The nature of innovation
Usługa
The problem that innovation answers
Small farms (with less than 10 hectares) in Poland, which is the majority of all Polish farms, are no longer profitable. Young men and women in rural areas do not view agricultural professions as attractive and an increasing number of these people decide to move to the city or abroad. people who nevertheless choose to work on the farm often have to find an additional job in a local business (often below their qualifications) in order to provide for their families. Although the demand for high-quality food is growing, the supply still poses a problem as the farmers are afraid to rely entirely on organic farming methods because there is not a guaranteed market for organic food. They lack knowledge and networks with organized groups of buyers (such as members of food cooperatives) who are ready to pay more for higher-quality food purchased directly from the farmers. Farmers do not acquire useful knowledge on this in agricultural schools, which teach conventional farming methods and the standard ways of selling crops.
How does innovation work?
The innovation aims to encourage young farmers to grow crops using organic and traditional methods and to sell the crops directly to organized groups of buyers. Agro-eko-lab cooperates with agricultural schools where the innovators hold practical educational sessions intended for last year students. The sessions consist of three workshops and a visit to an organic farm and food co-operative.
Who is the innovation for?
Students of agricultural schools
Who can implement the innovation?
Agricultural schools
Innovation testing site
Zespół Szkół Centrum Kształcenia Rolniczego im. Augusta Zamoyskiego w Jabłoniu.
Products resulting from testing
– A PDF Handbook "Agro-eko-lab. – Food co-operatives and short supply chains"
– A presentation for a workshop on short supply chains
– A presentation for a workshop on organic farming in direct sales
Results achieved as a result of testing
Third and fourth grade students of Zespół Szkół Centrum Kształcenia Rolniczego im. Augusta Zamoyskiego in Jabłoń took part in the workshop conducted by educators of the cooperative “Dobrze”. During the workshop, the participants got acquainted with organic farming, learned about shortening the supply chain and visited a food co-op.
Assessment of innovation effectiveness
Zdecydowanie pozytywna
Rating comment
Zdecydowanie pozytywna
Has the innovation been selected for dissemination?
Tak
Website
https://transferhub.pl/poprzednia-edycja/innowacje-skalowane/agro-eko-lab/