Inspirational ideas: Knowledge platforms helping advisers catalyse innovation

Innovation is essential for the agricultural sector to maintain competitive food production and vibrant rural areas. Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) are key to help farmers and rural communities deal with their challenges. A well-functioning AKIS includes advisers to foster knowledge sharing and innovation. Knowledge platforms collecting relevant information at both national and European level, play a key role. 

“All Horizon 2020 Multi-Actor projects and Thematic Networks, as well as Operational Groups funded under the EU rural development policy produce, collect and share a wide variety of practical information for farmers and foresters. Unfortunately, it is sometimes hard to find these materials, as they are scattered or even lost, especially after projects have ended. Therefore, we need a sustainable, open-access platform at European level where these materials are easy to find, in an understandable, preferably local, language”, explains Sylvia Burssens. She is working at the Ghent University and involved in the H2020 projects EURAKNOS and EUREKA.

National knowledge platforms also play a key role in a well-functioning AKIS. Sylvia: “These platforms understand the local needs and can also make an inventory of outputs of networks and projects at local, regional, and national levels. If these databases can connect through an EU wide platform we can create more impact for innovation in agriculture. To make them interoperable however, the IT language and standards should be made compatible.”

Lithuania is one of the Member States developing a national innovation platform. The Lithuanian Agricultural Advisory Service (LAAS) has created TITRIS to collect all the results from innovation projects of Lithuania and other relevant information in one place. Gintare Kucinskiene, Head of Innovation Support Service in LAAS, explains: “We started the EIP-AGRI Operational Group ‘Gate of Innovations` in 2019. This has led to the establishment of TITRIS, which stands for the Applied Innovation Research and Results Information System. Using TITRIS, advisers can find up-to-date information to show farmers and foresters concrete potential benefits of specific innovations. This will also help to create transparency on all Lithuanian and international projects’ outcomes.” 

“TITRIS is a free, open source system in both Lithuanian and English. All the information that we receive from farmers, researchers and project leaders is reviewed by impartial specialists and advisers. They give feedback and then it is translated into English by a professional language editor. As well as being trustworthy, the information must be clear, concise, and have the potential to be directly applied in practice”, concludes Gintare.

So, what are the benefits for the advisory community if national platforms like TITRIS are connected to an EU-wide platform? Sylvia: ”First, advisers and farmers across Europe will easily be able to find the latest information fast. They can download training modules and contact the experts in their field in the entire European Union. Secondly, it will allow them to get in touch with their peers from other Member States, and help them to enlarge their network. Finally, the link with the education system, especially vocational schools and lifelong training programmes is also essential. These educational institutions can use the newest materials, outputs of European and national projects, to train the advisers, students, and farmers of tomorrow.” 

If you would like to disseminate this inspirational idea in your own network, please have a look at the full press article, which includes a shorter version and pictures.