Aragon
The heterogeneity of Aragon makes it possible to find a significant sample of Mediterranean and continental crops (dry and irrigated) distributed at different altitudes, associated with a significant livestock sector. All of the above constitutes a fundamental sector in the Aragonese economy, with a Gross Added Value (GAV) of more than €2.1 billion, which represents 5% of total production in Aragon (2.3% on average in Spain). This value is the third highest among the Autonomous Communities, representing 7% of the national GVA ( CESA, 2024. Report on the economic and social situation of Aragon 2023, Executive Summary, 13 ).
Even with the added difficulty of a vast territory and a low population density similar to that of the most sparsely populated regions of the European Union, the Community has a system of institutions, companies, organizations and research centers that contribute to the development of the agricultural and agri-food sector and to the transfer of knowledge and innovations.
In the Aragonese knowledge and innovation system, five major groups of stakeholders are identified, comprising public and private organizations and institutions that are part of the knowledge transfer scheme for the agri-food and forestry sector (AKIS ARAGON):
The image shows the knowledge transfer scheme for the agri-food and forestry sector (AKIS) in Aragon and its public and private stakeholders:
- Actors supporting knowledge transfer.
- Agents that generate knowledge.
- Entities for the transfer of knowledge.
- Agents dedicated to training.
- Agents of the agri-food sector, livestock farmers, farmers, SMEs.
AKIS agents and interactions
Agents dedicated to the generation of knowledge
The generation of knowledge and development of scientific research falls upon a group of public institutions that provide accommodation for doctoral research staff:
- University of Zaragoza
- Aragon Agri-Food Research and Technology Center (CITA) : The Center's mission is to generate high-quality scientific and technical information relevant to the private sector, public administrations, and society in the fields of agri-food and the environment.
- Teruel Rural Bioeconomy Innovation Centre (CITAte) : This is a CITA headquarters in Teruel, whose main purpose is to facilitate and promote research and innovation projects in the bioeconomy and circular economy in the agri-food, forestry, and environmental sectors.
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2) : It is a UNIZAR-CITA Joint University Research Institute that aims to promote the cooperative aggregation and interaction of prestigious researchers for the definition of more ambitious and global multidisciplinary research projects of national and international scope.
- CSIC/Aula DEI Experimental Station (EEAD) : The mission of the Station is to provide the agricultural sector with materials and technologies to increase its competitiveness and sustainability, based on knowledge of the processes involved in plant production.
- CSIC/Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE) : This center contributes to the understanding of the functioning and structure of terrestrial systems and the organisms that inhabit the Pyrenees.
Public sector agents
- Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Food : This is the area of government organized into different general directorates and administrative services responsible for administering the powers of the Autonomous Community relating to the agricultural and agri-food sector.
- Agri-Food Innovation and Transfer Service (SITA ): Attached to the General Directorate of Rural Development of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Food, it is the unit responsible for implementing the knowledge transfer, advice and cooperation measures contemplated in both the 2014-2020 PDR and the 2023-2027 PEPAC.
- Food Transfer Center (CTA) : The center develops activities related to experimentation and transfer of new agri-food technologies, their promotion and dissemination, contributing to the training and capacity building of professionals in the agri-food sector.
- Plant Health and Certification Service (CSCV) : Attached to the General Directorate of Food Quality and Safety, it is the technical unit responsible for managing surveillance and control plans for plant pests and diseases, the marketing and use of phytosanitary products, technical advice to the production sector on plant health, as well as the control of production processes and certification of plant material for reproduction in Aragon and its trade.
- Regional Agri-Food Offices (OCAs) : These offices are points of contact for citizens, where requests for information and advice on procedures and state and EU agri-food policy are received. They also inform citizens and professionals in the agri-food sector about production trends, advances in agri-food research and technology, and market developments.
- Aragonese Society for Agro-Environmental Management (SARGA) : This is a public company focused on providing efficient and agile services to towns and natural areas.
- Agro-environmental Laboratory : The laboratory carries out official inspections of agricultural and food products at source and health checks on livestock, both for individuals and entities that request them.
Agents dedicated to training
Agents of the agri-food sector
- Advisory bodies : Created within the scope of intervention 7202_01 PEPAC Advisory 2023-2027 and, for the most part, in operation with the implementation of Measure 02 of the PDR 2014-2020. Among the 13 advisory bodies selected in 2023, there are more than 100 advisors recognized by the Government of Aragon and distributed throughout the territory of the AC, transmitting knowledge to farmers and ranchers through direct contact with them.
- Agri-food cooperatives Aragon : This is the organization that brings together and defends the economic and social interests of the Aragonese agri-food cooperative movement.
- Integrated Treatment Groups in Agriculture (ATRIAs) : These are organizations whose purpose is to guarantee consumer safety, respect for the environment, the sustainable use of pesticides, and the promotion of integrated pest management for different crops.
- Livestock Health Defense Associations (ADSG) : Associations aimed at raising the health and zootechnical level of their farms by adopting a common health program for the same livestock species.
- Professional Colleges of Agricultural Engineers , Agricultural Technicians and Veterinarians of Zaragoza , Huesca and Teruel .
- Professional Agricultural Organizations (OPAs): Four professional organizations stand out: UAGA-COAG , ASAJA , UPA and ARAGA .
- Association of Food Industries of Aragon (AIAA) : Association that represents food companies in Aragon, mainly SMEs.
- Aragonese Food Cluster : An organization made up of 45 members (including companies, research/technology centers, and universities working in the food sector) that aims to promote innovation in the agri-food industries of Aragon.
Other agents
- Leader Groups , Aragon Rural Development Program (2014 - 2020): These are regional groups that help channel aid and knowledge for small businesses linked to the agri-food and forestry sectors.
- Current agricultural advisory entities for the period 2023-2027
- Oviaragón SCL. Joint Advisory Area
- Union of Farmers and Ranchers of Aragon (UAGA). Joint advisory area
- Union of Small Farmers and Ranchers of Aragon (UPA). Joint advisory area
- ASAJA Huesca. Joint Advisory Area
- Los Monegros de Sariñena Cooperative Society. Joint advisory area
- Regional Association of Farmers and Ranchers of Aragon (ARAGA). Joint advisory area
- Teruel Cereals Cooperative Society. Joint advisory area
- Regional Association of Aragonese Rasa Sheep Breeders (ANGRA), Joint Advisory Area
- United Regional Livestock Farming GUCO SC. Livestock Advisory Department
- Regional Council of Campo Virgen de la Corona. Joint Advisory Area
- Arrocera del Pirineo SCL. Agricultural advisory department
- SC Agraria Virgen de la Oliva. Joint advisory area
- SC Nuestra Señora de los Pueyos. Agricultural Advisory Department
- Cultivate Agricultural Solutions SL. Joint advisory area
- Aragonese Rural Development Network
- Aula Dei Science and Technology Park (PCTAD) : provides facilities and support services as a technological partner in any of the development phases of an R&D project.
Instruments and tools for the dynamization of the AKIS
REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
The III Aragonese Plan for Research, Development and Innovation ( III PAIDi ) is the key tool to achieve the regional objectives related to R&D&I until 2027. These objectives are based on those reflected in the Smart and Sustainable Specialization Strategy (S3) of Aragon for the period 2021-2027, which highlights the importance of prioritizing efforts in scientific research and technological innovation, both in terms of knowledge generation and its progressive valorization to generate wealth, employment, well-being and respond to the needs of citizens as a whole.
The S3 Aragón 2021-2027 establishes priorities for business, technological, and scientific activity on which to concentrate investments in research, development, and innovation. It seeks to maximize the potential for added value and employment generation as part of the regional economic transformation process.
CAP 2023-2027
Within the scope of the common agricultural policy, Aragon allocates the following budget and actions to the three interventions most directly linked to AKIS:
- 7161 (Cooperation of EIP operational groups): €16 million
- 7201 (Knowledge sharing and information dissemination): €5.26 million
- Activities for the exchange and dissemination of knowledge and information.
- Training activities.
- Raising awareness about forest fires.
- 7202 (Advice): €14.65 million
- Aid to contribute to obtaining advisory services.
- Current agricultural advisory entities for the period 2023-2027
- Subsidies for the provision of agricultural advisory services, within the framework of the National Strategic Plan for the CAP 2023-2027, for Aragon - 2025 Call
INSTRUMENTS FOR DYNAMIZATION
The strongest links in research and knowledge generation, and to a lesser extent in dissemination, are articulated through researchers at research centers. Knowledge transfer and dissemination to the sector are primarily carried out by centers such as the CSCV (Center for Plant Health and Certification) and the CTA , as well as the Agrifood Innovation and Transfer Service. These three institutions are the focal point for managing AKIS-related interventions. Forums, conferences, and similar activities act as a means of fundraising and disseminating research results.
The relationships between research institutions and other private stakeholders in the system are relatively weak, largely because they have limited technical teams to generate scientific knowledge. They generate scientific knowledge, but in some cases, it is neither applicable nor directly usable to solve the sector's problems. Furthermore, the dissemination they provide is often highly specialized, in line with their research activity. However, joint participation in events, for example, in their participation in RDP cooperation groups, demonstrates a collaborative intent and strengthens the synergy with the agri-food sector.
The sector faces the challenge of revitalization by generating synergies and implementing financial, public, and joint efforts, established in collaboration agreements that materialize innovative projects for the development of the agricultural sector, compliance with agricultural policy, and the needs of consumers, producers, and processors.
