The CAP Network Ireland Innovation Hub is leading a targeted initiative to collect and transfer impactful knowledge with the Irish farmers, rural communities and other relevant stakeholders in the agricultural sector. At the core of this effort are three thematic pilots focused on Horticulture, Organics, and Irish EIP-AGRI projects, designed to find impactful solutions to the unique challenges within these sectors.
The Innovation Hub’s purpose is to foster innovation, encourage peer-to-peer learning, and promote knowledge exchange across the agricultural landscape. The thematic pilots are a key part of this strategy, looking to source and transfer valuable knowledge from across Europe to those who need it most in Ireland. The Horticulture pilot is guided by the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027, while the Organics pilot aligns with the National Organic Strategy 2024-2030.
To achieve this, the Hub employs a robust, step-wise Knowledge Transfer (KT) methodology that is needs-driven and focused on creating real-world impact:
Mining & Collection: The process involved mapping the specific needs and challenges of the Irish horticulture and organic sectors and relevant past EIP-AGRI projects. The team then used this information to guide a focused search for innovative solutions and knowledge to key challenges, capturing them as individual ‘Knowledge Outputs’ (KOs). This was done with structured interviews with project owners and coordinators across Ireland and Europe.
Analysis: Once collected, these KOs were analysed by experts from industry, academia, and government bodies like the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). This phase involved prioritising the KOs that have the highest potential impact for the Irish sector.
Transfer: The final step in the process moves beyond simple dissemination. For each prioritised KO, the Hub will develop a bespoke transfer plan, outlining target users, key actions that need to take place, such as workshops or factsheet development, to ensure the knowledge is actively transferred and adopted by end users.
The CAP Network Innovation Hub is currently entering the Transfer stage of the process, developing bespoke transfer plans, for each of the three Thematic pilots in Horticulture, Organics and EIP-AGRI Projects.
Through the first round of this process, the Hub has successfully identified a wealth of innovative knowledge. The team has collected 29 KOs for the horticulture sector, 22 for the organics sector, and 33 from the EIP-AGRI projects.
A Call for Knowledge
The success of these pilots relies on collaboration and the sharing of expertise. As the CAP Network Ireland Innovation Hub continues its work, with a second round of knowledge collection planned for the latter half of 2025, it extends an invitation to all stakeholders in the Irish horticulture and organic sectors, and to past Operational Group (OG) Coordinators involved in successful EIP Projects.
If you are aware of any relevant innovative knowledge, practices, or tools that could benefit Irish farmers, the Innovation Hub wants to hear from you. Your contribution could help shape the future of Irish agriculture, fostering sustainable growth and building a more resilient and profitable industry for all.
To share your knowledge or learn more, please visit the CAP Network Ireland Innovation Hub or contact Leo McGrane via our Helpdesk.