On-farm experiments on cultivation of grain legumes for food – outcomes from a farmer–researcher collaboration

Abstract There is a growing interest among farmers and consumers in increasing production consumption of grain legumes Sweden. This requires better knowledge advisors about suitable species, varieties management practices for different conditions. Since cultivar suitability are highly site-specific, need to gain their own experience new crops practices. paper describes farmer–researcher collaboration which cultivation food was investigated on-farm experiments designed, managed evaluated jointly by group researchers. Farmers tested innovative using within-field species diversity, comparative performance methods weed control. Post-harvest steps such as cleaning selling the were considered be integral components experiments. The process generated types knowledge, including practical on crop management, strategic economic sustainability joint learning through collaboration. combined advantages ‘pure’ farmer (i.e., context specificity) researcher scientific inquiry), facilitating deeper analysis understanding outcomes. enabled efficient building, adoption stimulated further experimentation. outcomes this study that collaborations can stimulate collective stimulating exchange between participants combining complementary perspectives throughout experimentation process. also provides recommendations future work, instance settings evaluate results.