Research needs from practice 2023

This draft report follows the previous ‘Research needs from practice’ report published on September 7 2023, which covered 122 research needs from practice. It was prepared by the Support Facility for Innovation & Knowledge Exchange | EIP-AGRI.

The current draft report presents 82 research needs from practice as the outcome of three EU CAP Network Focus Groups (FG), three workshops, and one seminar that occurred in the period between November 2022 and June 2023, including the three Focus Groups on 'Enhancing the biodiversity on farmland through high-diversity landscape features', 'Social farming and innovations' and 'Recovery of abandoned agricultural lands'. It also includes the EU CAP Network Seminar 'Smart circular farming to address high energy and fertiliser prices', the EU CAP Network Workshop ‘Enhancing food security under changing weather patterns: farm adaptation’, the EU CAP Network Workshop Innovative arable crop protection - using pesticides sustainably, and the EU CAP Network Workshop 'Animal Welfare and Innovation'.

Four key reasons to gather research needs from practice

1. Insight into emerging issues: practitioners often encounter new problems and challenges in agriculture. Engaging directly with them allows researchers to gain insights into the most urgent issues requiring attention.
2. Understanding practical realities: practitioners possess deep insights into the practical aspects of agriculture and the factors influencing decision-making. Their input is essential to ensure that research findings are translated into effective and feasible solutions.
3. Efficient resource allocation: By focusing on practitioners' needs, researchers can avoid wasting time and resources on projects that do not address pressing challenges. This leads to a more efficient and effective use of public funds.
4. Building trust and collaboration: Gathering research needs from practice helps build trust between researchers and practitioners. When practitioners see that their concerns are being addressed, they are more likely to collaborate with and support researchers, fostering a collaborative and productive research environment.