Qual è stata la sfida/problema affrontato?

Dati 2008 the collapse of prices in the olive oil and citrus markets made olive and citrus growers in Chania to focus to a relatively new crop in Crete. The cultivation of avocado had introduced in 1970s but its adoption had been marginal since most growers were reluctant to abandon traditional and profitable cultivations order to adopt a new one, the demand of which was low. tuttavia, nel 2008 this situation changed, triggering an explosion in the demand for healthy propagation material of avocado varieties that were well-adapted locally and high marketable. Da allora, estimations refer to a rapid expansion of cultivated with avocado areas even in marginal areas.

Come hai risolto il problema?

Successful avocado production requires careful selection of the location to establish the plantation: certain types of microclimates, soils, and high-quality irrigation water. It also requires specific growing methods (planting, irrigation, pruning, protection of bark from sunburn etc), which depend on the cultivar used. inoltre, the establishment of the new crop required the creation of a production and marketing chain that would take advantage of the opportunities offered by the global markets to ensure higher prices and income for growers. Growers were actively seeking for advice and guidance, which challenged the ability of the established AKIS actors to successfully meet these demands. This weakness owes to the degradation and eventually the abolition of the public extension service, leading to the current weak and fragmented AKIS in the country. Under such circumstances, the growers participated in informal networks within which they exchanged knowledge and practices based on their experimentation. In parallel, advisors who are also cultivators created informal networks and information provision/ training opportunities for interested farmers.

Cosa c'è di innovativo nel tuo pratico caso?

It is a technical, market and social / organizational innovation since the introduction of the new crop implies novel technical and managerial knowledge and practices as described above and, in parallel, the construction of networks providing access to such new knowledge/practices and markets. The Social/organizational aspect of the innovation concerns a) the creation of informal farmers’ networks, b) the emergence and critical role of hybrid actors (that is agronomists who were avocado growers themselves) and c) informal stakeholders’ networks.

Quali sono i fattori di successo nella risoluzione del problema?

Two important factors can be distinguished: First, avocado growers were involved in peer-to -peer exchanges largely based on their own on-farm experimentation. Second, a small number of pioneering agronomists (employed in both the public and private sectors), who were avocado growers themselves, played a critical role in organizing formal (per esempio. cooperative) and informal networks and events to support avocado cultivators.

Lezioni imparate

Peer-to- peer exchanges among farmers is a valuable tool for new knowledge and best practices dissemination. tuttavia, relying only on farmers’ experimentation/ experiential knowledge may not be enough, especially in cases of totally new crops. Perciò, building active networks including various stakeholders, especially independent advisors and researchers, in all stages of an innovation process, is a critical factor in avoiding (extensive) crop failures.

Che ruolo gioca il consulente o il servizio di consulenza nel caso pratico??

Hybrid actors (agronomists – avocado cultivators), coming from both the public and private sectors, were active in a) organic farming coop which assists avocado producers, b) informal networking with farmers, c) organising informal events (mainly lectures) to familiarize farmers with aspects of the avocado cultivation and d) informal networking (lobbying) at the local and regional authorities to support avocado growers.

Hybrid actors were the most respected sources of knowledge who nevertheless act beyond their official duties and, given the lack of research and data, were not able to cover diverse farmers’ needs.

 

Il tuo approccio può essere trasferito e/o adattato per altre sfide e regioni dell'innovazione??

sì

Trasferibilità stimata su una scala da 1 a 5

(dove 1 è facile e 5 molto difficile)

1

 

La tempistica è fondamentale per terminare il raccolto di copertura e la disponibilità di piegatrici a rulli potrebbe rappresentare un collo di bottiglia, Per qualsiasi domanda e richiesta sulle prossime classi di eccellenza

Eleni Zarokosta

elenazarokosta@aua.gr

Collegamento a informazioni esterne

 

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/1389224X.2021.2012215?needAccess=true