Grant programme: Erasmus+ programme (KA220-VET - Cooperation partnerships in vocational education and training)

Coordinated by: ÖMKi Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, Hungary

Start date: 1st of November 2021

End date: 31rd of October 2024

Partners in the consortium: 

• Agroinstitut, Slovakia
• FiBL-AT, Austria
• IPS Konzalting, Croatia
• Neumann János University, Hungary
• ÖMKi, Hungary

Website: https://cap-tivate.eu/

CAPTIVATE (CAP Transfer of Information Via Assessment, Training & Extension) project

The main aim of the project is to develop a farmer-centred assessment and training system by connecting the EU's new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) requirements with proven, innovative, sustainable eco-management practices, in favour of better implementation of the various measures, increased uptake of support, improved efficiency in production and protection of the natural environment.  Our objective is that farmers better understand conditionality, eco-scheme and rural development regulations and their linked undertakings, they choose (supported by a farm assessment tool) and participate in the certain schemes with more responsibility and awareness, carrying out the measures more consciously and effectively.

For farmers to be able to apply the practices in a professional, efficient, successful and sustainable way, it is essential that they understand how they work, the production (and not only support) benefits they can expect from their application, they are genuinely convinced to introduce and maintain these methods in production practice. Only then can meaningful progress be achieved, whether it is more efficient use of pesticides, higher yields, or less environmental impact.  The key to a change in farmers' attitudes is the right transfer of practical knowledge, which requires advisory support, demonstration farms events and forums that bring together actors to transfer knowledge.