EU-FarmBook invited to high-level R&I Conference in Warsaw
On June 12, the Polish Presidency of the EU-Council hosted a high-level Research and Innovation (R&I) Conference in Warsaw. Inge De Bo, Scientific Coordinator of EU-FarmBook, was invited to deliver a keynote speech during a plenary session attended by experts from across the agri-food chain, including farmers, advisors, researchers, and policymakers.
The two-day conference, held from June 11–12, was organized by the Polish EU Presidency in cooperation with the European Commission, the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR), and the BIOEAST Initiative. Discussions focused on advancing the green and digital transformation of Europe’s agri-food systems. One of the themes was the role of Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) in driving this transformation. All participants were AKIS actors and the conference emphasized the need for collaboration between researchers, advisors, and practitioners to develop and implement innovative solutions at farm level.
Plenary session highlights how to Maximise Impact through Co-Creation
The plenary session addressed how research can achieve greater societal, environmental, and economic impact by placing practitioners at the heart of the innovation process. The opening speakers urged participants to rethink research impact and advocated for a broader more inclusive understanding that includes policy influence, social transformation, and practical adoption. “Impact is not just about what we publish, but what we change,” said Sergio Ponsá from the BETA Technological Center. Examples shared included successful multi-actor approaches such as EIP-AGRI Operational Groups, regional innovation clusters, and demonstration farms
From Research to Real-World Change
Inge De Bo underlined the importance of accessible knowledge flows supported by the EU-FarmBook platform, which is designed for farmers, foresters, and advisors. “We must disseminate research results in practical, easy-to-understand language — co-created with AKIS actors such as advisors, farmers, educators, and researchers — so that innovative solutions are adopted and applied in practice,” she said. “The EU-FarmBook platform is the point of reference for practitioners to meet and interact with each other.”
The session concluded with a clear message and a call to action for the AKIS Community
- Involve practitioners from the start.
- Support advisors as key actors in innovation.
- Foster communities of practice and multiplier networks.
- Embrace knowledge circularity — where experience feeds back into research.
“We are all AKIS actors,” said Jan van Esch of the SCAR AKIS Working Group. “If we want innovation to take root, we must work together — across disciplines, sectors, and borders.”
