The 13 Co-Innovation Case Studies (CICS) will facilitate broad learning processes focusing on the technical as well as the social aspects of the innovation, emphasizing a shared purpose realizing intercropping systems. 

The stakeholders involved are grouped according to the objectives they express and will work with researchers in a participatory approach to co-innovate in the development of processing technologies, production methods and product valorisation.

Demonstration and testing activities will be carried out both in farmers’ fields and with regard to easy-to-handle food processing technologies. The results will be concrete and validated operational solutions that can be adopted directly or adapted by the actors to fit their specific situation. 

A network of experiments

The two-year field experiment will be based on a network of 15 sites covering a wide gradient of soil and climatic conditions. On the basis of a common protocol, the data collected will be analysed jointly using a statistical methodology adapted to meta-analyses in order to answer 4 key questions

Assess the performance and yield stability of associated crops compared to pure crops and identify the determining conditions

To assess the efficiency of abiotic resource use and the factors determining grain nutrient composition

Evaluate the pest control efficiency of intercropping to elucidate pest-induced yield differences in the case of reduced or no chemical pesticides

Identify the extent of ecosystem services provided by intercropping and the impact on soil health, N20 emissions and water quality (nitrate leaching and pesticide use avoidance)

Countries involved in IntercropVALUES with the location of the 13 case studies and the 15 meta-experimentation sites

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Case studies

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4 Hypotheses test

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4 Hypotheses test + G*G*E*M interactions test

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4 Hypotheses + N20 emissions test

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4 Hypotheses + G*G*E*M interactions and N20 emissions test

Updates
from the experimentation sites

Strategic intercrops can improve soil health and deliver multiple ecosystem services

Presentation of the 13 Co-innovation
Case Studies (CICS)

CICS 01 DENMARK

New business opportunities along local food value chains – including educational aspects

CICS 02 SWEDEN

Increased market demand for locally produces, value addition, unlocking from local to national

CICS 03 UK

New and high value product development requiring technical quality adjustments

CICS 04 FRANCE (SW)

Develop mixtures of species for food innovations adapted to original low productivity contexts

CICS 05 GERMANY

New product development including technology and adjustments/redefining regulations

CICS 06 GREECE

New sustainable products for local markets including new machineries and adaptation

CICS 07 LA REUNION

New proven crop management strategies using service plants between the sugarcane rows

CICS 08 SPAIN

Specific labelling to agri-food industry. Collective IPM actions and strategies

CICS 09 SERBIA

Added final product value with prototypes and operational solutions

CICS 10 FRANCE (w)

Local/regional values chains, up to national to bring out other groups in FNCUMA network

CICS 11 ITALY

Environmental service clarifications including technical equipment optimization and investment

CICS 12 MOZAMBIQUE

“Global south” model building with the transition from subsistence to commercial family farming

CICS 13 SWITZERLAND

Each value chain actor needs to experience benefit from intercropping strategies

The project aims to design productive, diversified, resilient, profitable and environmentally friendly agroecological cropping systems