EmergeNOW
About the project
EmergeNOW is a 36-month innovation action project that addresses challenges in detecting phytosanitary risks on imported citrus fruits by deploying a systemic solution that uses cutting-edge digital and molecular tools for rapid, on-site detection of Citrus Black Spot (CBS), Huanglongbing (HLB), and their insect vectors at EU import points, enabling early warning and control. The solution aims to revolutionize import control procedures at ports and airports by improving precision and efficiency for plant health inspections.
15
Partners
5
European Countries
3
Non-European Countries
(Uganda, USA, Vietnam)
2
Universities
1
Research Center
5
SMEs
5
Plant Health Centers
2
Associations
Our Technologies
Advanced on-site detection and monitoring for citrus disease protection
Know all the technologies involved into this project and how they reinforce rapid CBS and HLB detection, vector surveillance, and early warning at EU borders.
Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) kits for rapid fungal and bacterial molecular detection
AI-powered mobile application for image-based for citrus disease detection
AI-based smartphone hyperspectral imager for CBS & HLB symptoms detection
High Throughput Sequencing assays (HTS) for on-site pathogen detection
AI-based Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for thermal and hyperspectral monitoring of CBS and HLB
Decision Support System Platform (Early Warning System)
Fluorescent Array-based sensor device (FAST) for pathogen detection
Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) for CBS and HLB symptom monitoring
Citrus-Digital Collaboration Platform (C-DCP)
IoT-based e-Nose sensor for real-time vector VOC detection
AI-based robotic traps for real time D. citri, T. erytreae and C. citrisuga monitoring
Digital Research Object Portal (DROP) Platform
MAIN
GOALS
Strengthen Plant Health Inspections
Analyze inspector needs, map import control workflows, and build data resources for AI-powered surveillance
Molecular & Diagnostic Tools
Deploy and scale portable, molecular and diagnostic tools for on-site detection of CBS, HLB and their vectors
IoT & AI-based Digital Tools
Scale and deploy robotized and remote sensing tools for automated citrus disease and vector monitoring at import points
Test Systemic Innovations
Evaluate and optimize all tools in biosecure environments, orchards, and EU import facilities
Demonstrate & Validate in Real Settings
Showcase the performance, usability and impact of the innovations in 4 EU Border Control Posts
Open Science & Innovation
Promote Open Science and Innovation through a multi-actor approach, in close cooperation with the European Commission services
NEWS &
EVENTS
Dr. Ria Pechlivani, project coordinator of the international F2F project EmergeNOW, was invited to the EU meeting of the “Heads of Plant Health Services”, which took place in Ayia Napa, Cyprus, on 13 May 2026, with the participation of representatives from the 27 EU Member States, as well as the relevant European Commission authorities.
On 22-24 April 2026, EmergeNOW consortium partner IVIA (Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias) participated in the EPPO Conference on Diagnostics of Plant Pests (Recent developments and future trends), in Vienna, Austria, strengthening the project’s visibility within the plant health and diagnostic research community through a bilateral participation that included both a poster presentation and an oral presentation.
The EmergeNOW Project was successfully presented by project partner Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA) at the II Encuentro Nacional de Asesores, organized by Phytoma España in Valencia, Spain.
Digital Research Object Portal (DROP) Platform
The existing DROP platform will be enhanced to provide datasets and documents on CBS, HLB, and quarantine pests, enabling stakeholders to support surveillance, diagnostics, and policymaking.
OUR
PARTNERS
