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Water management solutions for agricultural sector, thematic networks

 

Specific challenge: Effective use and market exploitation of water research results is often limited by the lack of adequate knowledge exchange practices and mechanisms. The same applies for research that gives answers to policy implementation, like achieving good status under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) or good environmental status under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and achieving the objectives of other EU water legislation. This is exacerbated by the fact that water research and innovation faces several multidisciplinary challenges and involves a wide variety of policy sectors, decision makers, public and private users and stakeholders at various levels.

Critical mass is needed for knowledge exchange, to ensure wide applicability of research results, facilitate the translation of knowledge into use by various stakeholders, reduce unnecessary duplication of efforts, raise public awareness of water-related issues and promote innovation and business development.

Scope:

Proposals should aim to:

         implement measures to showcase, exchange, test and transfer water management solutions to end-users in the agricultural sector in view of improving water use efficiency and quality in agricultural practices. Activities should benefit various types of agriculture and pedo-climatic zones;

         contribute to a 'thematic network'[1] on water in agriculture with broad involvement of practitioners and other stakeholders throughout Europe to compile, disseminate and further develop solutions; and

         support the integration of water relevant issues in the EIP on 'Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability', including linking up with EIP operational groups and related actions of the EIP on 'Water'.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU in the range of EUR 3 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected impact:

Enhanced interface between knowledge (practical, scientific) and agricultural user communities in the area of water use efficiency and water quality. Increased application of water-related solutions (at technological, management or organisational levels) by end-users in agriculture resulting in reduced pressure for water from agricultural practices. Support to the implementation of the EIPs on 'Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability' and 'Water'.

Type of action:Coordination and support actions

 

[1]     According to the concept of a 'thematic network' under the EIP on Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability, supporting stocktaking of scientific knowledge and best practice, as well as knowledge exchange on specific themes, resulting in end-user output to be shared amongst others via EIP tools: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/eip/