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Innovation & knowledge exchange | EIP-AGRI

Organic Farming

This is a special thematic edition of the Innovation, Knowledge Exchange and EIP-AGRI newsletter. This edition focuses on organic farming

INSPIRATIONAL IDEAS

Walloon farmers test pesticide and tillage reduction strategies

Farmers (organic and conservation agriculture), researchers, advisors and others join forces in a living lab in Wallonia. Organic farmer Vincent: "I decided to join the group as I wanted to gain new practical knowledge on how to reduce the intensity of tillage in field crops to improve soil fertility. Controlling weeds is my biggest challenge.”

Ecofriendly techniques for organic orchard pest management

ECO_FRUCT_BN, a Romanian Operational Group, is developing methods to improve insect pest control in organic fruit production. Trials are carried out on four pilot farms applying integrated pest management strategies and a solution for storing organic fruit. Their aim is to improve organic production whilst safeguarding the environment and biodiversity.

The Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production in the EU

Within the European Green Deal the EU aims to achieve at least 25% of the EU’s agricultural land under organic farming by 2030. An Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production in the EU has been developed to help to achieve this goal. Find out what this plan sets out.

EIP-AGRI SUPPORT FACILITY ACTIVITIES

Organic farming in the spotlight

Organic agriculture enables farmers to produce high quality food with a low environmental impact. By avoiding the use of chemical inputs, organic farming systems have positive effects on our environment, climate, biodiversity, animal welfare, farmer incomes…. The EU CAP network supports organic farming by promoting and sharing innovative practices. See here. 

EIP-AGRI Brochure Organic farming: Innovative approaches to support conversion

This brochure highlights inspiring examples on successful conversion to organic farming. Discover farmer-driven transition programmes in Ireland, a biodistrict – eco-friendly development model - in Italy and more platforms and projects which are working towards a stronger organic value chain. Download the brochure. 

EIP-AGRI Workshop Conversion to organic farming

This workshop took place in Italy in June 2022. The aim of the event was to exchange knowledge and inspirational practices that can support farmers in successfully converting to organic agriculture. Three field visits let participants experience innovative approaches to scale up conversion. Read the report and other materials from the event.

AGRI challenge: organic farming

Andrea Battiata is an Italian organic farmer. He has developed an alternative type of farming, which restores nutrients to the soil, sequesters CO2, is more resilient to climate change, and mimics what happens in nature, particularly in forests. Watch this video.

Save the date: Conference on ‘Organic plant health care strategies’

TP Organics along with partners is organising this conference on 17-18 November. It will have 2 parts: Copper Minimisation in plant protection and Organic plant health care strategies and biodiversity. The conference will be held as a hybrid event.

Take a look at the EU CAP Network European calendar 

for other events related to Organic farming.

DID YOU KNOW

Did you know that The Food for Europe podcast has many episodes related to organic farming? It explores how the organic sector is doing today and what is expected of it in the future. Episodes such as “EU Organic Awards” and “EU organic action plan – what's on the plate?”. Have a listen!

EIP-AGRI NETWORK ACTIVITIES

Thematic Group on Strengthening the position of farmers in the organic supply chain

The CAP Implementation Contact Point (former ENRD) set up this Thematic Group within the context of the Farm to Fork Strategy and the Action Plan for Organic Production. The group is made up of people from across the organic supply chain, exploring current approaches and identifying success factors. Their second meeting is on 24 November. More info.

YouTube channel on organic farming in Hungary

The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (ÖMKi) established in 2011, promotes organic agriculture in Hungary. It has set up an on-farm research network of more than 100 producers. Topics are determined by the farmers and experiments carried out on the farm. Find out more and watch the 170 videos they have produced documenting their work.

The Organic Cities network

“The long-term goal of the Organic Cities network is that all inhabitants have indiscriminate access to fresh, affordable, seasonal and organically grown regional food” - Claudio Serafini, Director. Partner cities, municipalities and districts collaborate to raise awareness, boost demand, support research and development, create local and regional dynamics for policy and initiatives across Europe. Discover the network.

Organic Farm Knowledge 

– 24 October 2022

How to prevent rosy apple aphid infestation using flower strips 🌺🌻🌷

➡️ Check out the latest 
@biofruitnet

Practice Abstract ⚒️

🔗 Link to tool: https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/44181
 

Boosting innovation in organic fruit production

BIOFRUITNET Horizon 2020 project has been collecting, assessing, and sharing best practice in pest and disease management in pome, stone and citrus fruit production. Check out their practice abstracts (summaries of management strategies) and videos. Many more materials including podcasts and e-learning courses will be published in the coming months. More info. 

There are many more Horizon projects related to organic farming, have a look at Bresov which is about enhancing productivity of different organic vegetable crops. More can be found here.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Horizon Europe and organic farming

At the end of November, the Work Programme for Horizon Europe for the calls for 2023-2024 will be published. Horizon Europe Cluster 6 on ‘Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment’ includes seven different “destinations” on themes such as biodiversity and circular economy. Organic farming cuts across the destinations to create links between calls and ensure valuable synergies. More info. 

EU organic awards ceremony 2022

Watch the full recording of the inaugural EU organic awards ceremony that took place in Brussels on 23 September 2022. Prizes are awarded to the winners. Keep an eye out for the launch of the 2023 edition of these awards in the new year. Watch the recording.

SEND US INPUT FOR THE EIP-AGRI NEWSLETTER

If you have relevant information for the EIP-AGRI network based on innovation in agriculture- a video, a funding opportunity, an inspirational idea, a call for contributions, a survey, a report, then please do send it to us innovation-knowledge@eucapnetwork.eu. 

Newsletters go out on the second Tuesday of every month, so please send the info to us at least 4 weeks before that date.

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