1. Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development
European Innovation Partnership „Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability“
Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development

2. Context
In its Europe 2020 Strategy, the Commission underlines the crucial role of research and innovation in preparing the EU for the future challenges
The orientations for “the CAP towards 2020" highlight innovation as being indispensable to prepare Union agriculture for the future
The “Budget for Europe 2020" includes a major investment in the CAP section: 4.5 billion Euros for research and innovation in the field of food security, bio-economy and sustainable agriculture
The central role of research and innovation is specified in the Europe 2020 flagship initiative entitled "An Innovation Union," which introduced the concept of European Innovation Partnerships (EIP) as a new tool for encouraging innovation

3. Societal Challenges Increasing food demand (FAO: plus 70% by 2050)
Prospect:
Increasing food demand (FAO: plus 70% by 2050)
Increasing land use competition (bio-mass, bio-energy, nature conservation) and pressures on resources and environment
Slow-down of growth technological development
Response:
Increasing agricultural production and productivity in a sustainable manner (resource efficiency and “public goods”)
Acting across the whole supply change (recycling, reduction of post-harvest loss, and new products)
Requirements:
Major investment into research and innovation

4. Research Farming Practice
Closing The Innovation GAP
Research
Interaction
Farming Practice 4

5. “Achieving more from less”
Objectives
Transferring possible innovative approaches and products faster from science to practice
Ensuring systematic feedback on needs from practice to science
Increasing productivity while ensuring sustainable resource management and environmental preservation
Adapting to climate change and contributing to mitigation by reducing emissions of greenhouse gas
Promoting a competitive agricultural sector, able to contribute to global food security
“Achieving more from less”

6. Means Rural Development Programmes:
Cooperation, including pilot and demonstration projects
Business development
Knowledge transfer and advisory services
Quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs
Investment in physical assets
European Union Research Policy (Horizon 2020)
Applied research enhancing the knowledge base
Clusters of applied innovation actions and multi-stakeholder projects
Support innovation brokers and innovation centres

7. Network Function of the EIP
Interlinking innovation-related actions of Rural Development Policy and the Union Research and Innovation Framework
Ensuring an effective flow of information and providing advice to partners about the opportunities provided by EU policies
Exchange on best practice and accompanying research
Systematic feedback about practice needs to the scientific community
Exchange with European Technology Platforms (ETPs), European Research Area Networks (ERA-NETs), Joint Programming Initiatives, and other relevant fora
Interface function of the Standing Committee for Agricultural Research SCAR
Interaction with Water EIP rural network

8. Possible Themes
Primary production: technical solutions to increasing productivity and economic viability
Resource management: eco-system services, soil functionality, water management, and genetic resources (“public goods”)
Bioeconomy: innovative technology for the bio-based economy; recyling; new products; reduction of post harvest loss
Supply chain: integrated supply chain solutions; innovation in products and services, logistics, and management systems
Quality and consumers: food quality, food safety, and healthy lifestyles (consumer information and consumer choice) 8 8

9. EIP Network: Farmers Advisors Enterprises Researchers NGOs etc.
Research & Innovation Framework:
Applied research
Multi-actor
Pilot projects
Innovation brokers
Steering Board European Innovation Partnership ‚Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability ‘
EIP Network:
Farmers
Advisors
Enterprises
Researchers
NGOs
etc.
Standing Committee on Agricultural Research
Rural Development Network Steering Group
Horizon 2020 Programming
ETPs, ERA-Nets, JPIs, etc.
Rural Development Committee
Rural Development Policy:
Knowledge transfer
Cooperation
Advisory services
Investment
Operational Groups
Operational Groups
Member States Programmes

10. Additional information
- Communication on agricultural EIP : COM (2012) 79
- Rural development proposal :
Proposal „Horizon 2020“:

11. Thank you for your attention