Supporting Innovation in Organic Agriculture: A European Perspective Using Experience from the SOLID Project



View results in:
https://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/sar/article/view/50098/26954
Type: 
journal article
Journal: 
Sustainable Agriculture Research
Number: 
3
Pages: 
32-41
Volume: 
4
Year: 
2015
Author(s): 
Padel, S.
Vaarst, M.
Zaralis, K.
Description: 

Organic farming is recognized as one source for innovation helping agriculture to develop sustainably. However, the understanding of innovation in agriculture is characterized by technical optimism, relying mainly on new inputs and technologies originating from research. The paper uses the alternative framework of innovation systems describing innovation as the outcome of stakeholder interaction and examples from the SOLID (Sustainable Organic Low-Input Dairying) project to discuss the role of farmers, researchers and knowledge exchange for innovation. The authors used a farmer-led participatory approach to identify problems of organic and low-input dairy farming in Europe and develop and evaluate innovative practices. 

Publication year: 
2015