The purpose of a Focus Group is to explore practical innovative solutions to problems or opportunities and to draw on and share experiences gained from relevant innovative projects. "We are looking for farmers, advisers and scientists who have experience in practical research and innovation actions to join these three focus groups", says Roger Waite, European Commission Spokesperson for Agriculture and Rural Development. "We want to encourage everybody with relevant technical knowledge, as well as knowledge of the economic situation related to the topic of the focus group they are applying for."

The Focus Group themes:

For the current call, experts, including farmers, advisers and researchers are invited to apply for participation in focus groups on the following topics:

1.       Optimising the profitability of crop production through ecological focus areas,

2.       Innovative short food supply chain management

3.       Integrated pest management practices for soil-borne diseases suppression in arable crops, both in greenhouse and open field

All Focus Groups will be required to:

• make a summary description of the issue,
• take stock of the state of the art of practice in the field of its activity, listing problems and opportunities,
• take stock of the state of the art of research in its field, summarising possible solutions to the problems listed,
• identify needs from practice and propose directions for further research,
• propose priorities for innovative actions by suggesting potential practical operational groups or other project formats to test solutions and opportunities, including ways to disseminate the practical knowledge gathered.

The outcomes of each Focus Group will be presented in a report and feed into the EIP-AGRI network which will share the knowledge and practical experience with the wider public as well as with relevant programming authorities.

All three Focus Groups will be organised and carried out in English, and members will participate in two face-to-face meetings.

More information about the call for experts participating in Focus Groups of the European Innovation Partnership on "Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability" here.

Contact: Willemine Brinkman via innovativefarming@eip-agri.eu

About EIP-AGRI

The European Innovation Partnership (EIP) "Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability" aims to provide a working interface for innovation actors, including farmers, advisors, agri-business, civil society, and researchers, working at EU, national and regional level. The partnership aims to act as a catalyst for innovation-related actions to foster enhanced productivity and sustainable resource management across the whole value chain. In line with this, the European Commission, Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development, requested theEIP-AGRI Service Point to set up Focus Groups on specific agricultural topics to facilitate innovative actions in the field and better connect science and practice.