What: In order to assess specific needs of innovation, re-orient research towards satisfying firms' needs and evaluate the possibility of transferring ready-to-use innovations, based on specific agreements signed between research institutes and economic stakeholders, LIVINGAGRO project partners did and are organizing twenty field visits in the four project countries (Italy, Greece, Lebanon and Jordan). Two of these visits were already held in Italy and the last one was organized in Sardinia focusing on the islands' silvopastoral systems.

Silvopastoral systems are the main agroforestry systems in the Mediterranean that strongly contribute to supporting local economies, providing both plant and animal products. Furthermore, their role in providing a wide range of ecosystem services is well recognized. Today there is a strong demand from farmers for an integrated system of good agroforestry practices that guarantees the sustainability of production, the transfer of innovation and the increase in profitability for the territories/actors involved.

Who: The last implemented Italian visit offered researchers in the field of agroforestry the opportunity to talk to farmers to assess their specific needs of innovation in agroforestry practices and to highlight innovation and knowledge gaps. While the preliminary results of the ongoing experimentation activity are being elaborated, the need for re-orienting research towards firm’s needs and assess the possibility of transferring ready to use innovations have been further discussed.

When and Where: The Field visit took place on last November 10th, 2022 at the Elighes Uttiosos agri-campsite of the Caratzu family, and on November 11th, 2022 at the Agrentu farm of the Murgia family, respectively in the Montiferru and Marmilla areas (centre-west and centre-south Sardinia, Italy).

Outcomes: The field visit favored the exchange of good practices concering circularity and multifunctionality related to agroforestry between the group of researchers of the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy (NIBIO) visiting the Institute of Bioeconomy and the Institute of Animal production Systems of the Italian National Research Council (CNR IBE-ISPAAM) and the Caratzu and Murgia farmers who hosted the initiative animating the participatory process initiated in the framework of the project's LivingLab 2 (grazed woodlands). Furthermore, the adhesion to the visit by a good number of agro-zootechnical and agroforestry companies upon invitation of the CNR in collaboration with the Regional Forest Agency for Land and Environment of Sardinia (Fo.Re.S.T.A.S.), LIVINGAGRO Leading Partner, allowed the exploration of the readiness and real need by farmers for innovation linked to improvement of land and farm management at different levels (e.g. investments in infrastructure such as irrigation systems, adoption of ICT-based solutions, genetic selection, system strategies etc.). Finally, the presentation of eco-innovations related to pasture improvement and optimization of the farm's performance aroused interest and favored interaction with participanting farmers as proof of a profitable initiative of effective technological transfer and exchange. Besides presentations and discussions, the target group of the initiative had the opportunity to observe the experimental field tests carried out at the Murgia farm concerning the introduction of innovative forage mixtures proposed by the CNR ISPAAM as well as discuss the near-future company strategies proposed by the organizing livestock company aiming at increasing the genetic quality of the flock as well as at an extensification of productions (e.g. higher price of the livestock unit with reduction of the load) in agroforestry contexts to intercept new market demands.