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LOVEt II

LOVEt II - Elaboration of the best practice models of the knowledge transfer from science to practice in the organic farming sector

Partnership is based on the findings from the previous project LdV acronym LOVEt. It was found that organic sector was developing sustainably, but there was a big gap in the communication and knowledge transfer between science and practice in the organic sector. It is thus necessary to elaborate best models for communication and to improve the access to professional advising for European farmers, processing companies and traders, and advance the level of the advisory services.  

General aims of the project:
• Knowledge transfer between universities, NGO-s, private sector in EU in organic sector.
• Developing and enhancing knowledge transfer and communication between science and practice.
• Enhancing the development of organic sector locally and in EU.

Main activities of the project:
• Analysis and selection of the best practice models of the knowledge transfer between science and practice.
• Elaboration of the best recommended strategies for organic sector and Local Action Groups.

Activities and mobilities: 
Cooperation and exchange of experience between partners was intensive and fruitful. The best practice models of the knowledge transfer from science to practice in organic sector were elaborated from questionnaires for researchers and stakeholders and from the round table meetings organised by each Partner from new EU member states (Estonia, Bulgaria, Poland, Slovenia, Hungary). Other partners (Germany, Finland, Spain, Italy) selected best practice models using their long experiences. Each partner presented their results during common international meetings organised in HU, SI, IT, DE, FI. For common concepts group works were carried out during international meetings and afterwards in each country. The best recommended strategies for Local Action Groups interested in organic sector were elaborated as a strategy to be implemented by Local Action Groups commonly by all partners.

Two roundtables were organised in Estonia: 
1) „Knowledge transfer and communication between science and practice in organic farming sector“
It was concluded that research is still very limited in Estonia and in some areas there are no professional scientists (organic processing and marketing), but all local research results are disseminated actively on field-days, seminars, popular papers, for example “Organic Newspaper” (Mahepõllumajanduse Leht), internet site www.maheklubi.ee, conferences etc. Scientists should educate more consumers and parents in kindergartens about food quality, pesticide usage, environmental problems derived from activities of big productions. Scientists should also work more intensively with lead-journalists and disseminate information in media actively. It is important for scientists to have information/feedback from practitioners about problems needed to be solved. Funding for problem-solving projects should be created. In opinion of practitioners, one of the main limitations of organic farming sector development is poor development of organic farming technologies in Estonia. 
2) “Knowledge transfer and communication in organic animal husbandry”.
During 2nd round table main problems in organic animal husbandry were discussed: availability of protein and mineral fodders, feeding of young animals, product development, lack of scientific research and fundings etc.

During round tables common good practices of scientific knowledge transfer to organic sector were discussed:
• Trainings and seminars (incl. field trial visits)
• Information materials: organic farming magazine, brochures, compendiums of articles 
• Thematic conferences
• Internet (e.g. www.maheklubi.ee, also foreign sites)
• Directly from scientists
• Advisors
• Organic farming organisations

During round tables gaps in knowledge transfer were identified:
• Not enough knowledge (applied research) to transfer
• No specific training programs for farmers, only separate seminars/trainings on different topics
• No curricula of organic farming in vocational and higher education 
• Not enough foreign scientific study results translated and presented in Estonian
• No advisors in some areas (poultry, pigs, rabbits, small-scale processing)

Questionnaires for scientists and stakeholders were also conducted. The results were analysed commonly with other partners.

The main common outcome of this project is a common report containing conclusions based on the results of questionnaires and roundtables, best practice models and best recommended strategies for the local action groups.

Results

For more results please visit LOVEt II webpage.

Partners

Silent partners

  • BIO AZORICA (Portugal)
  • ANAGRIBIOS – Coldiretti (Itaalia)
  • Associazione Italiana per l’Agricoltura Biologica – Campania (Itaalia)
  • Comité de Agricultura Ecológica de la Comunidad de Madrid (CAEM) (Hispaania)
  • The Association of ProAgria Centres (Soome)
  • Biologica (Holland)
  • Estonian Organic Farming Foundation (Eesti Mahepõllumajanduse Sihtasutus)
  • The Mieczyslaw Gorny Association Forum of Organic Agriculture (Poola)
  • Corvinus University of Budapest (Ungari)

Project homepage: www.lovet2.eu

Contact in Estonia
Darja Matt, e-mail: darja.matt@emu.ee

Project coordinator:
Prof. Ewa Rembiałkowska
e-mail: ewa_rembialkowska@sggw.pl
Warsaw University of Life Sciences