How will Stratus enhance  knowledge sharing in Integrated Fertilization Management?

Instituto Navarro de Tecnologías e Infraestructuras Agroalimentarias SA

Description

Institute for Agri-food Technology and Infrastructures of Navarra (INTIA)
INTIA is a public corporation under the Ministry of Rural Development and Environment. INTIA’s core mission is to provide services for the transfer of knowledge, technologies and the innovation of the regional agri-food system. A pioneer in Spain in combining applied research with technology transfer, INTIA has been working rigorously and technically independently throughout the value chain since 1980.

Role in the project

INTIA is the coordinator of the STRATUS project

Agricultural Advisory Centre in Brwinow

Description

Centrum Doradztwa Rolniczego w Brwinowie together with its Branches in Cracow, Poznan, Radom and Warsaw, is a state organizational unit reporting directly to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Center cooperates with agricultural advisory services, government and local governmental institutions, industry organizations, scientific and research institutes and other organizations and institutions working for the development of rural areas and agriculture. The purpose of the activities carried out is to improve the knowledge and skills of the advisors and to raise and standardize the standards of services provided by advisors to farmers.

Role in the project

WP1:
1. Structure, implement and steer the network to lay the foundations of the WP2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 activities, connecting advisors in all EU27 MS around three networks (FINs) addressing the main challenges on Integrated
Fertilization Management (IFM) ensuring their integration into their respective regional/national AKIS through the Communities of Practices (CoPs).
2. Ensure interaction with policy makers and the alignment of the project outcomes with the relevant policy framework.
3. Develop a strategy for the network’s sustainability after the project’s end.

WP2:
1. Establishment of guidelines for the identification and collection of GPs and RIs, as well as collection of needs of the users of the STRATUS digital platform.
2. Development, update, and upgrade of the project’s digital platform.
3. Collection of GPs and RIs following the guidelines established for this purpose

WP4:
1. Method development and organisation of cross visits
2. Method development and organisation of demonstrations
3. Method development and organisation of trainings with the Train the Trainer approach.

Agricultural University of Athens

Description

AUA – Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) is a major Agricultural University in Greece and the third oldest in the country, offering research and extension in agri-food for the public and private sectors. AUA research addresses a wide range of issues related to food safety and environmental protection, including the areas of precision agriculture, imaging, AI & robotics, web applications and databases.

Role in the project

In the STRATUS project, the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) will develop a digital platform for precision agriculture, aimed at cataloging integrated fertiliser management practices, delivering specialized training material for advisors, and facilitating networking among farming innovation networks and communities of practice. This platform is crafted based on extensive user needs analysis, ensuring it serves as an effective knowledge exchange hub, accessible in nine languages.
As the scientific leader in precision farming, AUA leverages digital technology to optimize fertiliser application, highlighting its commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural practices within STRATUS.

Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia

Description

Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia is the umbrella interest organization of natural and legal persons in the Republic of Slovenia engaged in agriculture, forestry and fishery. Its central task is to protect and represent their interests, to consult them and accelerate economical and environment friendly activities.

Preferential tasks:

• Acceleration of development and improvement of economic conditions
• Assurance of specialist services operation
• Co-formation of legislation
• Improvement of social conditions in life
• Keeping settlement of Slovenian rural areas
• Promotion of Slovenian agriculture at home and abroad
  Specialist services of the chamber:
• Agricultural advisory service
• Selection and monitoring production in stockbreeding
• Forestry advisory service
• Centers for fruit-growing and nursery
  The specialist services operate in eight regional agricultural forestry institutions.

Structure:
The Chamber works on 3 levels:

• Chamber’s Headquarters in Ljubljana
• 13 district subsidiaries established throughout Slovenia
• 59 local units operating on a local level.

In the mandate for the period 2020 to 2024 the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia is presented by the president Roman Žveglič, vice-presidents Marjan Golavšek and Janez Šimenc, and the director of the Chamber’s Headquarter Janez Pirc.

International cooperation:
CAFS is also actively involved in international activities. It is a member of Copa Cogeca and it participates on international conferences, congresses, fairs and preserves and strengthens good interaction with the agricultural organizations within and outside EU, especially with the organizations in ex-Yugoslavia states.
CAFS is also a partner on several European projects.

Role in the project

The role of CAFS as a partner in the project is oriented in creation the advisory service network and targeting to knowledge: in gathering the knowledge and knowledge transfer through following the progress and learning the cross visits implementation. CAFS is also the co-leader of WP 4 and responsible for one deliverable. Cafs participates in all WPs. Dessimination of activities and results is also one of the important task. In both ways: sharing good advisory praciticies from CAFS and Slovenia and gathering and implememning good praciticies from project partners.

Iniciativas Innovadoras SAL

Description

INICIATIVAS INNOVADORAS is a consultancy company specialized in promoting innovation and facilitating cooperation as key factors in the development of organisations. Iniciativas Innovadoras has broad experience in different EU Programmes (Interreg, Eco-innovation, ICT-PSP, FP7 and H2020), participating either as partners or supporting public and private organizations. Only in the last three years, Iniciativas Innovadoras has participated in more than 30 projects on different topics (agriculture, local and rural development, R&D&i, business cooperation, environment). The activities covered are technical, financial and administrative management and coordination as well as dissemination and exploitation tasks. INI has also participated in technical activities related to innovation in different fields, such as stakeholder identification and involvement, diagnosis and benchmarking, participatory methodology design and implementation, business inventories, or workshop facilitation.

Role in the project

INI is responsible for the Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation. They also support in the Project coordination and Management.

Southern Agriculture and Horticulture Organization

Description

ZLTO is the Southern Netherlands organisation of 13.000 farmers with 9.000 farms. ZLTO is one of the three organizations that work in the federation LTO Nederland. Together they represent 45.000 Dutch Farmers.

Role in the project

In STRATUS project, ZLTO brings the interest and experience of farmers. It leads the workpackage on Facilitation of Knowledge transfer and exchange, which brings trainings, Cross Visits and demos. ZLTO has a strong background and is involved in all 3 Fertilisation Innovation Networks: Soil Quality, Precision Farming and Bio Based Fertilizers. ZLTO leads the Dutch Community of Practice.

Vegepolys Valley

Description

VEGEPOLYS VALLEY is a French competitiveness cluster which brings together 600 stakeholders of the plant ecosystem to strengthen their competitiveness. From its Angers headquarters and thanks to its presence on 6 other sites (in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Brittany, Centre-Val-de-Loire and Pays de la Loire), the cluster mobilizes 40 FTE employees for more than 600 members: companies, research and training centres, professional unions, development organisations and consular chambers.
It covers the entire plant value chain from genetics to use (Plant breeding, Plant and soil health, Farming equipment, Digital & AgTech, Seeds and young plants, Aromatic and medicinal plants, Crops (cereals), Vegetables and fruits, Ornamental plants, Cider and wine production, Feed and food, Nutrition, prevention, health, well-being and cosmetics, Agri-supply, Urban farming)
VEGEPOLYS VALLEY mobilises its members around 7 innovation axes and offers services related to innovation, business growth, internationalisation, networking and communication.

Role in the project

VEGEPOLYS VALLEY is in charge of the collection of the 104 good practices and Research Innovations with all FIN & CoP partners on Integrated Fertiliser Management and participates in actions to develop local networks, data management and dissemination of the project and its cross visits.

Association des Chambres d’Agriculture de l’Arc Atlantique

Description

The network of Chambers of Agriculture extends throughout France. On the field on a daily basis, they form a unique local network in France, providing advice, support and formation to farmers on various topics. For example, having worked for many years on plant cover, CRANA provides research and technical elements for better implementation and use as green manure. The MERCI tool allows you to calculate the contribution of a plant cover and therefore adjust the fertilization of the following crop.

Role in the project

The Chambers of agriculture, as Advisory Leader network, will lead the Network on “Bio-based fertilizers” and will offer their expertise on the other networks “precision farming” and “soil quality”. By mobilizing our knowledge and the experience of our advisors, we will offer our expertise on good agricultural practices in fertilization.

Eiropas Lauksaimniecibas Un Lauku Konsultantu Asociacija

Description

EUFRAS, founded in 2013, is a Europe-wide network supporting agricultural and rural advisory services in promoting innovation and knowledge transfer. Our aim is to enhance the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of advisors’ work in agriculture and rural development. We address current challenges through collaboration and innovation, fostering knowledge exchange and co-learning through workshops, seminars, and conferences. EUFRAS represents advisory services and facilitates cooperation with stakeholders such as policymakers, farmers’ organizations, and training institutions. Our platform provides opportunities for engagement beyond our membership, amplifying our impact in the agricultural knowledge and innovation system.

Role in the project

The EUFRAS platform serves as a gateway for engaging with advisory services across the EU, transcending the membership confines of the STRATUS consortium. In addition to contributing to STRATUS communication, dissemination, and networking efforts, EUFRAS leverages its established event platform to seamlessly integrate project side-events. This approach ensures inclusivity for all interested parties, extending beyond the project’s membership boundaries.

South Eastern Europe Advisory Service Network

Description

South Eastern Advisory Service Network (SEASN) is an association of agricultural advisory services, agricultural chambers,
agricultural research institutes, universities, and nongovernmental organizations founded in Bulgaria on 22nd October 2015.
SEASN has 19 members from 14 countries in the Balkan region. Our scope of work is transferring knowledge from EU
projects to all EU and non-EU members. We provide workshops and training in the field of understanding and promoting
interactive innovation. Our main objectives are:

1. Increasing the efficiency of agricultural advisory services in order to develop agriculture and rural areas in the region
2. A dynamic exchange of knowledge and experiences of advisory services
3. Simple exchange of experiences, knowledge, and information, in an understandable local language;
4. Easier cooperation with similar organizations in the region and Europe
5. Regional projects cooperation
6. Regular correspondence among members of the Association.

Role in the project

SEASN main roles in the project are:

1. Communication, dissemination and engagement
2. Research performer
3. Testing/validation of approaches and ideas
4. Education and training

Regione Toscana

Description

Tuscany Region is an Italian Regional Government located in the Center of Italy. It has direct legislative competences in forest management and forestry. It is Regional Managing Authority of EARDF and ERDF. By acting as Managing Authority, Tuscany Region has a direct competence in allocating resources, fostering innovation and selecting innovative projects and initiatives related with agriculture, forest and food resources. Since September 2012, Tuscany Region has been coordinating an informal European Network called ERIAFF (European Regions for Innovation in Agriculture, Food and Forestry).

Tuscany Region is also committed as lead Region in the development of a S3 AGROFOOD Platform Thematic Partnership focusing on High Tech Farming (Precision Farming).

Role in the project

Tuscany Region is a partner of STRATUS project.

Eigen Vermogen Van Het Instituut Voor Landbouw- En Visserijonderzoek

Description

Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO) is an independent scientific research institute of Flanders’ Government. ILVO’s task is to generate knowledge for more sustainability in the agriculture, fisheries and agri-food sectors. Starting from a strong anchor in Flanders, their work extends throughout Belgium, Europe and the rest of the world.

Role in the project

ILVO participates in all 3 sub-networks (Precision Farming, bio-based fertilisers and soil quality) and is advisory leader of the Precision farming sub-network. Further, ILVO will train the advisors and provide demonstrations.

At last, ILVO will assist with the collection of GPs and RIs and will perform the systemic feasibility analysis of the gathered good fertilization practices to facilitate the selection of Best Fertilization practices.

Wageningen University & Research

Description

The experts of Field crops Wageningen Research contribute to innovation and knowledge development in arable farming, field production of vegetables, green space, nursery stock and fruit growing, at both the national and international level. As our work on developing practical innovations is commissioned by the private and the public sectors, we ensure that our independent position and academic integrity are always at the forefront.

We have test facilities equipped to carry out accurate and efficient tests and demos, both in the field and under controlled conditions.

Role in the project

Systemic feasibility assessment (WP3): Co-lead Fertilization Innovation Networks:

• Biobased fertilisers: Scientific Leader
• Precision farming: member
• Soil quality: member

HS Hushallningssallskapens Service Aktiebolag

Description

The history of Hushållningssällskapet stretches back to 1791, when the country’s first Hushållningssällskapet was established on Gotland. Back then, over 230 years ago, Sweden was a different country than it is today. At that time, agriculture formed the basis for the entire nation’s prosperity and famine was a fact in many places. New knowledge was needed for more rational food production. Knowledge literally became the difference between life and death in poor Sweden. Today the situation is different, but there are still clear points of contact between the past and the present. Household management with the earth’s resources is today more relevant than ever.
Customers and members drive development
The customers are in agriculture, forestry, food and several other green and blue industries. Most operate in rural areas, while others make business out of rural resources. In addition, there are many clients in the public sector, students at natural farming high schools and approx. 25,000 members across the country. The activities take place in consultancy and education as well as in research, field trials and development projects at regional and national level.
Independent knowledge is the key to the agriculture of the future. Our activities are broad and independent, free from commercial and political interests. Sweden’s future lies, among other things, in all the independent knowledge that is spread to the younger generations via our nine natural farming high schools, in innovative research and innovative power, and in our field trials, the results of which are spread across the country. The farmer’s new cattle shed is built more efficiently and less tiringly, the forest owner receives better payment for his wood through good advice and concrete plans. By having knowledge of the entire chain, from seed to finished product, our advisors help customers see sustainable solutions for better profitability. Our independence is a matter of course and forms the backbone of our business, then as now.

Everything is connected
The future for us is children’s health, student development, a sustainable society, profitability and better business for our customers and members. It is found in the seven-year-old who receives better school food, in successful field trials and in the laboratory results that give our clients the conditions to succeed in their business through improved soil, fodder and fertilizer quality.

Today, the total turnover for the Household Societies is over SEK 900 million and the number of employees is approximately 1,000 people.

The associations are an important part of Sweden’s history and are today a significant actor that develops the green business life. Together we take care of the earth’s resources.

Role in the project

As an organization focused on advisory services as well as the development of better farming practices, Hushållningssällskapet has taken up the role of advisory leader in the topic of soil quality. We will also be an active partner in assamblying best practices and are keen to exchange experiences with other European partners.

Associated Organizations with HS-F

HUSHALLNINGSSALLSKAPET SJUHARAD

HIR SKANE AB

HUSHALLNINGSSALLSKAPET JONKOPING

University Of Ghent

Description

Ghent University is one of the largest universities in Belgium and is a frontrunner in scientific research. The department Re-Source has has built up a strong expertise in agro-industrial environmental technology through active participation and/or coordination in various European and Flemish projects. Ghent University is an important partner as coordinator of the Flemish nutrient platform: Nutricycle Vlaanderen and is therefore in close contact with various stakeholders. This Flemish nutrient platform examines, among other things, the extent to which the transition can be made effectively from nutrient removal to more nutrient recovery. Ghent University also coordinates the Biorefine Cluster Europe (www.biorefine.eu), a freely accessible partnership between circular economy projects and Re-Source (www.re-source.bio), a network that brings together researchers and their initiatives.Role in the project.

As an organization focused on advisory services as well as the development of better farming practices, Hushållningssällskapet has taken up the role of advisory leader in the topic of soil quality. We will also be an active partner in assamblying best practices and are keen to exchange experiences with other European partners.

Rol in the project

The Re-Source group of Ghent University will help in setting up the transnational Fertilisation Innovation Network on Biobased fertilizers and the national/regional communities of practice. Once established, ReSource will actively support the FINs and COP based on our scientific expertise on biobased fertilizers as well as our extensive network (Nutricycle Vlaanderen, Biorefine Cluster Europe,…).