Other clusters in the region : Midi-Pyrenees, a culture of excellence
The emergence of the AgriMip Innovation competitiveness cluster has taken place within a regional structure, in continuation of the region's policy aimed at establishing a scientific center of excellence with international visibility.
Agronomic research at the forefront
While agronomic and veterinary research has taken place in Toulouse for over 150 years, a decisive step was taken in 1970 with the creation of the INRA Midi-Pyrenees Center. Consequently, over the last 30 years, the regional Council, the General Councils of the eight Departments, and the grouped community-district authorities, in collaboration with the French government, research institutes and universities have applied a determined policy aimed at making the Midi-Pyrenees region a reference in agronomy and life sciences.Leadership in food quality
The Midi-Pyrenees region, a leader in assuring the quality of food products, ranks first in France for the number of products bearing official seals of quality certification (108 references). This leadership reflects the resolve of public players to promote the region's quality image.
Pilot region
Midi-Pyrenees has played the role of pilot region for numerous national projects aimed at quality development. This region was the first in France to establish a regional food quality Institute (IRQUALIM), in 1992. Likewise, SISQA (international food quality week), created in 2002 by the regional council, has become a key event for all players in the food sector. The AgriMip Innovation cluster has consequently found its place within a broad structure, promoting agricultural-food excellence.
Synergy linking three competitiveness clusters
In addition to AgriMip Innovation, two other reputed competitiveness clusters exist in Midi-Pyrenees, Aerospace Valley and Cancer-Bio-Health. These three entities are governed via regional coordination to establish concerted programs. In the field of precision agriculture, for example, AgriMip Innovation provides ground-based data while Aerospace Valley supplies imagery from space, thus implementing a complementary strategy.
