What was the challenge/problem addressed?

The general challenge is the lack of objective field experiments suitable for practical cultivation. Every farmer needs to know, how to get the most out of the yield potential of suitable varieties. In Finland official field experiments are done only in a few places. The success of the harvested yield depends on multiple factors that can be very complex and locally specific. This is why the experiments and tests need to be done in the actual farmer’s fields, where the results are planned to be implemented.

Hoe heb je het probleem opgelost??

Three local farmers, Kari Alasaari, (who is also an advisor), Lauri Hantula and Jouko Hyvärinen started the farm-level testing together: in the 2020 growing season, barley and wheat varieties were tested to find the best ones for their own farm conditions. Through joint experimentation, they are looking for the best solutions for their specific needs, which may not be directly applicable to everyone. The three farmers have created an effective network between their facilities. In the farm level there is a continuous call for unbiased, non-commercial testing.

Because the farm-level testing needs to be easy and cost-effective, the group ended up to develop a double square -method, which does not require any major investment in new equipment or very precise and costly measuring methods.

Wat is innovatief in jouw praktijkgeval?

Innovation is the unbiased, local and joint field experiment method: Within a network of farmers, agreeing the varieties and products that are most interesting to test (also the most common varieties, not only the newest), running the tests in different fields, comparing the results and choosing the optimal varieties to be cultivated locally. As the field experiments are done together, it makes it possible to create multiple experiments at the same time and the results are achieved a lot faster. Also the risk of not receiving results from a failed experiment is minimized by doing the same experiment in different places, which again is possible by experimenting together.

The simple farm-level testing is done by using double squires, where you compare the results of two side by side cultivation areas and choose the more successful one to be more applied in the future.

Wat zijn de succesfactoren bij het oplossen van het probleem??

Willingness, trust and shared understanding of what can be achieved by joining the efforts of different farms together and what kind of actions it requires from the different farmers. Open-minded and motivating work from the farmer and some coaching from the advisor to keep the group together and active.

Les geleerd

You don’t need complex scientific methods or large experimental fields. All you need is to start with a few varieties by sowing a few squares or strips in the field. Do the same for each square and compare the crops over the summer. Measure the yield with combine, yield monitor or scale to see how the varieties are yielding. In a nutshell, this is what the double square method is all about.

What role does the advisor or advisory service play with the practical case?

In this case one of the farmers is also an advisor and thus very closely involved in every step of the innovation process. From an advisor perspective his unofficial role is to represent the group to a larger community networking them and this way opening new possibilities for new ideas and innovations to emerge. During the development phase of the double square innovation process he was also oriented towards developing the group dynamics and co-creation atmosphere of the group and this way helped the group to overcome challenges. Als resultaat, “The Trio” was more receptive to make tough decisions for example the compromise to allow multiple measuring methods at the cost of not receiving more accurate results but being able to continue the work with minimum investment. The advisor’s basic mind-set, that all farmers have relevant and useful thoughts to develop farming, and that many know more than one, made it possible for the group to innovate and to develop this method that has helped them all.

Kan jouw aanpak worden overgedragen en/of aangepast voor andere innovatie-uitdagingen en regio's??

Ja

Geschatte overdraagbaarheid op een schaal van 1 naar 5

(waar 1 is gemakkelijk en 5 erg moeilijk)

1

 

Voor het delen van de ervaringen met de goede praktijken, Neem contact op

Kari Alasaari

kari@alasaari.net, +358400466269

Link to external information

https://www.proagria.fi/ajankohtaista/tuplaruudulla-parhaat-lajikkeet-omille-peltolohkoille