Galicia

Galicia covers an area of 29,574 ^km2 , of which more than 97.8% is rural. Less than a third of the total area is cultivated land, and more than two-thirds is forestry. The average farm size is 8.2 ha; more than 63% of farms are less than 5 ha, and only 10% are larger than 20 ha. The three most important crops are tomatoes, bell peppers, chard, and cabbage. The fodder area in Galicia accounts for 28.1% of the total in Spain, demonstrating the importance of the livestock sector in this region.

At the national level, Galicia represents great potential in the livestock sector, primarily in subsectors such as dairy and beef cattle, pork, and poultry. Other subsectors such as rabbit farming, beekeeping, and fur farming also play an important role in rural economic development.

The agri-food industry is strategic in Galicia, as it is a key element in the development of the agricultural sector and the promotion of rural areas. The food industry is characterized by the small size of its companies, which offer a wide variety of quality products ( European Commission (2023).

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 Vigo .
University of A Coruña .
University of Santiago de Compostela .
Mabegondo Agricultural Research Centre ( CIAM ): Applied and basic research focused on the preferred lines of research of the agri-food resources and technologies programmes.
Galician Viticulture and Oenology Station ( EVEGA ): Its mission is to promote the technological development of the Galician wine sector through applied research, advice to winegrowers and bottlers, and training activities.
Juana de Vega Foundation .

Public sector agents

Regional Ministry of Rural Environment : a public institution that administers the Community's agricultural, livestock, agri-food, and rural development responsibilities. Training and Transfer .
Galician Rural Development Agency ( AGADER ): Agency whose purpose is to improve the quality and living conditions of rural inhabitants while contributing to the cohesion of the Galician territory through four lines of aid: expansion and modernization of non-agricultural companies, creation, improvement and expansion of local basic services, road improvement plans and LEADER aid.
Galician Food Quality Agency ( AGACAL ): Government agency responsible for promoting and protecting the differential quality of Galician food products covered by various quality indicators and for enhancing the quality of agricultural and forestry production.
Empresa Pública de Servizos Agrarios Galegos, SA ( SEAGA ): Among other functions, it is responsible for the planning, management, administration, and supervision of livestock, veterinary, and animal health and safety services. Implementation and restoration of pastures.
Galician Innovation Agency ( GAIN ): Institution committed to transforming the economic model into a competitive and sustainable economy, based on knowledge and talent.
Regional Agricultural Sections (65).

Agents dedicated to training

Agricultural and vocational training schools. A list of institutes and centers can be found here .

Agents of the agri-food sector

Quality Experiences : 36 products with designation of origin and Protected Geographical Indication.
Galician Network of Emerging Risks and Food Safety ( RISEGAL ).
Meat Technology Center ( CTC ): Foundation that aims to boost and improve the competitive capacity of the Galician agri-food sector.
Galicia food cluster ( CLUSAGA ).
Galician Association of Agri-Food Cooperatives ( AGACA ): It brings together 73 agricultural cooperatives .
Professional Colleges of Agricultural Engineers , Agricultural Technicians of A Coruña and Pontevedra , Lugo , Ourense , and Veterinarians of A Coruña , Lugo , Ourense and Pontevedra .
Galician agri-food companies: directory of the Ministry.
Agrarian Professional Organizations (OPAs): Laborer Union-COAG ; ASAGA ; Agrarian Unions-UPA , XESTIÓN AGROGANDEIRA GALEGA (XEAGRO), XERUGA .
Institute of Agrarian Biodiversity and Rural Development ( IBADER )

Other agents

Instruments and tools for the dynamization of the AKIS

GALLEGO RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PLAN 2022 - 2024

The Galician Research and Innovation Plan is the Xunta de Galicia's instrumental framework for advancing the strategic objectives and programs included in Galicia's RIS3 during the 2022-2024 period. The "Integra," "Innova y emprende," and "Completa y transferencia" programs in this Plan incentivize innovation and knowledge transfer for the development of the Galician economy, including the agricultural sector.

GALICIA'S SMART SPECIALIZATION STRATEGY (RIS3) 2021-2027

The RIS3 (Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization), for the period 2021-2027, addresses three major challenges facing the Galician economy and society through R&D&I. To address these challenges, the strategy directs Galicia's research and innovation capabilities and efforts toward three cross-cutting thematic priorities, and strengthens and promotes the Galician innovation ecosystem through five strategic objectives, around which it articulates the instruments and actions to be developed and integrated into the corresponding programs.

In this context, the first challenge of RIS3 is to develop a natural and cultural resource management model based on innovation and the modernization of Galicia's primary sectors, introducing innovations that impact the improvement of efficiency and performance in the use of endogenous resources. In relation to this challenge, three priorities for advancing the necessary process of modernizing traditional activities are sustainability, digitalization, and a focus on people.

Priority 1, "Sustainability," of the RIS3, includes the application of scientific and technological solutions to the circular economy and the food economy, focusing on precision agriculture and livestock farming through the Prioritization Areas of Agricultural Biotechnology and More Sustainable Raw Materials, Products, Packaging, and Containers in the Food Value Chain. Likewise, Priority Areas of Priority 2, "Digitalization," include the technical and digitalization of the primary sector. Finally, within Priority 3, "Focus on People," the Prioritization Areas include Healthy and Functional Human Food and Animal Health.

CAP 2023-2027

Within the scope of the Common Agricultural Policy, Galicia allocates the following budget and actions to four of the interventions most directly linked to AKIS:

7161 (Cooperation of EIP operational groups): €8 million.
7162 (Cooperation not related to EIP operational groups): €11 million.
7201 (Training): €8.1 million.
7202 (Consulting): €7.5 million.

DYNAMICS BETWEEN AGENTS

The development of the Galician agricultural sector requires continued innovation to increase the added value of products through cooperation and alliances that expand the possibilities for innovation, processing, and marketing.

New environmental, technological, and commercial challenges are a stimulus to develop public-private synergies through innovative projects in which large and small producers, processors, marketers, universities, and researchers interact, creating an active regional AKIS system where experiences, innovations, and knowledge flow, increasing the competitiveness and sustainability of products in the national and international markets. Among the activities carried out within the regional system are those focused on modernization and digitalization, training, specialized advice, and the dissemination of ready-to-use experiences and knowledge.

Finally, the dynamics of the regional system favor the territorial articulation and consolidation of the social fabric with the participation of public and private organizations, advisors, and the Local Action and Rural Development Groups ( Viewer of Operational Groups and Innovative Projects of the RedPAC ).

INTEGRATION OF ADVISORY IN AKIS

Aid for the provision of advisory services to individuals or legal entities owning agricultural or livestock farms is an important lever for improving the sustainable management and overall performance of agricultural holdings.

Only private entities recognized or authorized as advisory service providers registered in the Registry of Advisory or Management Service Entities of Galicia and providing services to agricultural holding owners registered in the Registry of Agricultural Holdings of Galicia may be beneficiaries.

Of particular interest is the technical advisory mechanism of the Galician Viticulture and Enology Station (EVEGA) . Questions and answers to the advisory mechanism are available on its website .