Farmers in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are constantly innovating, adapting their farming techniques to cope with unfavourable weather or environmental conditions. But their efforts are far from systematic, and there is little government support for what they do.

A discussion at the 39th session of the European Commission on Agriculture, set for 22-23 September in Budapest, Hungary, will recommend policies to help the region’s family-run farms transition to more inclusive, decentralized and participatory agricultural innovation systems that could revolutionize the sector.