European Innovation Partnership searches for agricultural experts

EIP-AGRI Focus Groups to tackle challenges in genetic resources, organic matter content of soils and integrated pest management in Brassica

European agricultural and innovation experts are  brought together by the European Innovation Partnership 'Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability' (EIP-AGRI) in focus groups dedicated to important agricultural issues. Three new focus groups are created which will deal with genetic resources, organic matter content of Mediterranean soils, and integrated pest management in Brassica.  EIP-AGRI is now inviting experts to reply to their call for expression of interest to participate in these groups, The deadline for applications is October 6th, 2013.

Each focus group will have twenty participants. These experts may be farmers, stakeholders, scientists as well as consumers, advisers, or others. However they should all have relevant experience in practical research and innovation on the concerned topic. Furthermore, a good understanding of the practical and scientific context of the topics concerned, including possible environmental or health issues, the respective market situation and the socio-economic impact for farmers is essential. Interested experts may download the call for expression of interest and complete the form on the EIP-AGRI website: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/eip/

Every EIP-AGRI Focus Group will tackle specific challenges. Within Genetic Resources the questions are ‘What are the bottlenecks that limit co-operation between seed- and cryobanks, research institutes, and private seed companies and breeding firms?’ and ‘How can co-operation between the different types of stakeholders be promoted?’. The EIP-AGRI Focus Group organic matter content of soils wants to improve soil organic matter content in the Mediterranean region in a cost-effective way. They will seek to answer the question of ‘What new solutions for securing soil functionality and soil fertility can be proposed in this regard?’ The EIP-AGRI Focus Group will investigate cost-effective integrated pest management solutions for Brassica species, including specialty crops and rapeseed.

All three EIP-AGRI focus groups will explore practical innovative solutions to problems and opportunities in the respective field and draw on experience gained in related useful projects. During the face-to-face meetings research results and implications for further research activities will also be discussed. Sharing and exchanging knowledge among actors involved in concrete projects should generate further innovation.

If you want to be kept informed on EIP-AGRI and its Focus Groups, you can subscribe to their e-newsletter via this link.

http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/eip/

EIP-AGRI-PRESS---Call-for-experts.pdf

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Koen Desimpelaere

Team leader EIP AGRI Service Point, EIP – Agricultural and Sustainable Productivity

Martin Scheele

Official function DG AGRI , DG AGRI

About EIP – Agricultural and Sustainable Productivity

The agricultural European Innovation Partnership (EIP-AGRI) works to foster competitive and sustainable farming and forestry that 'achieves more and better from less'.  It contributes to ensuring a steady supply of food, feed and biomaterials, developing its work in harmony with the essential natural resources on which farming depends.

Innovation under the EIP-AGRI may be technological, non-technological, organisational or social, and based on new or traditional practices. The work of the EIP-AGRI goes beyond speeding up the transfer from laboratory to practice. The EIP-AGRI builds bridges between research and practice and it focuses on forming partnerships - using bottom-up approaches and linking farmers, advisors, researchers, businesses, and other actors in Operational Groups.

These groups work on practical projects that can receive funding by most notably the EU Rural Development Policy, the Union Research and Innovation Framework "Horizon 2020” or from national and private funds as well as other European Structural and Investments Funds.

In order to boost the flow of information and foster the exchange of knowledge and experience across projects, sectors and borders, adedicated EIP Network has been launched with numerous actions and initiatives such as focus groups, seminars, extensive project databases, study trips and partner search. To know more about these activities, go to the EIP-AGRI Service Point page.

Contact

EIP AGRI Service Point p/a VLM - Gulden Vlieslaan 72 Brussel 1060 Belgium

+32 2 543 73 48

[email protected]

ec.europa.eu