Regional Expert Consultation
10-13 September 2018, Hungary
Regional expert consultation on knowledge sharing for agricultural innovations applicable for smallholders and family farmers in Europe and Central Asia.
Concept note
Concept note
Background
The State of Food and Agriculture: Innovation in family farming report (FAO, 2014) highlights that family farms are part of the solution for ensuring long-term global food security, rural poverty reduction and environmental sustainability. However, they need to be supported through adequate policies, competent institutions and capacities to innovate[1] and thus, achieving those goals. Therefore, promoting innovation in family farming is becoming a priority for politicians and policy makers around the world, including nations in Europe and Central Asia. Despite this fact, still very little is being done in transforming their knowledge systems from linear and centralized models towards inclusive, decentralized and pluralistic Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS)[2] that would revolutionize the sector (FAO, 2012). This is not a simple task. Family farms across the region are extremely diverse in size, market and knowledge access and other characteristics, implying diversity in the policy options for agricultural innovation systems. On its 39th session, the European Commission of Agriculture (ECA)[3], recognized the need for FAO to assist countries in developing capacities required by AIS actors in Europe and Central Asia, and need for a forum for countries in the region provided by FAO acting as a neutral broker for knowledge sharing on transforming the AIS in the Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region towards more efficient, inclusive, decentralized and pluralistic systems.
Furthermore, during the 31st session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe (ERC[4]), the FAO member countries in Europe and Central Asia encouraged FAO to continue its efforts on knowledge sharing on policies and good practices, in particular with focus on smallholders and family farmers and provide a neutral regional platform on which to share knowledge and support the implementation of national e-agriculture strategies for countries in Europe and Central Asia. The expert consultation contributes to the FAO regional result 50472 on the establishment of a regional knowledge-sharing platform on innovations applicable for smallholders and family farms, and regional result 50504 enhancing capacities of regional organizations and e-agriculture networks, and supports REU Regional initiative 1: Empowering smallholders and family farms for improved rural livelihoods and poverty reduction.
Objectives
The consultation will discuss
(i) the criteria for data collection on agricultural innovations for smallholders;
(ii) the mechanisms for data collection and validation,
(iii) related existing platforms/mechanism and gaps;
(iv) interaction and collaboration with other platforms and networks to avoid duplication.
More specifically, the expert consultation will:
- Elaborate and validate criteria for selection and data management of agricultural innovations, applicable for smallholders and family farms in Europe and Central Asia
- Identify and discuss relevant knowledge sharing platforms, identify gaps, define scope, parameters, and means of collaboration with other relevant platforms and networks in view of avoiding duplication of work
- Identify and present case studies for innovations for smallholders and family farms based on a country survey[5]
- Strengthen the regional e-agriculture network and support the innovation platform[6]
- Discuss the parameters of the regional observatory for e-agriculture innovations for stakeholders and family farms and e-agriculture policies
- Validate the review of the e-agriculture strategy guide for the region.
Expected outputs:
- Clear value proposition for a new platform
- Criteria for selection and data management of agricultural innovations
- Scope, parameters of the platform, and means of collaboration with other relevant platforms and networks defined
- Initial collection of case studies and good practices (entries)
- Regional e-agriculture network with redefined scope, mandate, mode of operation, sustainability
- Regional observatory for e-agriculture innovations for stallholders and family farms and e- agriculture policies with redefined criteria for data collection and management
- e-agriculture strategy guide for the region commented and revised
[1] Agricultural innovation is the process whereby individuals or organizations bring existing or new products, processes and forms of organization into social and economic use to increase effectiveness, competitiveness, resilience to shocks or environmental sustainability, thereby contributing to food and nutritional security, economic development and sustainable natural resource management. TAP Common Capacity development framework on AIS.
[2] The term ‘agricultural innovation system’ refers to the individuals, organizations and enterprises that bring new
products, processes and forms of organization into use to achieve food security, economic development and
sustainable natural resource management. Like any ‘system’, it encompasses the different stakeholders or actors as well as the linkages between them. It also includes the so-called ‘enabling environment’ which, as the name suggests, includes the factors making it all possible, such as political commitment and vision; policy, legal and economic frameworks; budget allocations and processes; governance and power structures; incentives and social norms (FAO, 2012).
[3]Report of the 39th session of the European Commission on Agriculture
[4] The ERC requested that FAO:
i. continue to assist countries in Europe and Central Asia in transforming their agricultural sectors and leveraging the livelihoods of farmers, both women and men, through e-agriculture and to foster its responsible use through the three Regional Initiatives;
ii. collect and analyse good practices, tools and mechanisms in e-agriculture for knowledge sharing and provide policy advice and capacity development to maximize benefits and minimize risks;
iii. develop, in collaboration with national, regional and international partners, an inclusive capacity-development framework and strategy in e-agriculture; and
iv. provide a neutral regional platform on which to share knowledge and support the implementation of national e-agriculture strategies for countries in Europe and Central Asia
[5] Invited country experts will be requested to participate in a survey prior the consultation
Event location
St. Istvan University, Museum of Agricultural Machinery, Knowledge Transfer Centre
in Hungarian: Tudástranszfer Központ
Entrance "C" 2nd Floor, Room Nr. TK 232,
Páter Károly út 1
2100 Gödöllő
Online map
https://goo.gl/maps/ugyaSkcG5J32
Language of the Workshop: English
Objectives
The consultation will discuss
the criteria for data collection on agricultural innovations for smallholders;
the mechanisms for data collection and validation,
related existing platforms/mechanism and gaps;
and the interaction and collaboration with other platforms and networks to avoid duplication.
More specifically, the expert consultation will:
Elaborate and validate criteria for selection and data management of agricultural innovations, applicable for smallholders and family farms in Europe and Central Asia
Identify and discuss relevant knowledge sharing platforms, identify gaps, define scope, parameters, and means of collaboration with other relevant platforms and networks in view of avoiding duplication of work
Identify and present case studies for innovations for smallholders and family farms based on a country survey1
Strengthen the regional e-agriculture network and support the innovation platform2
Discuss the parameters of the regional observatory for e-agriculture innovations for stakeholders and family farms and e-agriculture policies
Validate the review of the e-agriculture strategy guide for the region.
Expected outputs:
Clear value proposition for a new platform
Criteria for selection and data management of agricultural innovations
Scope, parameters of the platform, and means of collaboration with other relevant platforms and networks defined
Initial collection of case studies and good practices (entries)
Regional e-agriculture network with redefined scope, mandate, mode of operation, sustainability
Regional observatory for e-agriculture innovations for stallholders and family farms and e-agriculture policies with redefined criteria for data collection and management
e-agriculture strategy guide for the region commented and revised
Objectives by sessions
Session 1: Setting the scene
Setting up the scene within a broader enabling environment context:
Present and discuss the status of the farms in the region
Present and discuss the status of the AISs, including research and extension
Present the FAO experience capitalization approach
Discuss the innovation needs of the smallholders and family farmers in Europe and Central Asia
Session 2: Criteria identification
Session objectives: This session shall bring back the focus to the FAO membership request to FAO to collect and share information on innovations for smallholders and family farms, and policy/strategies. Therefore, taking into account the broader innovation needs identified in the previous session, this one will focus on defining criteria on innovations for family farms and data collection, validation and management
Session 3: Challenges of innovation for smallholders and family farms
The objective of this session is to define specific information challenges to innovation for smallholders and family farms in the region- knowledge, technological, economic and social. The session comprises of a few stimulating presentations and work group discussions.
The audience will break in 5 groups ensuring cross fertilization between different countries, regions and backgrounds
Session 4. Relevant platforms and networks (Carousel)
The session will present the platforms and identify which regional needs and information challenges those platforms/networks address and what are the information gaps still unaddressed.
Session 5. Clear value proposition for a new regional platform
The objective of the session is to discuss identified information gaps from the previous session on information and finding solutions.
Session 6: E-agriculture network and observatory
The session will aim at strengthening the regional e-agriculture network and support the innovation platform while discussing the parameters of the regional observatory for e-agriculture innovations for smallholders and family farms and e-agriculture policies. The e-agriculture experts are expected to review the e-agriculture strategy guide and propose amendments with respect to the needs in the region.
1Invited country experts will be requested to participate in a survey prior the consultation
2Refers to the ECA recommendation for a regional knowledge sharing platform for innovations, applicable for smallholders and family farms in Europe and Central Asia
Programme
Day 1 : Monday 10 September | ||
09.00 - 09.30 | Registration with coffee | |
09.30 - 09.40 | Opening session | Istvan Szabo, St Istvan University, vice rector for international relations Morten Hartvigsen, FAO Land Tenure Officer, RI1 manager |
09.40 – 09.55 | Objectives of the presentation | Nevena Alexandrova-Stefanova, FAO Sophie Treinen, FAO |
09.55 – 10.25 | Presentation of participants | Sophie Treinen, FAO |
10.25 – 11.40 | Session 1: Setting the scene Panel discussion | Nevena Alexandrova-Stefanova, FAO |
Status of the family farms in the region; FAO Regional Initiative 1: regional study on family farms | Morten Hartvigsen, FAO | |
Regional update on the status of AKIS | Cosmin Salasan, Banat University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine | |
FAO regional studies on national AISs: conclusions and recommendations | Andrew Fieldsend, AKI and Jahan Kurbanova, FAO | |
FAO Experience capitalization approach | Sophie Treinen FAO | |
11.40-12.00 | Coffee Break + Group picture | |
12.00 – 12.10 | Session 2: Criteria identification | Pre-survey |
12.10 – 12.20 | Paper on innovation criteria for smallholders and family farms | Andrew Fieldsend, AKI |
12.20-12.30 | Laszlo Gabor Papocsi, GAK | |
12.30 – 12.40 | Laszlo Papocsi, GAK Mihaly Csoto, NUPS | |
12.40-13.00 | Questions and answers | |
13.00 – 14.00 | Lunch | |
Day 1 : Monday 10 September | ||
14.00-15.00 | Session 3: Challenges of innovation for smallholders and family farms | Facilitator: Pal Goda, DRDC |
Knowledge challenge Bringing about innovation and change requires no longer a single source of information and technology but a collective intelligence involving collaboration between different knowledge sources. The ability to use knowledge to innovate is emerging as a new source of comparative advantage, replacing the traditional importance of natural resource endowments as a source of competitiveness. The session will focus on the information requirements related to the knowledge sharing among the multiple actors. | ||
Anita Teringer, ITStudy | ||
Study on the global research topics in the field of family farms and smallholder agriculture. | Tomaz Bartol, University of Ljubljana | |
Petrit Dobi, RASP | ||
Group discussion | ||
15.00-15.45 | Technological challenge The session will focus on the information requirements related to the technological innovations and discuss whether emerging and available technologies can add value to small and family farm holdings in Europe and Central Asia; can they can be harnessed to serve smallholders’ needs and multifunctional aspects such as sustainable food systems, climate smart agriculture, bioeconomy and Food 2030 agenda? How? | |
Ararat valley in grape field innovations | VahanAmirkhanyan, FAO | |
Hand planter | Istvan Feher, SzIU | |
Challenges and dealing with them in small family farms in the Republic of Macedonia. | Andrea Sokolovski, National Extension Agency | |
Group discussion | ||
15.45 – 16.00 | Coffee break | |
Day 1 : Monday 10 September | ||
16.00- 16.45 | Economic challenge This session will focus on the information requirements related to the economic aspects of the innovations in agriculture: are the innovations affordable for smallholders and family farms; can they generate sufficient revenue to counter initial inputs? How to realize efficiency gains along the value chains and within the food systems? | |
Smart insect trap – cheap solutions using mobile devices for useful agricultural functions | Laszlo Gabor Papocsi, GAK | |
Innovation for family farming / Food sovereignty and Agroecology are the adequate framework to develop innovations for family farming | Andrea Ferrante, CSO representative | |
Group discussion | ||
16.45-17.30 | Social challenge The session will focus on the information requirements related to the increasingly interconnected scenario of innovating with its multiple interest groups that contributes to the increasing pace of change. It is a non-linear approach that leads to a faster transmission of ideas to a wider set of interactions that now exists between markets, policies and technologies. | |
Petrit Dobi, RASP | ||
Andrew Fieldsend, AKI | ||
Pal Goda, DRDC | ||
Group discussion | ||
17.30 -17.40 | Conclusion of the day | |
18:00 – 21.00 | Social dinner | |
Day 2 : Tuesday 11 September 2018 Facilitated by Pal Goda | ||
9.00-9.10 | Introduction of the day | |
9.10- 10.50 | Group work presentations | |
10.50 – 11.05 | Coffee Break | |
11.05 – 13.00 | Session 4. Relevant platforms and networks Carousel Poster | Facilitator: Pal Goda |
Round 1 | Cosmin Salasan, SEASN | |
Pacome Eyenga, EIP | ||
Sophie Treinen, FAO | ||
Arman Manukyan, | ||
Sonia Ricardo Diaz, FAO | ||
TAPIPEDIA | ||
Round for the presenters | Questions for the groups will reply to the questions while presenters discover the other posters | What were the commonalties, specificities of each network |
Round 2 | Botir Dosov, FAO | |
Alisher Tashmatov, CACAARI | ||
CACILM | Makhmud Shaumarov, FAO | |
Mathe Akos, HERB | ||
| Land Portal Foundation | Carlos Tejo, Land Portal Foundation | |
Round for the presenters | Questions for the groups | What were the commonalties, specificities of each network |
Restitutions of group findings | ||
Francesco Pierri, FAO (skype) | ||
13.00-14.00 | Lunch break | |
14.00- 15.15 | World Café Discussion To identify which regional needs and information challenges those platforms/networks address and what are the information gaps still unaddressed | World café 5 WGs |
15.15-15.30 | Coffee break | Preparation of WG results |
Day 2 : Tuesday 11 September 2018 Facilitated by Pal Goda | ||
15.30 – 16.00 | Results of the World Cafe | Presenters of the WG Reporting: Jelena Gajic, SzIU |
16.00-17.00 | Session 5. Clear value proposition for a new regional platform Discussion on the criteria, scope and sustainability of the platform Identify the possibilities for cooperation and conclude on the way forward | |
17.00 – 17.15 | Conclusion of the day | reporters |
Free evening | ||
Day 3 : Wednesday 12 September 2018 | ||
9.00 - 9.10 | Introduction of the day | Sophie Treinen, FAO Reporting: Petrit Dobi, RASP |
9.10 – 9.30 | Session 6: E-agriculture network and observatory Linked Open Data and other Semantic Web technologies in e-agriculture and e-governance, the experience of the Land Portal | Carlos Tejo, Land Portal Foundation |
9.30 – 9.50 | Regional open and linked data sources in agriculture | Marcel Kovac, WeAReNet |
9.50 – 10.20 | Discussion | |
10.20 – 10.50 | Coffee break | |
10.50 -11.10 | Regional review of e-agriculture status based on referenced data and the readiness index, background and proposal for the observatory | Mihaly Csoto, NUPS |
11.10 – 11.20 | Online query interface pilot demonstration of the regional indicator database | Laszlo Gabor Papocsi, GAK |
11.20 – 12.30 | Questions and answers Agreement on technical aspects of using the platform and using data about innovations and e-agriculture status | Group work |
12.30 – 13.30 | Lunch | |
13.30 – 13.50 | Other FAO REU ongoing activities in e-agriculture. Calls for good practices, Gender and ICTs publication, strategy guides | Sophie Treinen, FAO |
13.50– 14.35 | The role of ITU in national sectoral strategies for digital applications Q&A | Hani Eskandar, ITU (skype) |
14.35 – 14.55 | Experience from developing the Russian version of the e-agriculture strategy guide | Botir Dosov, FAO consultant |
14.55 – 15.15 | Review of the summary paper for Europe | Sophie Treinen, FAO |
Day 3 : Wednesday 12 September 2018 | ||
15.15 – 15.45 | The process of developing national Digital Agriculture Strategy, the example of Hungary With translation | Peter Varga, Federation of IT Entrepreneurs |
15.45 – 16.00 | Digital strategy for the Netherlands | Geert Kits Nieuwenkamp, Agricultural Counsellor Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands |
16.00 – 16.15 | Coffee break and Q&A | |
16.15 – 17.30 | Market place Identification of cases from the region to illustrate the benefits of the strategic approach |
|
| The process of developing national Digital Agriculture Strategy, the example of Hungary | Peter Varga, Federation of IT Entrepreneurs | |
| Digital strategy for the Netherlands | Geert Kits Nieuwenkamp, Agricultural Counsellor Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands | |
| Caterina SANTACHIARA, Abaco | ||
| Zoltan Erdei, ZANE | ||
17.30 – 17.40 | Recap of the day | |
Free evening | ||
Day 4 : Thursday 13 September 2018 | ||
9.00 – 9.10 | Recap of previous day | Sophie Treinen, FAO Reporting : Mihaly Csoto, NUPS |
9.10 – 10.10 | Matching results of market place to strategy | Group work World café |
10.10 – 11.00 | Reviewing the guide with findings related the digital transformation of agriculture for small holders | |
11.00 – 11.20 | Coffee break | |
11.20 – 12.10 | Continuation of carousel with action points | |
12.10 – 12.40 | Restitution of group work and results And way forward | |
12.40 – 13.00 | Closing | Next steps |
13.00 – 14.00 | Lunch | |
14.00 – 15.00 | Pictures - Cleaning | |
15.00 – 17.00 | Visit of Gödöllő Royal Palace | |
Presentations
Introduction and objectives / Nevena Alexandrova-Stefanova, FAO
Objectives of the presentation: / Sophie Treinen, FAO
Paper on innovation criteria for smallholders and family farms. / Andrew Fieldsend, AKI
Short summary of the pre-workshop survey / Laszlo Gabor Papocsi, GAK
Paper on data collection, validation and management / Laszlo Papocsi, GAK / Mihaly Csoto, NUPS
BalkanMed Innova project / Petrit Dobi, RASP
Bond (social capital) H2020 project / Petrit Dobi, RASP
Interactive innovation approaches / Andrew Fieldsend, AKI
Social innovation in discovery research project / Pal Goda, DRDC
Data Interoperability: The Land Portal experience of open data management / Carlos Tejo, Land Portal
Innovation for family farming / Food sovereignty and Agroecology are the adequate framework to develop innovations for family farming / Andrea Ferrante
Posters
SEASN – South and Eastern European Advisors network / Cosmin Salasan, SEASN
EIP-AGRI (Agricultural European Innovation Partnership) / Pacome Eyenga, EIP
e-Agriculture community of practice / Sophie Treinen, FAO
GFRAS –CACFRAS / Botir Dosov, FAO
CACAARI / Alisher Tashmatov, CACAARI
Medicinal Aromatic Plants / Mathe Akos, HERB
Land Portal Foundation / Carlos Tejo, Land Portal Foundation
TECA - Agricultural technologies and practice / Karin Nichterlein, FAO
Papers
Video
Comittee
Committee
- Nevena Alexandrova-Stefanova, UN FAO Agricultural Innovation Systems and Knowledge Sharing Officer Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia
- Sophie Treinen, Information and Knowledge Management Officer Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- Laszlo Papocsi, organizer
- Marcel Kováč, organizer
- Mihaly Csoto, e-agriculture expert
- Cosmin Salasan, AKIS expert
- Attila Nagy, farm advisor
- Klara Biszkup, event organizing specialist
Practical info
Practical info
Venue: St. Istvan University, Museum of Agricultural Machinery, Knowledge Transfer Centre ((in Hungarian: Tudástranszfer Központ), Entrance "C" 2nd Floor, Room Nr. TK 232, 2100 Gödöllő, Páter Károly út 1., online map: goo.gl/maps/ugyaSkcG5J32
Date: 10-13 September, 2018. The official program starts on Monday at 09.00 with registration, and ends on Thursday approx. at 14.00 with lunch.
Accommodation: in the guest rooms of the University, located in the main Campus of Godollo, appr. 150 meters from the venue of the event, in building „B” of the student dormitory, rooms will be on the 4th floor, dedicated for visiting guests. Find map below and refer to letter „B”.
Flight transfers: we will provide transfer for all participants who received the flight tickets from us. On request we can also discuss transfer needs of other participants, please contact below.
Our driver will show up a FAO logo on your arrival to the welcome area. In case of delay, or any other problem not finding each other, you can call the chief driver: +36 20 388 1832
Meals: breakfast and dinner in Mensa Bistro restaurant (http://www.mensabistro.hu/), lunch in Alma Mater restaurant. Vouchers for breakfast and dinner will be provided for each participants according to their stay, lunch we will visit together. Breakfast is at 8.am sharp, dinner in the evening, time is more flexible to be attended.
Dinner on Saturday/Sunday: Ms Klara Biszkup, our travel organizer will go to Mensabistro restaurant and will provide meal vouchers to those already arrived.
Social dinner: will be at Babat farm (https://www.facebook.com/pg/1615670308716469/) of the university on Monday evening (transport together by bus, after the end of Day 1). In case of cool weather bring warm clothes for the carriage riding.
Facultative programs:
Tuesday evening: Budapest. Free bus transfer will be provided from 18h leaving, 23h arriving back to Godollo. Please indicate your interest at the registration desk on Monday morning, if you would like to use our transfer. Those coming to Budapest are free to arrange their dinner by their wish (at their own cost).
Thursday afternoon: Godollo Royal Palace. Please also indicate your interest.
Contacts:
Local organizer of the program: Laszlo Papocsi, +36 30 515 2832, lpapocsi@gmail.com
Travel organizer: Klara Biszkup, +36 30 922 9680, biszkup@altagra.hu
Transfers (chief driver, English speaking): Karoly Hodi, +36 20 388 1832
Main contact of WeAreNet: Marcel Kovac, info@wearenet.eu
Websites:
Regional Expert ConsultationMAP of the university: http://sziu.hu/sites/default/files/images/Campus_map_ang.jpg
Number 2. is the venue of the event, letter B is accommodation, basement of letter A is breakfast and dinner, number 12. is lunch.
- Participants are kindly requested to
- indicate their special menu preference no later than 31 August 2018.
- bring their own laptop, network access keys will be given on the spot.
Contact persons:
Mr Laszlo Papocsi,WeAreNet, organizer
E-mail: lpapocsi@gmail.comTel: + 36 30 515 2832
Ms Ludmilla Vorobej, FAO REU Programme Assistant
E-mail: Ludmilla.Vorobej@fao.org
Mr. Marcel Kováč, WeAreNet, organizer
E-mail: info@wearenet.eu, Tel.: +421 905 260 423
FAO officer in charge:
Ms Nevena Alexandrova, UN FAO Agricultural Innovation Systems and Knowledge Sharing OfficerRegional Office for Europe and Central Asia
E-mail:.Nevena.Alexandrova@fao.org
FAO Office: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Kossuth Lajos ter 11, Room 422, H-1055 Budapest, Hungary.