Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NUTRI-KNOW (NUTRI-KNOW - BROADENING THE IMPACT OF EIP-AGRI OPERATIONAL GROUPS IN THE FIELD OF NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT: KNOWLEDGE EXPLOITATION AND EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND MATERIAL FOR FARMERS AND PRACTITIONERS)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-06-30
In recent years, numerous EIP-AGRI Operational Groups (OGs) have generated extensive knowledge on technologies, products, recommendations, and best practices in nutrient management. Despite this, the adoption of these innovations by practitioners in the agri-livestock sector has been significantly lower than anticipated. The underutilization of these advanced nutrient management strategies highlights a critical gap between the development of knowledge and its practical application. The NUTRI-KNOW project aims to address this by enhancing the impact of EIP-AGRI OG innovations on nutrient management, with the broader goal of modernising and dynamising the agricultural sector. The project seeks to achieve this by collecting, translating, and sharing practical, easily understandable knowledge to ensure its effective adoption by farmers, practitioners, and other relevant stakeholders. NUTRI-KNOW strategically involves 12 EIP-AGRI OGs from four Member States—Spain, Italy, Belgium, and Ireland. These projects cover the entire nutrient management value chain, including livestock farming, storage systems, processing technologies, fertilizer production, transport, and application. NUTRI-KNOW’s methodology comprises five key steps (image 1): step 1) comprehensive data collection and analysis of outcomes from the engaged OGs; step 2) multi-approach baseline analysis to establish a robust understanding of the current context; step 3) consolidation and translation of knowledge into practitioner-friendly language; step 4) dissemination and transfer of practice-oriented materials through channels commonly used by farmers; and step 5) connecting stakeholders and regions. By implementing this methodology, NUTRI-KNOW aims to achieve several significant impacts. First, it seeks to bridge the knowledge-to-application gap, ensuring that the wealth of knowledge generated by EIP-AGRI OGs is effectively adopted and utilized in the agricultural sector. This will help practitioners to better apply advanced nutrient management strategies, enhancing overall efficiency and productivity. Second, NUTRI-KNOW intends to develop a Results Amplification Methodology. This will provide guidelines for effectively scaling and broadening project outcomes across various themes, ensuring that the benefits of innovative practices are maximized and widely distributed. Third, the project aims to foster a sustainable and dynamic agricultural sector by promoting sustainable practices and innovations. These efforts will enhance the vitality and productivity of agriculture, contributing to long-term environmental and economic benefits. Ultimately, NUTRI-KNOW aspires to transform the agricultural landscape by facilitating the practical application of advanced nutrient management strategies. This transformation will lead to a more modern, dynamic, and sustainable agricultural sector, capable of meeting current and future challenges effectively.
M18 - NUTRI-KNOW’s Methodology Progress:
Step 1: Data collection and analysis from engaged OGs (T1.1 + T1.2 + T1.3 + T1.4): Successfully achieved, encompassing the collection and analysis of a comprehensive dataset on nutrient management practices. This phase resulted in the identification of innovative practices, qualitative cost-benefit analyses, and the creation of a centralized meta-database. These foundational achievements lay the groundwork for subsequent phases aimed at enhancing nutrient management practices.
Step 2: Baseline analysis to understand the current context (T2.1 + T2.2 + T2.3): Accomplished with precision, this step ensured alignment with EU policies and regulations, identified the target audience, and mapped out the sector's urgent needs, challenges, and opportunities. Additionally, a thorough review of existing projects and networks was conducted, fostering synergy and optimizing resource utilization.
Step 3: Consolidation and translation of knowledge (T3.1: Achieved + T3.2 + T3.3 + T3.4: Initiated): Transitioning the collected knowledge into actionable insights for end-users has commenced, with ongoing efforts to adapt and contextualize the information according to regional requirements. This phase includes the production of user-friendly materials such as booklets and practice abstracts.
Step 4: Dissemination through farmer channels (T4.1: Achieved + T4.2 + T4.3: Initiated): Implementation of a Dissemination, Exploitation, and Communication (DEC) Strategy has been successfully executed, accompanied by the creation of various dissemination materials. These efforts aim to ensure broad accessibility and utilization of project outcomes.
Step 5: Stakeholder connection (T4.4: Initiated): The launch of NUTRI-KNOW’s Community of Practice (CoP) in June 2024 signifies a pivotal step in fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among practitioners. This platform provides a space for stakeholders to share insights, address challenges, and collectively advance nutrient management practices.
Added Value: Result Amplification Methodology (T5.1: Initiated): The initiation of the Result Amplification Methodology (RAM) marks a significant advancement in broadening the impact of EIP-AGRI OG outcomes. By engaging stakeholders in upscaling OG outcomes, this methodology aims to maximise the real-world impact of project initiatives.
Step 1: Data collection and analysis from engaged OGs (T1.1 + T1.2 + T1.3 + T1.4): Successfully achieved, encompassing the collection and analysis of a comprehensive dataset on nutrient management practices. This phase resulted in the identification of innovative practices, qualitative cost-benefit analyses, and the creation of a centralized meta-database. These foundational achievements lay the groundwork for subsequent phases aimed at enhancing nutrient management practices.
Step 2: Baseline analysis to understand the current context (T2.1 + T2.2 + T2.3): Accomplished with precision, this step ensured alignment with EU policies and regulations, identified the target audience, and mapped out the sector's urgent needs, challenges, and opportunities. Additionally, a thorough review of existing projects and networks was conducted, fostering synergy and optimizing resource utilization.
Step 3: Consolidation and translation of knowledge (T3.1: Achieved + T3.2 + T3.3 + T3.4: Initiated): Transitioning the collected knowledge into actionable insights for end-users has commenced, with ongoing efforts to adapt and contextualize the information according to regional requirements. This phase includes the production of user-friendly materials such as booklets and practice abstracts.
Step 4: Dissemination through farmer channels (T4.1: Achieved + T4.2 + T4.3: Initiated): Implementation of a Dissemination, Exploitation, and Communication (DEC) Strategy has been successfully executed, accompanied by the creation of various dissemination materials. These efforts aim to ensure broad accessibility and utilization of project outcomes.
Step 5: Stakeholder connection (T4.4: Initiated): The launch of NUTRI-KNOW’s Community of Practice (CoP) in June 2024 signifies a pivotal step in fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among practitioners. This platform provides a space for stakeholders to share insights, address challenges, and collectively advance nutrient management practices.
Added Value: Result Amplification Methodology (T5.1: Initiated): The initiation of the Result Amplification Methodology (RAM) marks a significant advancement in broadening the impact of EIP-AGRI OG outcomes. By engaging stakeholders in upscaling OG outcomes, this methodology aims to maximise the real-world impact of project initiatives.
M18:
NUTRI-KNOW's Knowledge Gathering: Potential Impact: Knowledge homogenisation as well as a strong foundation of knowledge flow and exploitation for project reasons.
NUTRI-KNOW's Metadatabase: Potential Impact: Standarisation of EIP-AGRI OG’s knowledge but also active contributing to other initiatives by feeding to other knowledge repositories such as EU-FARMBOOK.
Stakeholder Regional Mappings: Potential Impact: Contextualisation of end-users helping to understand their needs, barriers and opportunities.
Several practice-oriented materials aiming end-users: Potential Impact: Eventually, increased knowledge by end-users of EIP-AGRI OG’s innovations.
NUTRI-KNOW CoP: Potential Impact: Eventually, increased knowledge by end-users of EIP-AGRI OG’s innovations.
NUTRI-KNOW's Knowledge Gathering: Potential Impact: Knowledge homogenisation as well as a strong foundation of knowledge flow and exploitation for project reasons.
NUTRI-KNOW's Metadatabase: Potential Impact: Standarisation of EIP-AGRI OG’s knowledge but also active contributing to other initiatives by feeding to other knowledge repositories such as EU-FARMBOOK.
Stakeholder Regional Mappings: Potential Impact: Contextualisation of end-users helping to understand their needs, barriers and opportunities.
Several practice-oriented materials aiming end-users: Potential Impact: Eventually, increased knowledge by end-users of EIP-AGRI OG’s innovations.
NUTRI-KNOW CoP: Potential Impact: Eventually, increased knowledge by end-users of EIP-AGRI OG’s innovations.