant attention in Bulgaria, having been presented to various stakeholders, including government ministries, academic institutions, farmers, and the business sector.

After the intensive meetings, the consortium members were treated to a guided tour of the Old Town of Plovdiv, providing them with a glimpse into the cultural richness of the city. Following the tour, they enjoyed a dinner hosted by the local organisers, which provided an opportunity for informal networking and strengthening of professional relationships among the project partners.

Note: The BOOSTER project, a four-year scientific initiative, is dedicated to enhancing drought tolerance in key cereals such as maize and teff to address the challenges posed by climate change. The project leverages natural genetic variations and biostimulants derived from seaweed extracts and soil microorganisms to develop new drought-tolerant crop varieties. This collaborative effort, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme, aims to make substantial advancements in agricultural biotechnology, contributing to global food security in the face of climate change.