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Knowledge Networks in Organic Fruit Production across Europe: A Survey Study

Malusa, Eligio; Furmanczyk, Ewa; Tartanus, Małgorzata; Brouwer, Gerjan; Parveaud, Claude-Eric; Warlop, Francois; Kelderer, Markus; Kienzle, Jutta; Alcazar Marin, Evelyne; Dekker, Teun; Vávra, Radek; Verrastro, Vincenzo; Lindhard Pedersen, Hanne; Boutry, Clémence; Friedli, Michael and Schlüter, Marco (2022) Knowledge Networks in Organic Fruit Production across Europe: A Survey Study. Sustainability, 14 (2960), pp. 1-17.

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Summary in the original language of the document

Limited data regarding the resources and methods used by organic fruit growers to learn about production practices are available, even though this information is crucial to improving the efficacy of knowledge transfer. Therefore, a survey to gain information from knowledge networks dealing with organic fruit production about their structural organisation, tasks and methods of communication was carried out in twenty-one countries from Europe and the Mediterranean basin. A total of 56 networks representing about 42,500 professionals were identified as a result of the survey. The vast majority of them were only active at the regional or national level and were composed of farmers, advisors and researchers. About 3/4 of the networks were developing improved strategies for agronomic practices and about half of them were also involved in different knowledge-transfer activities between their members. Personal contact was the most used method to exchange and disseminate information within the networks as well as to elaborate improved strategies. The findings were analysed in view of the methods and practices commonly used to share both explicit (scientific) and implicit (practical) knowledge among practitioners. It was concluded that knowledge networks play an important role in the development of more resilient organic cropping systems, frequently making organic fruit growers the drivers of innovation. Networking for knowledge exchange was considered a process that encourages the active involvement of farmers in experimentation and innovation applying a method of knowledge sharing that is rooted in the very foundation of organic philosophy. Some recommendations and future research were suggested to further foster the development and functioning of networks for knowledge exchange.


EPrint Type:Journal paper
Keywords:pome fruits, stone fruits, citrus, informal knowledge, Biofruitnet, abacus, FiBL25073
Agrovoc keywords:
Language
Value
URI
English
pome fruits
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_25497
English
stone fruits
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_25461
English
Citrus
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1637
Subjects: Crop husbandry > Production systems > Fruit and berries
Knowledge management > Education, extension and communication
Research affiliation: Czech Republic > Other institutions Czech republic
Germany > Fördergemeinschaft Ökologischer Obstbau - FÖKO
Germany > Naturland
Spain > Other organizations Spain
European Union
France > GRAB - Groupe de Recherche en Agriculture biologique
Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Crops > Special crops > Fruit
Italy > Other organizations Italy
Poland
Denmark > Other organizations Denmark
Sweden > Other organizations Sweden
Netherlands > Other organizations Netherlands
Horizon Europe or H2020 Grant Agreement Number:862850
DOI:10.3390/su14052960
Related Links:https://www.fibl.org/en/themes/projectdatabase/projectitem/project/1720
Deposited By: Parveaud, Dr Claude-Eric
ID Code:43829
Deposited On:20 Jul 2022 10:11
Last Modified:11 Sep 2024 11:09
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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