Accurate, up-to-date information on support services for farmers
Modern political, economic and environmental circumstances amount to large and ongoing changes to which farmers must adapt. Various AKISs have been implemented to support producers in keeping up and remaining connected. The EU-funded PRO AKIS (Prospects for farmers' support: Advisory services in European AKIS) project aimed to explore and systematically describe the various European AKIS schemes. Work began by creating an inventory of AKIS organisations, institutions and their linkages in 27 Member States (MS). It consists of individual country reports detailing national AKIS and advisory organisations, synthesis reports, a searchable database with key information on advisory services and AKIS, and a directory of advisory organisations in the MS. Four case studies were conducted in seven MS. This resulted in a report for each case focusing on small-scale farmers' access to relevant and reliable knowledge, services bridging scientific research topics and farmers' demands, and appropriate support for diverse rural actors that form networks around innovations in agricultural and rural areas. Project partners developed a conceptual framework for assessing AKISs. By clarifying AKISs and farm advisory services, key stakeholders are able to have a shared definition of farm advisory services and a common vision about how they are incorporated into AKISs. Concepts and definitions were summarised in a report targeting policymakers. For the EU member states, dominating agricultural advisory systems were identified and this information is organised in a searchable database. Also, an interactively usable inventory for all organisational types of advisory services was created, tested and made publically accessible. This inventory was handed to and will be managed by the European professional organisation of agricultural and rural advisors (EUFRAS). Using all findings as a basis, policy recommendations were produced for strengthening European AKISs. By its practical outputs, PRO AKIS has the potential to enhance linkages between various stakeholders to promote mutual learning and to produce, share and use agriculture-related knowledge, information and technology.
Keywords
Farmers, agricultural knowledge and innovation systems, PRO AKIS, advisory services
