ArrozInnova Calasparra – Operational Group

By project SMEOrigin

Published on 07 February 2024

Spain

Región de Murcia

Calasparra

About this good practice

An Operational Group is a group created to solve a problem in the sector or to take advantage of a specific opportunity through the implementation of an innovative project, and which will be made up of at least one beneficiary group, with or without legal personality, and other public or private agents necessary for the development of the project. The ArrozInnova Calasparra O.G. submitted a project to the 3rd call in 2020 of the Murcia Office for Agricultural Innovation for innovative projects at regional level. The O.G. implemented a project called “agro-ecological innovations on the cultivation of bomda rice in the pdo calasparra to improve the profitability of the farmer”. It is made up of 100% of the Calasparra PDO rice sector. The Consejo Regulador de la DOP Calasparra which represents 100% of the farmers, and the two rice mill operators the Cooperativa del Campo Virgen de la Esperanza and Arroces Flor de Calasparra. The coordination of the O.P. is mixed, since the part of documentation and relations with public administrations is carried out by the Group's Innovation agent. The O.G. as such is coordinated from the Control Board by its president and technical director.
The beneficiaries of the creation of the O.P.:
-PDO Rice of Calasparra producers
-Potential PDO Rice of Calasparra producers
-Regional and Local Authority

Resources needed

ArrozInnova O.G. operates financially thanks to partners contributions. For implementation of the project, 165.565,36€, receiving EU grant of 104.306,18€. EU co-financing % (EAFRD):63%. Region of Murcia co-financing: 37% (through Regional Ministry of Agriculture), plus partners contributions.

Evidence of success

Thanks to Arrozinnova O.G. a long-lasting collaboration have been established that can make new possible experiences, continuing the path of innovation. The ArrozInnova O.G., after the project that have implemented, is still active with the idea of reapplying for aid and being able to undertake a new project related to Calasparra PDO rice.
There is an internal coordinating board that will ensure its sustainability.

Potential for learning or transfer

This practice is potentially interesting for other regions to learn because:
-Operational Groups are a way to bring together interesting stakeholders to put into motion a common innovative project on innovation, PDO and SME’s capacity building on IT and marketing.
-By engaging in a Operational Groups, patners/members have the opportunity to collaborate, share ideas and solve problems together. This fosters creativity and innovation, as different perspectives can lead to more complete and effective solutions.
-To engage in such projects can promote labelling tools that give commercial visibility to sustainably produced product (in this case, PDO rice), creating added value for the product and favouring the competitiveness of production: PDO + Sustainability