Presenting the NIR spectroscopy tool for Faba Asturiana traceability - Pilot workshops series
On 2 April 2025, demonstrator leader ASINCAR and the Regulatory Council for IGP Faba Asturiana (IGPFA) jointly organised the first demonstrator workshop to present the preliminary results of the digital tool based on Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy that ensures the quality and traceability of Asturian faba beans. The workshop - the first of a series of events aimed at presenting the pilot developments to the relevant communities of stakeholders - took place in Villaviciosa, as part of the program of events for the “31st Days of the Faba Beans (Xornaes de les fabes)” organized by the Villaviciosa City Council. The purpose of this workshop was to gather the opinions of members of the Asturian faba bean value chain (producers, packers, etc.) and control agents regarding the future implementation of digital technologies (sensors, blockchain, etc.).
Under the ALLIANCE project, the "IGP Faba de Asturias" demonstrator aims to ensure that the PGI Faba Asturiana maintains its purity and quality. Specifically, ASINCAR is collaborating with the PGI Faba Asturiana and the Regional Ministry of Rural Environment and Agrarian Policy on a use case focused on the value chain of faba beans certified by the PGI as "Faba de Asturias." To this end, ASINCAR, in collaboration with the PGI Faba Asturiana, has developed a portable, low-cost, and easy-to-use optical sensor based on NIR spectroscopy. which is capable of detecting the presence of foreign faba beans (specifically from Bolivia) on real-time and directly on production, packaging or retail sites. This development aims to offer end users (the PGI Faba Asturiana itself and the Regional Ministry of Rural Environment and Agrarian Policy), a support tool to facilitate their inspection and analysis work throughout the Asturian faba beans value chain.
The application of these new technologies will improve traceability and transparency in the supply chain, ensuring the quality of the faba beans certified by the PGI. Additionally, within the ALLIANCE project, ASINCAR will participate in the validation of other available tools such as the Blockchain platform, an early warning system, and various interoperability mechanisms for the Internet of Things.
To find out more on the ALLIANCE solution developed for ensuring authenticity of PGI Faba Beans, watch this video
Update
ASINCAR held a second workshop on the 21st of October 2025 at the PGI offices (C.I.E. La Cardosa, Grado), to present the second round of validation of the digital tools developed by ASINCAR to actors involved in the value chain (producers, packers, etc.) as well as control bodies (PGI, regional government). The project's main achievements were presented, emphasising the impressions and expectations of key players in the Asturian faba bean value chain, such as producers, packers, and regulatory agencies, regarding the implementation of these digital technologies. Armando Menéndez, Project Manager at ASINCAR, indicated that one of the most notable advances "is the development of low-cost portable optical sensors based on Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging, capable of detecting the presence of foreign fava beans (from Bolivia) in real time directly on farms. This technology provides regulatory agencies—such as the PGI Faba Asturiana and the Regional Ministry—with effective tools for on-site inspection and analysis, strengthening the certification system." With the launch of this workshop, the ALLIANCE project highlights the key role that technological innovation plays in protecting differentiated quality agri-food products and in boosting the Asturian primary sector.
