In September a demo-version of the EU FarmBook was presented to the SCAR-AKIS Strategic Working Group (SWG). The SWG focuses on improvements of the functioning of knowledge and innovation systems in agriculture, agri-food sectors and the bioeconomy. Contributing to better interconnection, synergies and partnerships among all EU AGRI actors and stakeholders is a high priority for the SWG. The group consists mainly of agricultural policy makers and representatives of agricultural research institutes and universities.
15. September project coordinator, Dr Pieter Spanoghe, was invited to present a test-version of the EU FarmBook. In the presentation, he revealed the first live demo of the EU FarmBook (https://demo.eufarmbook.eu/) as well as a user guide for submitting knowledge objects via the platform’s current upload form – a feature intended for members of other multi-actor projects who wish to contribute their project’s outputs to be stored in the FarmBook. Pieter says of the meeting:
“It was a very fruitful meeting. The Strategic Working Group is excited about the idea of a knowledge database that gathers all research results from EU projects related to agriculture, forestry and rural development and the fact, that the database is built based on the FAIR principles (guidelines for good data sharing practices), in order to be able to deliver digital content from various digital repositories in a uniform way. We need to ensure that farmers, foresters, advisors and other practitioners have access to practical agricultural knowledge in the long term – knowledge that is generated by multi-actor projects supported by the European Commission”.
Excitement from DG AGRI
At the latest SCAR-AKIS SWG meeting 24. November, Inge Van Oost from DG AGRI supported the importance and relevance of making at EU level an increasing volume of practice-oriented knowledge easy accessible, interactive and attractive. She emphasized among others the importance to advisors - notably addressing the needs of the so-called “back-office” advisory activities that support “front-office” advisory services - including innovation support; the relevance to the “innovation strand” of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) networks; the interoperability between member States and the great features / multi-functionality that the EU FarmBook pilot platform offers.
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FACT BOX
SCAR (Standing Committee on Agricultural Research) / AKIS (Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation Systems). Read more about the SCAR-AKIS SWG
The CAP network was launched in 1962, the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) is a partnership between agriculture and society, and between Europe and its farmers. It aims to:
support farmers and improve agricultural productivity, ensuring a stable supply of affordable food;
- safeguard European Union farmers to make a reasonable living;
- help tackle climate change and the sustainable management of natural resources;
- maintain rural areas and landscapes across the EU;
- keep the rural economy alive by promoting jobs in farming, agri-food industries and associated sectors.
Read more about the CAP network: https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/key-policies/common-agricultural-policy/cap-glance_en
