Good Practice - Project
Let's talk about Maize
Producing videos to enable maize producers in Portugal to connect, share knowledge and exchange experiences in order to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness.
General information
RDP Measure
- M20: Technical assistance
Beneficiary type
- Producer group / cooperative / farmer’s association
Summary
Maize is one of Portugal’s most important arable crops, playing a vital role in the national economy and the agri-food sector. It contributes significantly right across the value chain, strengthening agriculture, agro-industries and rural communities both upstream and downstream. However, to be sustainable, cereal production in Portugal must remain competitive in the coming years.
ANPROMIS serves as a central hub for maize and sorghum producers and their organisations. It actively engages in discussions and supports proposals concerning all matters that affect production. To highlight maize’s importance in the agricultural sector and showcase existing innovations, ANPROMIS produced 19 videos featuring its members, enabling producers to connect, share knowledge, and exchange experiences.
Results
- In less than six months, these videos have gained significant traction, gathering around 3 000 views to date.
Promoter
ANPROMIS
Funding
RDP support: 36 366 (EUR)
Ressources
Context
Maize is one of Portugal's most important arable crops. It is cultivated both for grain production and for silage used in animal feed. It stands as a prime example of the productive potential of Portuguese irrigated agriculture. As a result, maize plays a significant role in the national economy and the agri-food sector, contributing across the value chain, strengthening agro-industry and rural communities across the country.
Aside from organising events such as congresses, seminars and meetings, the activities of ANPROMIS (the national association of maize and sorghum producers) include: the production and promotion of industry-related publications; the facilitation of discussions concerning sector challenges and opportunities; and the monitoring and analysis of agricultural policy instruments. In addition to this, ANPROMIS advocates at the European level for the interests of maize and sorghum producers by shaping strategies within CEPM—the European Confederation of Maize Producers.
Objectives
Given the urgent need for Portuguese cereal production to become even more competitive and sustainable in the coming years, the main aim of this project was to disseminate technical, economic and organisational information for developing the agricultural, agri-food and forestry sectors, and for improving the management of water, fertilisers and pesticides.
Activities
Project activities carried out by ANPROMIS included:
- Producing 11 five-minute videos showcasing various producer organisations (all ANPROMIS partners) who emphasise the importance of maize, Portugal's main arable crop, and the strong dynamics within their sector.
- Creating 8 more videos featuring maize producers sharing their knowledge and experience.
Main results
- These videos successfully demonstrate the importance of maize in the agricultural sector in Portugal and the innovations that exist in this field.
- Six months after their release, the videos were still attracting a lot of attention, with around 3 000 views to date.
Key lessons
- This way of sharing information is highly valued by farmers, since they have little possibility of travelling to visit farms in person.
- Additionally, having the producer oversee the interview facilitates the exchange of information and experience, as they share a common language with the target audience.
Tiago Silva Pinto