AFINET
2017
Agroforestry Innovation Networks
The future of innovation in European agriculture and forestry is based on the improved (digital) exchange of best practices between farmers, researchers and advisors from different sectors and member states.
EURAKNOS is the sister project of EUREKA
We facilitate and support thematic networks by connecting and extending the current network of thematic networks.
We collect knowledge, materials and tools of the thematic networks.
We develop an EU-wide open source agricultural knowledge innovation database.
2017
Agroforestry Innovation Networks
2017
AFINET is coordinated by UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Agroforestry (AF) is the practice of deliberately integrating woody vegetation (trees or shrubs) with crop and/or animal systems to benefit from the resulting ecological and economic interactions. Research activities developed by AFINET partners indicates that appropriate application of AF principles and practices is a key avenue to help the European Union to achieve more sustainable methods of food and fibre production, producing both profits for farmers and environmental benefits. However up to now exists a lack of AF knowledge among end-users that prevent the correct implementation of these practices.
2019
Boosting Innovation in Organic FRUIT production through strong knowledge NETworks
2019
BIOFRUITNET is coordinated by NATURLAND - VERBAND FUR OKOLOGISCHEN LANDBAU EV
The EU is the leading region for the production of organic fruits, with a rapidly expanding production and a demand for organic products which grows every year. However, at the same time, the amount and value of organic imports from outside the EU is increasing. For organic fruit farmers in the EU this poses a challenge to succeed in an increasingly competitive market. In addition, organic fruit growing is a very demanding farming activity. This is because, the sector faces specific problems that cannot be solved using conventional approaches based on the use of synthetics substances. As organic fruit growers cannot rely on synthetic inputs, many of them have, on a local level, developed competitive strategies to improve plant health. Moreover, there is considerable research on improving organic fruit growing systems. The problem, however, is that this knowledge is not easily accessible to farmers all over Europe and remains either locally known or only available in the scientific sphere.
2013
Sustainable Water treatment and Nutrient reuse options
2013
SUWANU is coordinated by BIOAZUL, SL
Agricultural practices put the biggest pressure on fresh water resources for irrigation (55% of the water use in Europe) and on fertilizer usage. The European farmers face serious problems such as freshwater scarcity and nutrient availability, extreme climate conditions and the growing demand of the increasing population. This results in rising prices for mineral fertilizers and food, risky measures such as untreated wastewater applications on fields, and environmental damages from overexploitation of resources.
Even though important local efforts have been made on research activities and initiatives for wastewater treatment and reuse in agriculture, an integrated approach is needed among regions which are developing such research, incentivizing scientific, governmental and business collaboration within wastewater reuse in Europe and supporting the establishment of common European guidelines and parameters for water and nutrient exploitation efficiency.
2020
European Network for interactive and innovative knowledge exchange on animal health and nutrition between the sheep industry actors and stakeholders
2020
EUROSHEEP is coordinated by INSTITUT DE L'ELEVAGE
The future of the sheep farming industry, in Europe and other associated countries, will be heavily influenced by its capacity to respond to several challenges including sustainability and profitability; environmental (in part due to climate change); and new societal expectations. To address these challenges, animal health and nutrition management are key levers which can be used by farmers EuroSheep will focus on those 2 topics.
The overall objective of the EuroSheep project is to create a self-sustainable EU/international Thematic Network on “sheep profitability through health and nutrition” designed to stimulate knowledge exchange and cross-fertilisation among a wide range of actors & stakeholders in the sheep sector in order to widely disseminate relevant and ready to use best practices and innovations, and to value the grassroots input and knowledge exchange from farmers to farmers.
EURAKNOS presents key findings relating to improving the sustainability of EU Thematic Networks and their results.
Watch the Recorded sessions:
The Explorer's Guide to Thematic Networks
Here is the last EURAKNOS newsletter. We will talk about:
* The final conference on the 26th of February
* National events
* Exploitation Strategy Seminar
* Video EURAKNOS to EUREKA
* Last consortium meeting
“EURAKNOS can be seen as the network of the networks that will analyze this knowledge to explore the feasibility of creating a modular database that makes this information more accessible to the farming community in a searchable and semi-standardized way."
“It is a really good idea to make a knowledge base, which comprises knowledge from several European countries. It is a place where farmers, advisors and everyone interested in agriculture can get inspired on how to innovate”
“Sharing knowledge to promote new technology - such as sensors to monitor livestock 24/7 - has resulted in increased feed efficiency, improved animal welfare, increased profitability and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The EURAKNOS TN will ensure this knowledge is reached by an even wider audience, helping to further the success of the 4D4F network.”
“One of the key learnings was actually with a group of farmers who were reluctant to engage because they had a history of being told that they were not performing. But with the power of good facilitation, they developed their own sense of ownership and empowerment, and were then able to deliver real change.”
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