Demonstration case study reports

As part of the PLAID project an in-depth assessments of the processes involved in achieving efficient and effective on-farm demonstration activities was investigated. 24 year-long studies of demonstration events and activities were selected and followed 2 case studies in each partner country were selected, which followed demonstration from initial commissioning through to impact assessment. The specific objectives were

Improved understanding of the key elements that contribute to successful and effective demonstration activities on commercial farms, looking specifically at: commissioning and financing, topic selection, accessibility, mediation techniques, and embeddedness. Gender will be specifically addressed.

Improved understanding of the effectiveness of demonstration activities in terms of learning by participants (at the individual level and the network level: what is learned, by whom, how and why?) and the subsequent impact (i.e. actual implementation of what farmers have learned on their own farm, new network development, innovation inception).

Assess the role of demonstration within the wider AKIS systems and what the impact of demonstration is on learning and technology adoption

Develop insights into critical success factors, best (and poor) practices, and indicators for effective and successful demonstration activities.