Contact/s:
Sladjana Blazevic
sladjana.blazevic@biosense.rs
Building national networks of Pilot Demo Farmers: lessons from 26 National Coordinators in the Climate Farm Demo project
Europe
26 countries, all pedo-climatic zones
1. Establishment of the network that supports farmer engagement and continued participation through trusted advisor–farmer relationships
2. Enabling peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and uptake of climate-smart practices
3. Better alignment of climate-smart practices with farmers’ economic priorities
Thematic Areas
Production System/s
Summary for Practicioners on the Main Finding(s)/Innovative solution(s)
Establishing an effective network of Pilot Demo Farmers (PDFs) across the 26 participating countries in the Climate Farm Demo project is a critical first step in promoting the adoption of Climate Smart Farming (CSF) practices. While all countries worked towards the same project objectives, they faced different production systems, pedo-climatic conditions, and levels of farmer engagement. Testimonies from National Coordinators (NCs), who coordinate Climate Farm Demo activities and stakeholders at country level, show that successful national networks rely on strong collaboration between advisory organisations and farmers willing to share both successes and challenges.
Personal contacts, in-person meetings, and trust between the Climate Farm Advisor (CFA) and the farmer proved essential for setting up and maintaining the PDF network. National Coordinators support CFAs through direct involvement with farmers, training sessions, webinars, inviting experts to national meetings, and connections with AKIS or other relevant national stakeholders.
Among the main challenges identified is the relatively low level of farmer motivation and engagement with climate-related issues. In this context, trusted relationships between farmers, CFAs and National Coordinators play an important role in sustaining engagement by understanding farmers’ priorities and concerns, providing training and knowledge exchange, and linking climate-smart farming to farmers’ immediate economic and practical priorities.
The experience across Climate Farm Demo shows that building and maintaining a strong farmer network requires more than recruitment. Trusted advisor–farmer relationships, continuous support for advisors, and communication that links climate action with practical farm priorities can help sustain farmer involvement and effective knowledge exchange.