Portugal

Portugal’s motivation to join EMPHASIS as a founding Member is rooted in its commitment to tackling the agricultural challenges of the future with science and innovation. As a Southern European country, Portugal faces the direct impacts of climate change, from water scarcity to rising temperatures, while also preserving a rich and diverse agricultural heritage. Joining EMPHASIS means more than accessing world-class infrastructures: it allows Portugal to contribute its unique environments, expertise, and creativity to shape the future of plant phenotyping in Europe. 

The Portuguese community, organized under EMPHASIS.PT, is a network of 14 research institutes, universities, and collaborative laboratories that span the entire country, from Trás-os-Montes to the Alentejo and Madeira. This nationwide coverage mirrors Portuguese agriculture, from vineyards and olive groves, banana plantations, temperate and subtropical to orchards, pastures, vegetables and cereals, and unites expertise across plant sciences, agronomy, genebanks, experimental stations, engineering, imaging, and data management. Over the last decade, the community has invested in cutting-edge phenotyping tools, including drones, satellite monitoring, automated imaging platforms, and advanced physiological sensors, and high-throughput phenotyping, including metabolomic and genome-scale methodologies. With a proven record of success in European initiatives such as EPPN2020 and AgroServ, Portuguese team members are known for their excellence, competitiveness, and collaborative spirit.  

And here’s the fun fact: in Portugal, access to stress is easy. Within just a few hours’ travel, researchers can expose plants to drought, heat, salinity, or poor soils, real different climate and environmental stresses conditions that mirror the challenges of global agriculture. This natural diversity makes Portugal a Living Lab and outdoor laboratory for resilience, where crops can be tested in contrasting conditions without crossing borders. What elsewhere might be considered a problem, Portugal has transformed into a scientific advantage, turning stress into opportunity. 

By joining EMPHASIS, Portugal reinforces its role as a key European partner, combining scientific excellence, agricultural diversity, and unique environments. EMPHASIS.PT is ready to drive innovation for sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and food security. Its distinctive perspective is clear: when harnessed by science, stress can grow into solutions.