Towards Operational Groups in Denmark Annette Abildskov CONTENT

Towards Operational Groups in Denmark Annette Abildskov

CONTENT 1. Examples of existing Operational Groups 2. Examples of Operational Groups not qualifying 3. Barriers for farmers to discuss & be innovative 4. How can EIP / Operational Groups address obstacles 5. How to motivate farmers to set-up Operational Groups 6. Barriers for linking farmers with other stakeholders Towards Operational 2

Existing Operational Groups: Case 1 What challenge / opportunity does “OG” discuss? • What measures and techniques to use securing water environment in farm areas How did the “OG” start, who initiated? • Initiated by the Knowledge Centre for Agriculture in collaboration with the local advisory centre/farmers union, local farmers, local municipality, the County and Aarhus University What have been the key success factors for the “OG”? • • Engaging a broad group of stakeholders Productive and creative dialogue organised by the local council Testing a number of new innovative methods, e. g. intelligent buffer zones and controlled drainage Initiating a number of new research projects How have (national) policies contributed to the “OG”? • Water Framework Directive was motivation and inspiration Towards Operational 3

Existing Operational Groups: Case 2 What challenge / opportunity does “OG” discuss? • Finding new techniques to improve reproduction, health and feeding conditions in milk cattle herds by the advanced automatic milk analysing unit ‘Herd Navigator’ How did the “OG” start, who initiated? • • Initiated by the Knowledge Centre for Agriculture in collaboration with two companies (SAAC and Alfa Laval) and Aarhus University Involving major dairy cow farmers What have been the key success factors for the “OG”? • • • Development of ‘Herd Navigator’ Involving all relevant stakeholders from advisory service, farmers, manufacturing companies and university Awarded the “Gouden Hoof” at the Agribex fair in Belgium in 2009 How have (national) policies contributed to the “OG”? • Towards Operational 4

Existing Operational Groups: Case 3 What challenge / opportunity does “OG” discuss? • • • Improving low quality Danish beans to high quality by heat treatment Testing a mobile toaster unit at a farm Testing and monitoring protein in cows by Aarhus University How did the “OG” start, who initiated? • • A farmer approached the Knowledge Centre for Agriculture Team of 4 farmers, the Knowledge Centre and Aarhus University was formed What have been the key success factors for the “OG”? • • Customer-driven innovation Critical mass of the group (farmers to university) Preliminary test verifying Danish protein beans can replace foreign import Danish agribusiness feed processing has changed to the new practice How have (national) policies contributed to the “OG”? • Towards Operational 5

Operational Groups not qualifying: Case 1 Give a real or imagined example of a group that includes farmers, that according to your ideas would not be allowed to qualify as OG (or where you have doubts) • Exclusive consultancy • Industry-driven projects not based on bottom up / end-users / customerdriven innovation involving farmers • As a minimum: – farmers must be involved in a steering committee – farmers must be trained properly to handle assignment professionally Towards Operational 6

Operational Groups not qualifying: Case 2 Give a real or imagined example of a group that includes farmers, that according to your ideas would not be allowed to qualify as OG (or where you have doubts) • Groups or organisations having a political mission and interest • Economic unstable and financially weak groups unable to fulfil a given project Towards Operational 7

Operational Groups not qualifying: Case 3 Give a real or imagined example of a group that includes farmers, that according to your ideas would not be allowed to qualify as OG (or where you have doubts) • Groups funded by commercial companies for own financial benefit targeting a narrow costumer group For example: – farmers with a narrow focus – groups with no obligation to publish the results of their project Towards Operational 8

Barriers for farmers to discuss & be innovative • Farmers are busy and their primarily focus is on the operation of the farm and daily practical challenges • Often no financial support for private owned farms participating in innovation projects • Farmers experience manufacturing companies tend to be secretive and protective of their knowledge and often insist on owning the project results • Farmers fears tougher restrictions when new environmental technologies or methods are developed • Project application procedure and project administration is too complicated Towards Operational 9

How can EIP / Operational Groups address obstacles • Develop social media for quick access for farmers to introduce new challenges or ideas • Create a farmers media that motivated to participate in open innovation • Work with committed farmers already in experienced groups • Initiatives to open up EU and national funds for financial support for farmers participating in innovation projects • Introduce new methods to legally safeguard SME’s knowledge and facilitate partnership agreements Towards Operational 10

How to motivate farmers to set-up Operational Groups • Create mutual trust is important for the involvement of farmers and also stakeholders • Organisations working with farmers should be trustworthy – must important bridge builder between farmers and other stakeholders • Themes of Operational groups must reflect real problems and challenges for the farmer • Create a forum for proclaimed innovative farmers to share inspiration and collaborate with research and knowledge institutions • Simplify application procedures and project administration for farmers and SME’s Towards Operational 11

Barriers for linking farmers with other stakeholders • Farmers scepticisms versus public implemented regulations and controlling bodies • Farmers experience manufacturing companies tend to be secretive and protective of their knowledge and often insist to own the results of the innovative project • Farmers scepticisms towards Ltd. Companies being involved for own benefit • Forums for farmers must deal with practical challenges and include actions, direction and solutions – mere discussion clubs are not of interest and will ebb out quickly as not real outcome! Towards Operational 12