EIP-AGRI
Supporting innovation, competitiveness and sustainability in agriculture and forestry.
About EIP-AGRI in Ireland
What is EIP-AGRI?
The European Innovation Partnership for Agriculture Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI) is an exciting and novel approach to research and innovation. EIP-AGRI is one of five European Innovation Partnerships (EIPs) launched to boost the EU’s capacity to innovate. EIP-AGRI focuses on agriculture and forestry. Other EIPs target issues related for example to healthy
EIPs are challenge-driven and focus on societal benefits and
The overall aim of EIP-AGRI relates to the pooling of expertise and resources by bringing together public and private sectors at EU, national and regional levels. EIP-AGRI works to:
- Combine supply and demand side measures
- Focus on forming partnerships, using bottom-up approaches
- Link actors in different types of interactive innovation projects such as Operational Groups (OGs) under Rural Development Programmes (RDPs).
The National Rural Network (NRN) works closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to support and build networks between Ireland’s OGs, as well as research and disseminate information on Ireland’s EIP-AGRI projects.
Operational Groups (OGs)
EIP-AGRI Operational Groups are funded under the RDP and are project based. OGs bring together multiple actors such as:
- Farmers
- Researchers
- Farm advisers
- Environmental groups
- Other NGOs.
OGs work on projects to advance innovation in the agriculture and forestry sectors.
Read also our EIP-AGRI: Ireland’s Operational Groups 2019 Booklet.
The NRN has developed an Interactive Storyboard Database and infographic of Ireland’s EIP-AGRI OGs.
Click on the image below to visit database – or click here to view
Focus Groups
EIP-AGRI Focus Groups bring together expertise from researchers, advisors, farmers, and industry. Focus groups are:
- Designed to facilitate knowledge transfer between members
- Work to collect and assimilate knowledge on good practices in a specific area and list opportunities and solutions
- Set up at an international level bringing together 20 experts from the agriculture sector
- Temporary groups of selected experts focusing on a specific subject, sharing knowledge and experience.
Focus groups are convened over a 1 to 2 year period and each group must meet at least twice a year. At the end of the
A number of focus groups have Irish representation. Find more detail on these in the ‘Focus Group’ section below.
Operational Group Storyboard
Latest News
Irish National Rural Network Embraces AKIS
The Irish National Rural Network (NRN) have stepped up their efforts to help stimulate knowledge exchange and boost innovation in agriculture and rural areas by producing an Irish language (Gaeilge) version of a booklet highlighting and promoting Ireland’s 23 EIP-AGRI...
Minister Ring Provides €600,000 to Support Over 100 Agricultural Shows Around the Country
Mr Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, has announced funding of €600,000 for Agricultural Shows around the country. This allocation will fund approximately 120 shows due to take place in 2020. Each qualifying show will receive a payment of...
Irish Language EIP-AGRI Operational Groups Booklet Launched at the Burren Winterage School 2019
An Irish language version of a booklet highlighting and promoting Ireland’s 23 EIP-AGRI Operational Group projects funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020, was launched at this...
Blog Posts
OviData EIP-AGRI Project for Sheep Genetic Improvement
"An Ounce of Breeding is worth a Tonne of Feeding" In this guest blog, Eamon Wall, OviData EIP-Agri project leader, former lead of Irelands sheep breed improvement programme run by Sheep Ireland and part-time farmer, provides us with a comprehensive overview of...
The Role of EIP-AGRI Operational Groups to Realign Policy
In this guest blog, Dr Barry McMahon, Associate Professor in the School of Agriculture and Food Science at University College Dublin (UCD), where he acts as Programme Director of the MSc in Wildlife Conservation and Management, details his thoughts and opinions on how...
Realising the Potential of Forestry in Ireland through EIP-AGRI
In this guest blog, Dr. Nuala Ní Fhlatharta, Head of the Teagasc Forestry Development Department, provides us with an insightful and comprehensive overview of the opportunities and challenges facing the forestry sector in Ireland. Dr Ní Fhlatharta also highlights two...
Are you interested in EIP-AGRI and
rural development?
Case Studies
Small Biogas Demonstration Programme (SBDP)
This project aims to stimulate the deployment of innovative on-farm small-scale biogas production by providing support and a capital contribution to three demonstration projects. Research will assist in understanding how biogas can drive sustainability improvements at...
Protecting Farmland Pollinators
This project aims to develop a flexible mechanism that encourages all farmers to make their whole-farm more pollinator friendly in a way that is measurable and will not impact on productivity. Geographical location (NUTS3) Mid-East Region (IE) Main Funding Source...
Allow Project – Duhallow Farming for Blue Dot Catchments
This project aims to restore the status of a high-status objective waterbody not meeting its objective in an agricultural catchment (River Allow, Duhallow, Co Cork), through a collaborative locally led farmer focused approach, between farmers with experience of...
Video Gallery
EIP-AGRI: Ireland’s Operational Groups 2019 Booklet
The National Rural Network team at NUI Galway have designed and produced a booklet entitled ‘EIP-AGRI: Ireland’s Operational Groups 2019’ to highlight and promote the 23 Irish EIP-AGRI Operational Groups selected by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Reports and Resources
EIP-AGRI USEFUL LINKS
Focus Groups
EIP-AGRI Focus Groups are temporary groups of selected experts focusing on a specific subject, sharing knowledge and experience. These groups bring together expertise from research, advisors, farmers, and industry. Focus Groups are set up at international level bringing together 20 experts from the agriculture sector.
See More
The groups are designed to facilitate knowledge transfer between members, to collect and assimilate knowledge on best practices in a specific area and list opportunities and solutions. Each Focus Group must meet at least twice a year. The Focus Group is convened over a 1-2 year period. At the end of the period a report is completed and the results and findings of the Focus Group are published on the EIP-AGRI website.
The following Focus Groups have Irish representation:
Agro-forestry : woody vegetation- Animal Husbandry
- Nutrient Recycling
- Dairy Production Systems
- New Entrants into Farming
- Mainstreaming Precision Farming
- Protein Crops
- Livestock Emissions
- High Nature Value (HPV) Farming Profitability
- Short Food Supply Chains
- Permanent Grassland
Read more here: www.eip-agri.ie
NRN Partners & Funders
Contact Info
Address
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Clara Rd, Moate,
Co. Westmeath. N37 W9R0