The INNO-VEG project was set up to increase the speed and uptake of innovation in the field vegetable and potato sectors by defining and implementing a new approach for delivering cost-effective research, and establishing a cross border innovation network which will create the framework conditions for innovation to facilitate uptake of the new approach. The project has evaluated the suitability of using crop sensing data to assess treatment differences in field experiments. In 2019 a programme of 51 small plot field experiments was carried out to develop an overarching ‘Protocol’ for integrating crop sensing data into field research methodologies. 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’. In 2021, the Framework was tested in 20 farmer led field scale experiments. In these experiments, the farmers took a greater role in planning and setting up the experiments. 
The ‘Protocol’ and ‘Framework’ documents provide a valuable resource for farmers and advisers who want to set up their own experiments. In addition to the field experimental work, the project 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. Field demonstration and networking events were hosted by all project partners throughout the project. 
The partnership adapted to the challenges caused by Covid and delivered a mix of in-person and online events. Six dedicated networking events were delivered between 2020 and 2022, and 14 field demonstration stakeholder workshops were delivered in 2021 and 2022. 
Throughout the project, project partners presented INNO-VEG at 44 other industry events, 19 articles published, and 14 press articles. Towards the end of the project, the project partners worked with key stakeholders to produce a ‘Five-year implementation plan’ for the adoption of the new approach for delivering research and for the continuation of the innovation network. The ‘Five-year implementation plan’ includes a commitment from 23 organisations to a programme of actions which will maximise the long-term impact and ensure durability of project outputs and results.

“The Inno-Veg partnership carried out 51 small plot trials and 35 field scale trials over three years of experiments in four countries. This makes INNO-VEG one of the largest applied research projects in the field vegetable & potato sector in these countries during this period.”