Knowledge Outputs From The Innovation Hub Pilots

CAP Network Ireland’s Innovation Hub is an initiative which identifies and analyses innovative knowledge and research which may offer potential solutions for challenges facing the agricultural sector.

As part of the work of the Innovation Hub, the team are currently running three thematic pilots and have been interviewing people and projects from Ireland and abroad to highlight the aspects of their research or policies or initiatives that might be of interest.

The team has collected 29 Knowledge Outputs (KOs) for the horticulture sector, 20 for the organics sector, and 33 from the EIP-AGRI projects. You can explore these below:

Horticulture Knowledge Outputs

29 Horticulture KOs that were collected from various projects across Ireland and Europe. These have been categorised based on the Key Strategic Area (KSA) they fit into under the National Horticulture Strategy. After each KO below, the project they were collected from will be in bold.

KSA 1: Strengthen the position of the grower in the marketplace

• 1.1 Region-specific, individualised approach for supporting farmers to identify suitable business models and sales channels through a novel Decision Support Tool (agroBridges).
• 1.2 A Digital Technology Platform to engage actors in SFSC opportunities and strengthen direct sales of produce (agroBridges).
• 1.3 Economic, social and environmental opportunities identified for the potential of local EU seaweeds for application in the biostimulant market (Bio4Safe).
• 1.4 Holistic approach for increased engagement of all actors in strengthening Short Food Supply Chains (agroBridges).
• 1.5 Online marketplace connects agricultural actors to enable buying and selling of agricultural waste and raw materials to biorefineries for production of value-added, biobased products (AGRIMAX).
• 1.6 Preliminary framework and set of indicators for assessing and promoting sustainability, innovativeness, and competitiveness of agri-food value chains (CO-FRESH).
• 1.7 Business Model Toolkit for strategic analysis of market opportunities to facilitate sustainable and competitive growth of fruit and vegetable businesses (agroBridges).

KSA 5: Research and Development for the Industry

• 5.1. Linking governance, agricultural practices, and ecosystem services through an analytical framework in agricultural regions (CP3).

KSA 6: Better data and information for better insights

• 6.1 Survey to evaluate farmers’ needs, interests, and perceptions for the adoption of Smart Farming Technologies in cropping systems (AGFORWARD).
• 6.2 An evidence-based database for growers to select suitable biostimulants to support stronger, resource efficient crops (Bio4Safe).

KSA 7: Integrate Horticulture back into Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation System AKIS

• 7.1 Social entrepreneurship and innovative financing for enhanced public involvement in community approaches to support ecosystem services (CP3).
• 7.2 The role of engaging farmer-to-farmer networks in on-farm Smart Farming Technologies (SFT) demonstrations for effective knowledge exchange, testing and SFT adoption (Smart-AKIS).
• 7.3 Enhancing Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) for Smart Farming Technologies through a novel Smart Farming Platform (Smart-AKIS).
• 7.4 Social Network Analysis (SNA) to enhance opportunities for holistic collaboration and conflict management between agricultural actors (CP3).
• 7.5 Collaborative governance models to enhance inclusive, community-based approaches to regional landscape development and ecosystem service provision (CP3).

KSA 8: Support innovation and diversification

• 8.1 A farmer-led biological transition programme with guidelines for replication of biological farming systems in the Horticulture Sector (DANÚ).
• 8.2 Community-based finance mechanisms to enhance innovative regional funds for ecosystem service provision (CP3).
• 8.3 Economic benefits and increased margins for horticultural farmers through adoption of biological farming practices (DANÚ).
• 8.4 Using agricultural waste from by-products of cereal processing to create biodegradable, mycelium-based packaging (AGRIMAX).
• 8.5 Sustainable bioplastic additives for use as PET alternatives through extraction of ferulic acid using agricultural waste from wheat processing (AGRIMAX).
• 8.6 Valorisation of agricultural waste from the potato and oat sectors through extraction of Micro fibrillated Cellulose Fibres (MCF) for use in the production of rigid and flexible food packaging (AGRIMAX).
• 8.7 Stakeholder-focussed toolkit outlining the appropriate tree-crop interactions and opportunities for integration of agroforestry practices across various farming systems (AGFORWARD).
• 8.8 Cultivation handbook and preparation guide for enhanced producer and consumer education on legumes for human consumption (CO-FRESH).
• 8.9 Policy brief and policy recommendations for sustainable innovation in agri-food chains (CO-FRESH).
• 8.10 Market opportunities for sustainable and competitive fava bean value chains as leguminous protein for human consumption (CO-FRESH).
• 8.11 Implementing circularity in organic oyster mushroom production for enhanced environmental, economic, and social performance (CO-FRESH).
• 8.12 An environmental and socio-economic framework for an enhanced, holistic approach for identifying opportunities, challenges, and appropriate policy interventions for implementing agroforestry in Europe (AGFORWARD).
• 8.13 Development of an ecosystem service model to evaluate impact of green infrastructure levels on ecosystem services for arable crops (ECODEAL).
• 8.14 Development of a Bio-Economic model for analysing the economic value of ecosystem services and potential trade-offs between enhanced green infrastructure and smaller agricultural field sizes (ECODEAL).

 

Organics Pilot Knowledge Outputs

20 Organic KOs were collected from various projects across Ireland and Europe. These have been categorised based on the scale at which they operate – Local, Industry or Policy level. Some operate at more than one level but have been categorised to provide structure to the analysis. After each KO below, the project they were collected from will be in bold.

1: Local Level

• 1.1. Resources to guide a decentralised and participatory approach to plant breeding and agrobiodiversity management (DIVERSIFOOD).
• 1.2. Supporting the development of Community Seed Banks to improve crop biodiversity (DIVERSIFOOD).
• 1.3. Fibrous plant cultivation on marginal land using regenerative farming practices to contribute to improved soil health and farmer income (HEMP4SOIL).
• 1.4. Framework for Holistic Management Decision Making (Hub del Norte – Savory Network Hub).
• 1.5. Five-layered approach for reducing the use of antibiotics and other chemical veterinary drugs in Dairy Farming (Natural Livestock Farming).
• 1.6. Farmer guide booklets on the use of natural remedies for livestock health (Natural Livestock Farming).
• 1.7. Agroecological Living Labs to redesign organic production systems for agro-biodiversity and resilience (ALL-Organic).
• 1.8. Innovation Group approach to facilitate sourcing of regional and organic feed (OK NET: Ecofeed).

2: Industry/Sector Level

• 2.1. Public database for the evaluation of underutilised crops (DIVERSIFOOD).
• 2.2. Valorisation strategies for biodiverse food products (DIVERSIFOOD).
• 2.3. Programme for monitoring and verifying ecological outcomes of farm management practices (Hub del Norte – Savory Network Hub).
• 2.4. Device for monitoring ecological outcomes of farm management practices (3LM – Savory Network Ireland & UK Hub).
• 2.5. Tailor-made study-visits for knowledge exchange between farmers on practices for sustainable dairy farming and enhanced milk quality (Natural Livestock Farming).
• 2.6. Digital knowledge platform to support farmers, advisors, and other stakeholders in organic farming (OK NET: Ecofeed).
• 2.7. Solutions to support feeding monogastrics 100% organic and regionally produced feed (OK NET: Ecofeed).
• 2.8. Identified research gaps and barriers in organic feed production for monogastrics (OK NET: Ecofeed).

3: Policy Level

• 3.1 Normative scenario analysis methodology for investigating transformation pathways towards national organic farming targets (Organic Targets 4 EU).
• 3.2 Methodology for multistakeholder assessment of the knowledge and innovation systems for organic agriculture, aquaculture and value chain actors (Organic Targets 4 EU).
• 3.3 Analytic insights on the knowledge and innovation systems for organic agriculture, aquaculture and value chain actors, in eight European countries (Organic Targets 4 EU).
• 3.4 Policy and practical recommendations to enable agrobiodiversity (DIVERSIFOOD).

EIP-AGRI KT Pilot Knowledge Outputs

33 EIP-AGRI KOs were collected from Irish EIP projects. They have been categorised based on the EIP Call Stream. After each KO below, the project they were collected from will be in bold.

Call 4 Stream A – General Health & Safety

1. A peer-to-peer mentoring framework to engage farmers in farm safety, health, and wellbeing (Farmers4Safety).
2. Combatting social isolation, enhancing wellbeing and reducing safety hazards among farming communities through a collaborative Buddy-System (Farmers4Safety).
3. Development of policy recommendations for implementing and enhancing farm safety, health and wellbeing (Farmers4Safety).
4. A theatre-based training programme that promotes cultural shifts and attitude changes among farmers towards farm safety, health and wellbeing (SAFE FARM).
5. Mental Healthline Support Service tailored to farmers to combat mental stress and isolation among the farming community (SAFE FARM).
6. Framework for a Results Based Payment Scheme to improve Farmer Safety, Health and Wellbeing (FORUM Connemara Farm Health & Safety).
7. Functionality and farmer-acceptance of different designs of Roll-Over Protective Structures (ROPS) for Quad Bikes (FORUM Connemara Farm Health & Safety).
8. Online Mental Health Toolbox as a resource to help farmers and farming communities to engage with mental health topics and supports (FORUM Connemara Farm Health & Safety).
9. Revised risk-assessment templates for accessible farmer monitoring of farm safety (FORUM Connemara Farm Health & Safety).
10. Framework for a coordinated point of contact for individuals/families to access support services after trauma on farms (Embrace – An Meitheal Feirme).

Call 5 Stream B – Farm & Community

1. A farmer-led moth monitoring scheme to engage farmers in citizen science for pollinators (Farmer Moth Monitoring).
2. Results-Based Payment Scheme for farmers to protect floral resources for pollinators (Great Yellow Bumblebee).
3. Revision of monitoring scorecards to support region-specific pollinator species on farmland (Great Yellow Bumblebee).
4. Methodology for engaging landowners in implementation and continued management of pre-defined biodiversity actions (The Hare’s Corner).
5. Model for producing tailored ecological recommendations to individual sites to enhance biodiversity and meet landowner needs (The Hare’s Corner).
6. Educational blueprint for farmers on sustainable upland management of natural and cultural heritage, integrated with communities (Comeragh Upland Communities).
7. Field-based blueprint to enhance farmer and community education on management of commonage and upland habitats (Comeragh Upland Communities).
8. Holistic framework to support farmers in sustainable forestry and native woodland schemes (Illaun Farm-Forest).
9. Programme to support crop cultivation on small farms by sourcing and making available size-appropriate farm machinery (Curaiocht an Phobail).
10. Cascading system for key farmers to recruit other farmers to participate in on-farm trials to demonstrate best practice land management that supports nature and improves habitat quality (Curaiocht an Phobail).
11. Enhancing farmer-to-farmer learning through high engagement and collaboration with other farmer-led EIP-Agri projects (Curaiocht an Phobail).
12. Training to enhance farmer understanding of EU agricultural policy and prepare for future payment schemes (Curaiocht an Phobail).
13. A youth summer programme to enhance knowledge and skills of sustainable and ecological cultivation in land management (Curaiocht an Phobail).
14. Methodology for Catchment-based, Applied and Integrated Education for Farmers on Soil Management (Soil Biodiversity Literacy and Enhancement).
15. Accessible and Low-cost Soil Health Testing Toolkit for Farmers (Soil Biodiversity Literacy and Enhancement).
16. Replicable assessment method to quantify and qualify space for nature on Irish farmland (Farming with Nature).
17. Template for rewarding farmers for ecosystem services and nature restoration through a robust food brand standard (Farming with Nature).
18. Eco-Social Farming model involving actors with additional needs to enhance collaboration for biodiversity conservation on farm landscapes (Kerry Eco-Social Farming).
19. Camera-Loan scheme to enable farmers to visually document and record wildlife on farmland (Kerry Eco-Social Farming).
20. A chemical-free gardening campaign to promote pollinator-friendly land management (Ballymoney Stream Catchment Biodiversity Pilot).
21. Local Meitheal events that enhance collaboration between farming and non-farming communities (Ballymoney Stream Catchment Biodiversity Pilot).
22. Donor scheme of locally grown wetland vegetation to restore wetland habitats in the area (Ballymoney Stream Catchment Biodiversity Pilot).
23. Showcasing local wildlife to increase public awareness of the positive impact of biodiversity actions (Ballymoney Stream Catchment Biodiversity Pilot).