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
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)
12/10/2015 4
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
12/10/2015 5
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?
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
12/10/2015 6
Winner: Vine.net®: a DDS for sustainable management of
the vineyards (Horta srl)
INNOVATION FOR THE ORGANIC SECTORTheme 1: Innovative technologies for pest management in
organic cropping systems
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
12/10/2015 7
Winner: Vine.net®: a DDS for sustainable management of
the vineyards (Horta srl)
INNOVATION FOR THE ORGANIC SECTORTheme 1: Innovative technologies for pest management in
organic cropping systems
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
12/10/2015 9
Winner: Nitrate reduction in organic meat
products (Bionext)
INNOVATION FOR THE ORGANIC SECTORTheme 2: New organic food processing concepts and
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
12/10/2015 10
Winner: Nitrate reduction in organic meat
products (Bionext)
INNOVATION FOR THE ORGANIC SECTORTheme 2: New organic food processing concepts and
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
12/10/2015 12
Winner: Crowdfunding for a small-scale dairy
farm (Stolze Kuh)
INNOVATION FOR THE ORGANIC SECTORTheme 3: New business models of value addition at the
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)
12/10/2015 13
Winner: Crowdfunding for a small-scale dairy
farm (Stolze Kuh)
INNOVATION FOR THE ORGANIC SECTORTheme 3: New business models of value addition at the
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)
12/10/2015 14
Thank you for your attention !
www.tporganics.eu
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