Abstract
Promoting Agricultural Innovation Evaluations through EIP-AGRI Operational Groups: Insights from Southern Italy
This study explores the role of the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI) in fostering innovation through Operational Groups (OGs) in Southern Italy. By analyzing 173 OG projects across five regions (Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, and Sicily), the research classifies their innovation goals and outcomes using frameworks from the Oslo Manual and Community Innovation Survey (CIS). The findings highlight regional disparities, with Campania focusing on green innovations, Apulia on service innovation, and Sicily emphasizing product quality and flexibility. Despite these achievements, a limited focus on training across regions raises concerns about the long-term competitiveness of the agricultural sector. The paper underscores the importance of OGs in promoting collaboration among farmers, researchers, and businesses while identifying challenges in evaluating innovation outcomes due to fragmented data. Recommendations include the development of comprehensive databases to enhance policy evaluation and contribute to sustainability and economic resilience in alignment with the EU's Farm to Fork strategy.