Qual foi o desafio/problema abordado?
Why do organic piglets, despite their higher weaning age, eat less around weaning than conventional piglets?
An inventory of improvement paths to optimize the composition and palatability of organic weaner feed is made. The formulated and produced organic weaner feeds are tested on the participating pig farms. Also the critical points and success factors/good practices regarding weaner management on organic farms are mapped out.
By implementing specific improvement paths in weaner feed composition and by addressing critical factors in weaner management, organic pig farmers will be able to wean their piglets more efficiently.
See: https://www.varkensloket.be/biologische-varkenshouderij/BioBIG
Quais são os fatores de sucesso na resolução do problema?
– Continued active participation of the pig farmers during the project
– Pig farmers’ perception of the specific problem definition (palatability of weaning feed). During the project it became clear that the problem (too low feed intake and too high drop out after weaning) is not only limited to the feed composition
– Start from a specific problem/challenge of (a group of) farmers for which a concrete solution is being sought
What were the main challenges during the innovation process?
– Not easy/restrictions to set up trials on the pig farms
– Participation of the farmers in all group meetings during the project due to lack of time
Qual o papel do consultor ou serviço de consultoria no caso prático?
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, Demand articulation, to allow actors to have access to new ideas, identify their needs, define their objectives and express clear demands to other actors, 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
For sharing experience of the practical case, entre em contato
De Smet Sarah
info@varkensloket.be ; +32 9 272 26 67