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LV LIVERUR project experience exchange trip
On October 4, the Farmers' Saeima organized an experience exchange trip "Innovation and Circular Economy" within the framework of the LIVERUR Project. The main goal of the event was to promote the exchange of information between interested parties on experience in the implementation of innovations and the circular economy. During the event, participants were shown real examples of how innovations are implemented in rural entrepreneurship, how the circular economy works in practice, and how it is possible to successfully cooperate between entrepreneurs.
At the beginning of the event, the Z/S “Līči” was visited, where the “from garden to table” principle was practically introduced in the restaurant “Zemnieku cienasts”, a local produce market was visited, and a children's amusement park and a guest house were viewed (https://www.zemniekacienasts.lv).
An insight into the implementation of precision technologies was gained at the farm “RĪveri” in Džūkste parish, Tukums region. During the farm tour, various elements and solutions of the circular economy were discussed, including organic waste management with the help of compost and the use of composted material for fertilizing apple trees. The demonstrated precision agricultural technologies include precise fertilizer spreading and plant protection application, and precise steering for tractors.
We also visited SIA “Pūres dārzi”, followed by a visit to the Pūre Chocolate Museum. A tour was organized at the museum, which included a story about the history of chocolate, as well as an introduction to the production process from the extraction of raw materials to the finished product. Afterwards, in the creative workshop, the participants had the opportunity to make and taste chocolate themselves. The company uses local fruits and berries in production (https://purechocolate.lv).
At the end of the event, the participants visited the Agricultural Services Cooperative Society “Taste of Talsu Region”. The main goal of the cooperative society is to unite home producers and small producers of Talsu Region in order to support the business of Talsu Region, helping members sell their products and promoting the image of Talsu Region. During the visit, the importance of cooperation and its benefits were emphasized.
During the event, the parties involved actively shared their experiences and discussed the introduction of innovations in agricultural enterprises and the role of the circular economy in ensuring growth. Those involved recognized that the added value of agricultural products are effective solutions that promote the development of the competitiveness of agricultural production and at the same time strengthen the position of agricultural producers in the value chain. Entrepreneurs shared their experiences on the introduction of innovations and agreed that innovations are essential for survival. In a free market, it is essential to develop new, improved products, equipment, processes and methods for the introduction or significant improvement of their functional and intended properties.
Technological innovations are also important to keep up with the times. This increases the economic competitiveness of companies. Most technological innovations involve significant changes in the technological process, equipment and software.
The participants agreed that the growth of the agricultural sector should be primarily promoted by increasing resource efficiency (possibly through innovation and the introduction of circular economy principles). However, the adoption of circular economy principles in the private sector cannot be an end in itself – economic growth and financial benefits for companies must always be kept in mind.
Knowledge and information sharing are the most important factors that facilitate the introduction of innovations. For rural enterprises to develop, information exchange between stakeholders must continue.
