Asturias, Principality of

In Asturian agriculture, the majority of the cultivated area is apple trees, and to a lesser extent, other small fruits such as blueberries and other fruit varieties. Furthermore, the Asturian agricultural sector's distinctive feature is its tradition of cattle breeding for the production of milk and dairy products, and meat. Additionally, the agri-food sector is one of the strategic economic pillars of Asturias, ranking second in regional industrial production, contributing €1.7 billion to the regional Gross Domestic Product ( Government of the Principality of Asturias (2022) Smart Specialization Strategy of the Principality of Asturias 2021-2027 ).

In relative terms, the primary sector's share of Asturias' Gross Value Added has been declining in recent years, reaching 1.32% in 2021. This trend is associated with structural problems linked to a small territorial base that impacts production capacity. This productive context raises a series of challenges for the maintenance and development of the agricultural sector: restructuring of the agricultural sector's agricultural sector (SAU), expanding activity to underutilized areas, and diversifying towards more profitable crops per hectare. ( Government of the Principality of Asturias (2015). Competitiveness strategy for the primary sector and economic development of rural Asturias: 16 ).

The regional AKIS is represented by a group of public and private agents grouped together and interacting with each other:

The image shows the groups of public and private agents in a regional AKIS:

Agents that generate knowledge.
Public sector agents.
Agents dedicated to training.
Agents of the agri-food sector.
Other AKIS agents.

AKIS agents and interactions

Agents dedicated to the generation of knowledge

University of Oviedo
Regional Service for Agri-Food Research and Development ( SERIDA ): a public body whose purpose is to contribute to the modernization and improvement of the regional agri-food sector's capabilities by promoting and implementing agri-food research and technological development. The Regional Service's territorial structure includes two experimental centers, two stations, and one farm distributed across several municipalities.
Dairy Products Institute of Asturias ( IPLA ) : institute belonging to the Food Science and Technology area of the CSIC focused on research into dairy products.
Joint Institute for Biodiversity Research ( IMIB ): IMIB investigates the impact of environmental changes caused by human activities on biodiversity, ecological and evolutionary processes.

Public sector agents

Ministry of Rural Environment and Agricultural Policy : public institution that administers responsibilities in agriculture, livestock, agri-food, rural development, and fisheries in the Autonomous Community.
Foundation for the Promotion of Applied Scientific Research and Technology in Asturias (FICYT ).
Regional Agricultural Offices ( OCA ).
Asturian Science, Business Competitiveness and Innovation Agency (SEKUENS ): Its purpose is to promote innovative ecosystems that attract talent and investment, enabling the creation of new companies and research groups.
Council for Organic Agricultural Production of the Principality of Asturias (COPAE ): management entity for carrying out official control of organic production.

Agents dedicated to training

Agricultural and vocational training schools. You can consult a list of institutes and centers by clicking here.

Agents of the agri-food sector

Asturian Agri-Food Cooperatives: is the organization that brings together and defends the economic and social interests of the Asturian agri-food cooperative movement, represented by 10 Cooperatives .
Meat Industries Association (ASINCAR): Agri-Food Cluster and Agri-Food Technology Center . An association of companies in the agri-food sector focused on addressing the demands, concerns, and opportunities of its members.
Asturian Dairy Control Association ( ASCOL ): Brings together more than 800 milk producers.
Asturian Cider Association (ASSA).
Asturian Association of Cider Apple Growers (AACOMASI).
Foods from Natural Paradise : DOP, PGI. Organic Agricultural Production.
Professional Colleges of Agricultural Engineers, Agricultural Technicians and Veterinarians .
Professional Agricultural Organizations (OPAs): COAG-Asturias , ASAJA , UCA-UPA-Asturias , Union of Agricultural Sectors of Asturias ( USAGA ) and Asturian Rural Union ( URA ).

Other agents

Asturian Rural Development Network ( READER ).
Rural Development /Local Action Groups.
Asturias Digital Innovation Hub ( AsDIH ): promoted by the Government of the Principality of Asturias, it coordinates the resources available in the region to accelerate the digitalization process of the Asturian industry and is a space for companies to experiment with technology.
Asturias Technology Park .
European Business and Innovation Centre ( EBIC ): a non-profit association that supports the launch and growth of innovative, technology-based companies in various areas of specialization, such as the Bioeconomy.

Instruments and tools for the dynamization of the AKIS

REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The Principality's R&D&I ecosystem is part of the Science, Technology and Innovation Plan, which aims to organize and guide innovation, research, and knowledge activities, and the Smart Specialization Strategy for Asturias 2021-2027, which recognizes "Agri-Food" as an area of specialization within the Strategy. The objective is to transform Asturias into a strategic benchmark for green and digital agri-food production.

CAP 2023-2027

In the area of interventions directly linked to AKIS, Asturias has budgeted €1 million for agricultural advisory services, €1 million for training and knowledge transfer, and €1.06 million for operational groups. You can consult the CAP Strategic Plan (PEPAC) in the Principality of Asturias here .