Research needs from practice 2024
The 'Research needs from practice 2024' report presents 96 research needs from practice.
This report follows the previous ‘Research needs from practice’ report published in March 2025, which covered 82 research needs from practice. It was prepared by the Support Facility for Innovation & Knowledge Exchange | EIP-AGRI.
The report presents 96 research needs from practice as the outcome of three EU CAP Network Focus Groups (FG), three workshops, and one seminar that took place between November 2023 and June 2024, including the three Focus Groups on 'Regenerative agriculture for soil health', ‘Crop associations including Milpa and protein crops’ and 'Competitive and resilient mountain areas'. It also includes the workshops on ‘Circular water management’, ‘Women-led innovations in agriculture and rural areas’, ‘Promoting pollinator-friendly farming’, and the EU CAP Network seminar ‘Skills and lifelong learning for agricultural advisory and training service providers’.
Four key reasons to gather research needs from practice
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.
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.
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.
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.
Definition of a “research need from practice”
- A challenge faced by professionals in farming, forestry and rural sectors (such as farmers, foresters, advisers) that may be addressed through multi-actor research or innovative projects, such as EIP-AGRI OGs.
- A potential solution, method or new approach identified by a farmer, forester or adviser, or other relevant rural actor, including those in agribusiness, which requires further development, research or refinement for broader implementation.
- New knowledge, technology or inventions discovered by a farmer, forester, adviser, or any other relevant rural actor, including those in agribusiness or non-food sectors, which could benefit from research or innovation to improve, commercialise, or adapt it for broader application.