Increasing the speed and uptake of innovation in the field vegetable and potato sectors : defining a new approach for delivering cost effective research. | 2 Mers Seas Zeeën

INNO-VEG

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Increasing the speed and uptake of innovation in the field vegetable and potato sectors : defining a new approach for delivering cost effective research.

Priority Axis

Technological and Social Innovation

Specific objective

Framework Conditions for Innovation

Lead partner

RSK ADAS Ltd.

Contact

Start Date

12/07/2018

End Date

31/03/2023

Project budget

2 562 382

ERDF amount

1 537 429

ERDF rate

60%

    About

    Common challenge

    Field vegetable and potato production are important agricultural sectors in the 2 Seas region. This project addresses the challenge of sustainable intensification of field vegetable and potato production (i.e. increasing crop production and profitability whilst minimizing environmental impact). R&D is key to the promotion of sustainable intensification, however, funding in these sectors has not been sufficient to address the broad range of research priorities which has limited the speed and uptake of innovation. The 2 Seas area is experiencing an ‘implementation gap’, where the wide range of
    potential benefits of new technologies is not being realized by farmers. This project addresses these challenges by (i) defining a new approach for delivering cost effective research which enables farmers to test new products/approaches on their own farms and (ii) establishing an Innovation network which will create the framework conditions for innovation to facilitate uptake of the new approach.

    Main Achievements

    The INNO-VEG project aims to increase the speed and uptake of innovation in the field vegetable and potato sectors by i) defining and implementing a new approach for delivering cost-effective research, ii) establishing a cross border innovation network which will create the framework conditions for innovation to facilitate uptake of the new approach.

    The project will evaluate the suitability of using crop sensing data to assess treatment differences in field experiments. In 2019 a programme of 46 small plot field experiments was carried out to develop an overarching ‘Protocol’ for integrating crop sensing data into field research methodologies. The Protocol will be available to download from the ‘Resources’ section of the project website by the end of Feb 2021 (https://inno-veg.org/en/Resource).

    In 2020, field validation experiments were set up to test the ‘Protocol’ in larger field-scale experiments and to develop this into a ‘Framework for farmer-led research’. Fourteen field scale experiments, covering a range of topics, were carried out in the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. These experiments covered a number of horticultural crops (including potatoes, carrots, onions, leeks, spinach and vining peas) and research priority areas (e.g. soil management, crop nutrition and protection).

    In addition to the field experimental work, the project has also set up a cross border innovation network to facilitate innovation between the precision farming/sensor technology industry, research organisations and the field vegetable and potato crop sectors. The INNO-VEG innovation network was launched in October 2019 at a meeting on smart farming at the Rusthoeve Research Centre in Colijnsplaat, Netherlands. Online networking events were hosted by ADAS and Delphy in 2020; the events attracted an international audience. A recording of the events is available in the videos section of the project website.

    The innovation network is supported by a web-based registration system and innovation ‘hub’ (www.inno-veg.org). Individuals can register with the network via the website. Members can then add their profile to the members directory and add information on relevant services or projects. The innovation hub provides a forum for members to engage with each other, post updates and ask questions. The forums include translation between English, French and Dutch to help discussion between members from different countries.

    Partnership

    Partners

    Inagro vzw

    Delphy BV

    ARVALIS-Institut du vegetal

    Outputs

    Type
    Target
    URL / Download
    31/03/2020

    INNO-VEG

    Theme: Support to innovationAgriculture and horticulture
    Type: Method/service
    Target: Local, regional and national authorities
    31/03/2021

    INNO-VEG

    Theme: Support to innovationAgriculture and horticulture
    Type: Method/service
    Target: Local, regional and national authorities