# Institute for Research and Technology in Food and Agriculture

> research institute in Catalonia, Spain

**Wikidata**: [Q9006472](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9006472)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/institute-for-research-and-technology-in-food-and-agriculture

## Summary
The Institute for Research and Technology in Food and Agriculture (IRTA) is a Catalan research institute focused on food and agricultural sciences, founded in 1985 and headquartered in Caldes de Montbui, Spain. It operates under the Generalitat of Catalonia and is part of the CERCA Institute network, conducting research in areas such as agribusiness, biotechnology, animal husbandry, and genetics.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1985 by Josep Tarragó i Colominas
- Headquarters located at Torre Marimon in Caldes de Montbui, Spain (coordinates: 41.61286111111111, 2.1697972222222224)
- Parent organization is the Generalitat of Catalonia
- Member of both the CERCA Institute and the Catalan Association of Research Centres
- Fields of work include agribusiness, biotechnology, animal husbandry, and genetics
- Current director/manager is Josep Usall
- Received the Narcís Monturiol Prize in 1995
- Website: https://www.irta.cat/ca (primarily in Catalan)
- Contact: Phone +34-934-67-40-40, Fax +34-934-67-40-42
- EU VAT number: ESQ5855049B

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary focus of IRTA?
A: IRTA is a research institute focused on food and agricultural sciences, conducting research in areas such as agribusiness, biotechnology, animal husbandry, and genetics.

### Q: When was IRTA established and by whom?
A: IRTA was established in 1985 by Josep Tarragó i Colominas as part of the Generalitat of Catalonia's research network.

### Q: Where is IRTA located?
A: IRTA is headquartered at Torre Marimon in Caldes de Montbui, Spain, with coordinates 41.61286111111111 latitude and 2.1697972222222224 longitude.

### Q: What organizations does IRTA belong to?
A: IRTA is part of the CERCA Institute network and the Catalan Association of Research Centres, operating under the Generalitat of Catalonia.

### Q: Has IRTA received any notable recognition?
A: Yes, IRTA received the Narcís Monturiol Prize in 1995 for its contributions to research and technology in the agricultural sector.

## Why It Matters
IRTA plays a crucial role in advancing food and agricultural research in Catalonia and Spain, contributing to the region's economic development and innovation in the agribusiness sector. As a member of the CERCA Institute network, it collaborates with other research institutions to address challenges in food security, sustainable agriculture, and biotechnology. Its research in areas such as genetics and animal husbandry helps improve agricultural productivity while considering environmental sustainability. By receiving prestigious recognition like the Narcís Monturiol Prize, IRTA demonstrates its impact on both the scientific community and the agricultural industry, making it an essential institution for Catalonia's research and technology ecosystem.

## Notable For
- Being the only research institute in Catalonia specifically dedicated to food and agricultural technologies
- Receiving the Narcís Monturiol Prize in 1995, a prestigious award recognizing scientific excellence in Catalonia
- Operating as part of the CERCA Institute network, a consortium of excellence in Catalan research
- Maintaining a specialized focus on multidisciplinary research spanning agribusiness, biotechnology, animal husbandry, and genetics
- Its headquarters at Torre Marimon, a historic building repurposed for modern agricultural research activities

## Body
### Foundation and Organization
The Institute for Research and Technology in Food and Agriculture (IRTA) was established in 1985 by Josep Tarragó i Colominas as part of the Generalitat of Catalonia's research infrastructure. IRTA operates under the parent organization of the Generalitat of Catalonia while being affiliated with both the CERCA Institute and the Catalan Association of Research Centres. The institute is officially registered with various international identifiers including ISNI (0000000119436646), ROR ID (012zh9h13), and GRID ID (grid.8581.4).

### Location and Facilities
IRTA is headquartered at Torre Marimon in Caldes de Montbui, Spain, with coordinates 41.61286111111111 latitude and 2.1697972222222224 longitude. The postal code for the headquarters is 08140. The facility features modern research laboratories and offices within a historical building that has been repurposed for agricultural research activities. The institute also maintains IPv6 routing prefix 2001:40b0:7c15::/48 for its network infrastructure.

### Research Focus
IRTA's research encompasses several key areas including agribusiness, biotechnology, animal husbandry, and genetics. The institute conducts interdisciplinary research aimed at advancing agricultural technologies and food production systems. Its research activities contribute to scientific knowledge while addressing practical challenges in the agricultural sector. IRTA maintains several social media accounts, notably on Twitter (@irtacat) and Facebook (irtacat), with a following that has grown from 9,450 in 2020 to 12,843 by 2023.

### Governance and Contact Information
The current director/manager of IRTA is Josep Usall. The institute can be contacted by phone at +34-934-67-40-40 or by fax at +34-934-67-40-42. The official website is https://www.irta.cat/ca, primarily in Catalan. IRTA is registered in the EU Transparency Register with identification number 170100021998-13 and holds EU VAT number ESQ5855049B.

### Recognition and Partnerships
IRTA received the Narcís Monturiol Prize in 1995 in recognition of its contributions to research and technology in Catalonia. The institute maintains partnerships through various EU programs, with EU participant identification code 999506819. It is also affiliated with academic and research institutions through library authority IDs including University of Barcelona (981058510832706706) and National Library of Spain (XX99876).

## References

1. GRID Release 2017-05-22
2. [Source](https://www.lobbyfacts.eu/datacard/institut-de-recerca-i-tecnologia-agroalimentaria?rid=170100021998-13)
3. [Source](https://cerca.cat/c/irta/)
4. [Source](http://universitatsirecerca.gencat.cat/ca/01_secretaria_duniversitats_i_recerca/premis_i_reconeixements/guardons_narcis_monturiol/plaques_narcis_monturiol/)
5. [Source](https://apps.db.ripe.net/search/lookup.html?source=ripe&key=2001:40b0:7c15::/48&type=inet6num)
6. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File