Implementation of husbandry practices improving quality and sustainability: a living lab approach
Abstract
The living lab approach to innovation is receiving increasing attention also in the agricultural sector in view of the
current environmental, economic, and social challenges. This contribution presents some preliminary results of
INTAQT project (EU Horizon 2020), which aims to perform an in- depth multi-criteria assessment of the relationships
between animal husbandry and qualities of products. In specific, this research aims to identify and implement on-farm
changes in the production processes (e.g. feeding regimes, outdoor access, herd management), which are expected
to improve intrinsic quality traits of the products and/or sustainability traits of the farms. A participatory approach
was used to establish farmer field-groups (living labs) representative of the different geographic regions and of the
main production systems involved in the project. Each farmer field group involves from 5 to 8 farms. The groups are
established considering different husbandry systems according to a gradient of intensification (extensive vs intensive
systems): 3 groups for dairy farms (Ireland, northern Italy and France); two groups for beef farms (Switzerland and
northern Italy); two groups for poultry (France and Italy). The methodological approach is based on 5 steps: (1) tarting
analytical phase: a critical analysis of trade-offs / synergies between sustainability and quality traits for each farmfield group; (2) decision phase: development of practices to improve the identified synergies / mitigate trade-offs; (3)
implementation phase: implementation of practices for at least one year. During this time, 2-3 meetings of the whole
farmers group on farms allow farmers discussions about their experiences, successes and drawbacks; (4) concluding
analytical phase: the aim is to analyse the effects of the implementation of the practices during a last meeting in the
farmer’s groups and presentation of the analysis results; (5) scientific data analysis and interpretation. The first results
of this approach will be presented and discussed. The ambition is to establish a network of living labs usable as pilot
and demonstration enterprises regarding practice improvements for better food quality and sustainability