TRUE Policy Delphi first and second round results (data and figures in pdf)

The food- and feed-value systems in the European Union are not protein self-sufficient. Identifying the barriers to the production and consumption of legumes is the first step in realizing new pathways towards more sustainable food systems where legumes are an integral part. Within the EU funded H2020 project TRUE, we engage stakeholders and decision-makers in a structured communication process, the Delphi method, to identify policy interventions leveraging barriers that hinder the production and consumption of legumes in the EU. The Policy Delphi was conducted in two rounds. Round 1 mainly focused on identifying the significant factors contributing to the relatively low production and consumption of legumes in Europe. Round 2 primarily focused on outlining the potential target areas of policy scenarios where future actions could support legumes' production and consumption. We chose the eDelphi open-source software (eDelphi.org) to send out invitations by email. Eighty experts representing various sectors such as research, policy, advocacy, food processing, seed supply/crop breeding, and agronomist/agricultural extension services accepted to participate. Thirty-three (Round 1) and forty-three (Round 2) experts finally participated in the Delphi.

The primary goals of this Delphi study were to 1., enable contributions of opinions from a panel of geographically dispersed policy experts and stakeholders; 2., reach a common understanding of the legume policy incoherencies across sectors; and 3., help opinion formation to identify policy instruments to leverage barriers for legume production and consumption.