Effective approaches for technology and innovation transfer to SMEs Growing tomatoes with help of nature dr. Janko RODE Aleš TOLAR Chamber of agriculture and forestry of Slovenia

DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GOOD PRACTICE GENERAL DESCRIPTION Conventional greenhouse production high demand for energy (oil, natural gas…) high demant for fertilizers and pesticides low sustainability, high carbon footprint the worst cases threat for ground water, ecosystem degradation by building infrastructure Threat for human health (growers, consumers)

Search for sustainable practices in greeenhouse vegetable production Construction optimized for best effects Use of polinators Minimizing use of pesticides (predators) Use of rainwater and reuse of irrigation water Use of renevable energy sources (solar, geothermal)

Potential in Slovenia Only 0,03% of arable land covered production Growing problems with weather extremes Low competivness of veg. production High potential for use of geothermal energy Prekmurje agricultural and geothermal region

Technique used in PARADAJZ LTD Rainwater for irrigation, 20% of water recycled, Geothermal for heating. water, climate,fertilizers controlled by computer organic substrate (recycling) natural predators disease control -climate Polinators – bumblebees

Results 4 ha of greenhouses ( +2 in construction) 2000 tonnes of production ( up to 3500 t) Exclusive sale, good price Active promotion and corporate image

Innovation Innovative way of coupling high technology of greenhouse production and use of renevable resources: Rainwater – up to 70 % of needed water Geothermal energy for heating - use of hot water from the bore on site, – Heat exchanger – Heat pumps Substrate reuse – cmopost or biogas production

Beneficiaries SMEs from sector of vegetable production SMEs in regions with high geothermal potential SMEs with small production surfaces Inerest /need for greenhouse production is growing Exact number not assesed yet

Consequences Production is environmental friendly and sustainable Low interference with the soil on site No interference with ground (thermal) water Low possibility of environmental pollution No cummulation in plants or their products. Lower carbon footprint during lifecycle compared to conventional greenhouse Low health hazard for producersand consumers

Transfer of innovation Company is ready to transfer the know-how selection of technology coupling geothermal technology and technology of greenhouse production, building capacities for greenhouse production, choosing right varieties, seeds or seedlings or consulting in production process and logistic onsite training in production technologies to interested people.

Sources of know-how Constant training in the vision od company Cooperation with producers abroad Membership in exclusive study clubs Testing tecnhology in real conditions Proven technologies/innovations introduced in production Presentation of results on congresses, expert meetings Practice can be transferred to regions of high geotermal potential

Accsessibilty Consulting trough direct contact with interested customer (SMEs) Conditions and sosts agreed by customers (trade secret) and depend on the type of colaboration Conditions for application SMEs wanting to apply technology have to have experts with certain experience and basic knowledge of agriculture, energetic and glasshouse management.

Obstacles & Success Factors Legislative framework Constantly changing regulations Searching for investments to apply to PRD measures (1.2.1.) Seriousness of potential beneficiaries Small domestic market of Slovenia

To overcome the obstacles Active cooperation with decision makers to ease administrativbe procedures Applying to different tenders (PRD, start-up,…) Active search for investros Assession of potential partners (customers) Adaptibility in terms of (co)financing the technology transfer

Success factors facilitating innovation transfer Growing awareness about more sustainable agricultural practices with less impact to environment and humans. Use of local resources of renevable energy Production of high quality table tomatoes (vegetables) Low carbon dioxide footprint Possibility of use of innovative technology in horticulture (vegetable production) Avoiding problems with weather extremes connected to climate changes

TRANSFER OF THE PRACTICE Aplicable in all regions with high geothermal potential and tradition of vegetable growing

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