The AIS 2019 was co-organised by the French Ministry of agriculture and food, the association Régions de France, the Region of Normandy, the EIP-AGRI network and the European Commission.
The event brought together over 400 participants from 25 countries in Europe involved in innovation in agriculture and forestry. Farmers, advisors, researchers, policy makers, and other actors exchanged their experiences and gained new knowledge on agro-ecological transitions as well as discussed future policy changes supporting innovation in agriculture and forestry. The event enabled knowledge exchange on technical and social innovations for agro-ecological transitions promoted by the EIP-AGRI (Operational Groups supported under the Common Agricultural Policy and the Multi-Actor projects funded by the Horizon 2020 EU Research and Innovation Programme).
The following key questions were discussed in a set of workshops to which over 100 poster presentations of H2020 Multi-Actor projects (including UNISECO) and of Operational Groups provided context and stimulation:
- How to reduce the use of inputs as a way to increase the self-sufficiency of farms?
- What kind of production systems are needed for the sustainable management of natural resources?
- How can agroecology be better integrated within the value chain and with consumers, citizens and the local area?
Eight interesting field visits were organised. UNISECO participated in the visit of the project GIEE Biodiversité: Economic and Environmental Interest Grouping “Biodiversity to raise farmers’ awareness about good practices and gain a better understanding of ecosystem services”.
The project brings together the skills of beekeepers, farmers and academics to foster the presence of auxiliary and pollinator insects. This is achieved by adding specific landscape features in farmed areas such as melliferous flower strips, in relation with other landscape features such as hedges. More information about this project can be found (in French) here.
More information about all eight field visits can be found here.
More information about the AIS 2019 can be found at the official site of the event.
Further readings: