What was the challenge/problem addressed?
Salad or “Baby” potatoes are a growing consumer segment (approx. 7-10% + year on year). A joint industry plan involving Teagasc (as the lead), the Irish Farmers Association and Bord Bia set about increasing Irish production (target 50%) thereby achieving import substitution. The programme addressed technical production problems by farmers and also market access issues. After the three year programme, production is estimated to have increased by over 200% from approx. 3,000t/ per year to over 7,000t in 2018.
What are the success factors in solving the problem?
-co-operation of farmers and farmer co-operation
-use of research to allow innovation exploration at no cost to the farmers
-on farm demo by commercial farmer
What were the main challenges during the innovation process?
-getting market acceptance
-overcoming preconceived ideas of what was possible
-specific machinery to achieve a robust and efficient system
What role does the advisor or advisory service play with the practical case?
Knowledge awareness and exchange, Advisory, consultancy and backstopping aimed at solving complex problems, to be provided during the innovation process and based on demands of actors and the co-construction of solutions, Networking facilitation and brokerage, to help organize or strengthen networks, improve the relationships between key actors and to align services in order to be able to complement each other, Capacity building, aimed at increasing innovation actors’ capacities in order to play their roles in the innovation process, Scaling up the innovation to increase the uptake by a broader group
For sharing experience of the practical case, please contact
Michael Hennessy
michael.hennessy@teagasc.ie 00353874158385