Tag: implementation

The importance of Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technologies in agricultural practices is widely recognised, yet the actual adoption rate remains low. To address this issue, research with several interconnected sub-studies was initiated across seven countries to encourage PLF technology utilisation. Initially, 15 farms received PLF tools to showcase their benefits. Despite successful deployment, challenges such as animal behaviour, sensor positioning, and internet connectivity affected operational efficiency. Concurrently, surveys were conducted to assess livestock producers’ attitudes and identify adoption barriers. Subsequently, a sophisticated cloud-based ICT tool was developed to integrate research outcomes. The findings have highlighted concerns regarding the cost, complexity, maintenance, and perceived benefits of PLF technologies, exacerbated by internet connectivity issues in rural areas. Machine learning analysis identified the technological readiness levels of farmers, providing information for the development of the new PLF Compass tool. This integrated application facilitates technology adoption by offering personalised recommendations and benefit assessments.

We investigated the extent to which the Local Development Strategy (LDS) activities planned at the beginning of the European Union’s Leader programme implementation period, and the associated budget allocation in response to the defined local needs, were confirmed at the end of the period. We used as examples the implementation of two LDSs, one by a Local Action Group (LAG) in Poland and one in Italy. We applied some simple indicators to assess how much the budget assumptions at the planning level were reflected in the successful implementation of projects, and conducted interviews with representatives of the two LAGs. We showed that the two LAGs were generally working effectively but that excessive institutionalisation could be the major constraint to the proper design of the LDS and thus the implementation of the Leader programme. For the Polish LAG, it was because of the transfer of the evaluating role outside of the LAG: assessment of applications was undertaken by the regional institution, the Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture. In the case of the Italian LAG, the reason was an excessive formalisation of the rules concerning project applications.