Organic Innovation Days · Collaborates with organic pioneers and experts in the Med region Mediterranean OA faces many ... manager who can take better informed decisions. 12/10/2015

Organic Innovation Days

SESSION I:

INNOVATION FOR THE ORGANIC SECTOR

Rapporteur:

Patrizia Pugliese, CIHEAM IAMB - MOAN

12/10/2015 1

12/10/2015 2

MOAN at Organic Innovation Days

MOAN:

Mediterranean

Organic Agriculture

Network

http://moan.iamb.it

MOAN is a network gathering MoA

delegates from 23 countries (Euro-

Med area and South-east Europe)

Collaborates with organic pioneers

and experts in the Med region

Mediterranean OA faces many

specific and diverse challenges

and would benefit from innovative

ideas and the proposed multi-

dimensional, multi-actor approach to

innovation

http://moan.iamb.it/

12/10/2015 3

INNOVATION FOR THE ORGANIC SECTORThemes & Winners

Theme Winner

1: Innovative technologies for pest management in organic cropping systems

Vine.net®: a DDS for sustainable management of the vineyards (Horta srl)

2: New organic food processing concepts and technologies

Nitrate reduction in organic meat products (Bionext)

3: New business models of value addition at the local level

Crowdfunding for a small-scale dairy farm (Stolze Kuh)

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INNOVATION FOR THE ORGANIC SECTORTheme 1: Innovative technologies for pest management in

organic cropping systems

Winner: Vine.net®: a DDS for sustainable management of

the vineyards (Horta srl)

What is it about?

A new DSS consisting of a web-based tool which analyses

real-time monitoring data (from weather stations and

farmer’s field observations) using advanced modelling

techniques to provide up-to-date information and easy and

clear, reliable and prompt decision support to the vineyard

manager who can take better informed decisions

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What is it about?

Farmer’s investment to enter the system: buy/rent a

weather station + annual fee

Farmer gets: access to a handy system, training, support in

case of problems

Developed with the support of research projects,

commercially available since 2013 in IT, from 2016

commercial agreements to be signed in Spain, Portugal,

France

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External evaluator’s inputs (Birdlife)

Real, critically needed knowledge transfer

Protection cost reduction (company’s calculation)

Can foster better management of IPM

Holistic approach, broadening scope

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Main discussion points

Specific benefits for organic producers: critical info for

preventive approach to pest control, bio-control agents

model included

Economic benefits vs membership costs

Data ownership (data owned by company and private

producers), open data issue

Collaboration with public advisory services and private

advisors

2014-2020 RDP support for farmers to enter the system

12/10/2015 8

INNOVATION FOR THE ORGANIC SECTORTheme 2: New organic food processing concepts and

technologies

Winner: Nitrate reduction in organic meat

products (Bionext)

What is it about?

Research on a hot topic

Background elements:

- E252 and E250 used for antimicrobial properties, colour, taste and

tradition (different country practices). Negative health effects.

Reduction desirable. IFOAM not in favour of their usage

- evolution in regulatory requirements

- growing demand for organic meat products from large retailers (long

shelf life)

Innovative research attitude (as low as possible)

Theoretical research + Practical testing with companies in real

life situation; different cold meat products considered

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products (Bionext)


technologies

External evaluator’s inputs (EUROCOOP)

Hot topic given current positive organic market trends

Research on organic processed products is still scarce

Beyond organic focus; can provide promising solutions for

conventional producers as well

l

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products (Bionext)


technologies

Main discussion points

Real life usage of research results

Consumer awareness and educational campaigns to foster

acceptance of changes in product colour and taste

Alternatives? Synthetic vs natural additives (transparent

labelling issue)

12/10/2015 11

INNOVATION FOR THE ORGANIC SECTORTheme 3: New business models of value addition at the

local level

Winner: Crowdfunding for a small-scale dairy

farm (Stolze Kuh)

What is it about?

The “cow-share” program: an alternative, grassroot funding

scheme used by a couple of young farmers to finance the

purchase and initial raising of 30 dual-purpose cows and

their offspring (75 shares, 500 EUR/share, shareholders

rewarded with farm produce or money at 2.5 interest rate).

80 km from Berlin in a natural conservation area.

And much more … biodynamic certification, cheese-

making plans, starting a farmers market in the village

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farm (Stolze Kuh)


local level

External evaluator’s inputs (Via Campesina)

Interesting funding scheme to overcome financial

limitations of small-scale farming and organic businesses

Legal/administrative framework issue in some countries

It shows that shifting away from the “productivist paradigm”

is possible and citizens are ready to support it (which calls

for more concrete action from EU)

Support young farmers’ entrance in agricultural sector

Citizen-farmer relationship (urban people’s support to local

farming, short supply chains, profitable relation for citizens)

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farm (Stolze Kuh)


local level

Main discussion questions & issues

Other ideas for support to young farmers (bank for organic

soil, BE; Terres de liens, FR)

Other ideas from DG Agri Focus Group (to be published

shortly) expected to give inputs to RD policies (still

inadequate instruments) and research. Different contexts,

different models but “adding value” is a must

Relation with citizens who funded the initiative (on farm

visits, info mail)

Relation with neighbouring farmers and the local

community (revitalization)

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Thank you for your attention !

[email protected]

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Documents

Organic Innovation Days · Collaborates with organic pioneers and experts in the Med region Mediterranean OA faces many ... manager who can take better informed decisions. 12/10/2015