Interesting pearls, puzzles and proposals surfaced during the Cross Visit to the region of Tuscany. The personal element emerged as a strong contributing factor to successful innovation. Regional government, the market and the industry are also important actors.

The Pearls: What Was Striking About the Innovation Cases?

Strong personal relationships as a basis for the innovation process

Personal relationships are important when it comes to connecting farmers with researchers and private consultants with farmers’ organizations – due to the fact that the agricultural system is very spread out in Tuscany at universities, agriculture schools, public and private consultant centers and professional organizations.

Scientists are involved on an individual basis

The consultants, the researches and the public administrators know the territory very well. They are able to intercept the farmers’ innovation needs and from their previous projects or contacts with other colleagues are able to propose and apply for innovation which is usually put in place under regional calls.

The Tuscan Regional Government brings people together and funds activities

The organization of the agriculture and forestry systems is in the hands of the government of the Tuscan Region, and the innovation activities are put in place after meetings organized at the consultation tables and through public calls.

Policy as early mover

The department of agriculture and forestry and the agriculture and rural development area are organized in consultation tables to better understand the farmers’ needs and put in place the innovation. Thus, policy is an important actor on behalf of innovation.

Market pull – Locally Strong Tuscany Branding – Niche Markets

Tuscany is a region that easily combines landscape and typical food. When eating a typical product or drinking a good glass of wine, the consumers recall in their minds the nice landscape. In its political strategy, the region wants to strengthen and preserve the identity of the products. This in turn has led to the spreading of local markets selling the products of the local area and, consequently, has brought about niche markets.

Industry is involved and wants to be

The industry is involved in the innovation system due to their feeling of “Tuscanity”.

Some entrepreneurs see public funding as helpful but not essential

The entrepreneurs are aware that they cannot get funding that covers their expenses a hundred per cent. To be efficient and grow, they themselves need to contribute with financial muscle.

Younger farmers are more receptive to change

Lately, the political effort has been focused on young people, particularly in agriculture. The farmers’ median age is over sixty and to maintain environmental and territory sustainability the presence of young farmers is important and fundamental. For that reason, a number of benefits are targeted towards young farmers.

The Puzzles: Things to Reconsider for the Stakeholders along the lines of “Tradition versus Innovation?”

  • Lack of structured links.
  • Lack of strategy/vision for the region.
  • No advisory service.
  • How much recognition for role of region?
  • Role of region? More than cashpoint?
  • Who feels responsible for which function in AKIS?
  • What scale of farming to support?
  • Are the farmers organised? (The farmers’ organization remained largely out of sight during the Cross Visit but is alive and well).
  • Are people aware of data ownership?
  • Fair sharing of costs and benefits deriving from innovation.
  • How to scale up?

Proposals For the Innovation Process

  • Create support service (FAS).
  • Proper of facilitators, brokers, intermediates.
  • Need for mapping out/stimulating networks.
  • Training on soft skills.
  • Equal partnership (including farmers).
  • Dissemination ≠ publishing – translation of knowledge necessary.
  • Mechanism for dissemination (beyond innovation) – upscaling including innovators in enterprises/innovation processes.
  • Create overall innovation strategy – EU/H2020.
  • Change incentives for researchers.

Take sustainability/viability into account.

Read more about the Italian Cross Visit to Tuscany in March.