Murcia, Region of

The Murcia AKIS system is implemented within a territorial framework in which 32% of the region's surface area is used for cultivation through 24,800 farms (44% is forested area and 12% is meadows and pastures) and where 59% of the farms are equal to or less than 5 ha. ( Regional Statistics Centre of Murcia ).

In 2022, of the region's 363,292 hectares of cultivated land, 53% are rainfed and 47% are irrigated. Its agricultural production includes cauliflower and broccoli, lettuce, lemon, almond, peach, olive, and vineyards. Livestock farming in the region of Murcia is largely represented by the pig population (55%), followed by a significant poultry subsector (28%) ( Murcia Regional Statistics Center ).

The Region of Murcia has a leading agri-food sector, driven by exports and generating employment and innovation. The conglomerate comprised of primary production, its processing, and marketing contributes more than 20% of the regional GDP. Its capacity includes the production of a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and nuts, as well as canning companies, meat and dairy industries, cheeses, wines, and seafood.

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 knowledge generation

University of Murcia .
Catholic University of Murcia ( UCAM ).
Polytechnic University of Cartagena ( UPCT ).
Murcian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research and Development ( IMIDA ). It offers the following services :

- IMIDA Germplasm Bank ( BAGERIM ).

- Health Certification of Vine .

-FrutIMIDA : Groups the different varieties of fruit developed by IMIDA and which can be purchased through authorized nurseries.

- Conservation vegetation barrier design tool for erosion reduction: Development of interoperable visualization services for reducing the impact of agriculture on the Mar Menor, through the implementation of Conservation Vegetation Structures (CVS) and vegetation strips to reduce erosion on agricultural holdings.

- Oenological laboratory .

- Agrometeorological Information System of the Region of Murcia ( SIAM ).

- Vitis-IMIDA : Catalogue of new wine grape varieties obtained and selected at the Murcian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research and Development.

Segura Center for Soil Science and Applied Biology ( CEBAS) : A multidisciplinary CSIC center that carries out research in three related scientific and technical areas: Agricultural Sciences, Food Science and Technology, and Natural Resources.
National Technological Center for Preservation and Food ( CTNC ).

Public sector agents

Ministry of Water, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries : public institution that administers the responsibilities of agriculture, livestock, agri-food and fisheries in the Community.
Regional Agricultural Sections (11) and Agricultural Demonstration Centers ( CDA ).
Institute for the Development of the Region of Murcia : Economic development agency of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, responsible for promoting and developing the business community, stimulating the competitiveness, innovation, and productivity of regional companies.
Murcia Agricultural Innovation Office ( AGRINNOVA ). Its mission is to train and inform innovation agents, with the functions of promoting and supporting the creation of consortia and the preparation of proposals leading to operational groups and innovation projects.

Agents dedicated to training

Vocational agricultural training centers and institutes in the Region of Murcia.
ENAE Business School .

Agents of the agri-food sector

Quality products “Murcia Feed your Senses”: DO ., Protected Geographical Indications .
Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives of Murcia ( FECOAM ) and Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Societies of Murcia ( FECAMUR ).
Professional Colleges of Agricultural Engineers, Agricultural Technicians and Veterinarians .
Professional Agricultural Organizations (OPAs): ASAJA-Murcia , UPA-Murcia , COAG IR-Murcia .

Other agents

Instruments and tools for the dynamization of the AKIS

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE REGION OF MURCIA 2022-2027

The Strategic Plan includes five operational areas, including among its objectives: increasing the competitiveness and productivity of companies by increasing their R&D&I capacity, the transfer of technology and knowledge, the development of mechanisms to strengthen university-business relationships, and the strengthening of advisory services for business aid through European programs. Among the multiple Strategic Lines proposed, those most closely related to the primary sector are: Promoting a greater role for primary production aligned with healthy eating and respectful of natural processes, and Supporting new agricultural establishments.

Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart and Sustainable Specialization 2021-2027 ( RIS4 )

The Strategy identifies the Murcian agri-food sector as a leading sector. In addition to the core activities of agriculture, livestock, fishing, and the food industry, it also includes those related to the water cycle (its treatment, purification, and management), the environment, and logistics and transportation. In this context, the AKIS system is reflected in the strategic objectives of the "Capacities" line of specialization by promoting the generation and transfer of knowledge and the assimilation of advanced technologies, and by fostering entrepreneurship and business creation by leveraging knowledge. Likewise, the "Hybridization" strategic line establishes as a strategic objective the promotion of cooperative and multidisciplinary R&D&I among all public and private stakeholders, the fostering of a culture of innovation and social innovation, and the promotion of and participation in networks, an aspect of particular relevance in the development of the AKIS system in the Region.

CAP 2023-2027

Within the scope of the common agricultural policy, the Region of Murcia allocates the following budget and actions to three of the interventions most directly linked to AKIS:

7161 (Cooperation of EIP operational groups): €4.8 million.
7201 (Knowledge sharing and information dissemination): €6.31 million.
7202 (Advice): €3.83 million.

TOOLS FOR DYNAMIZATION

The Murcia AKIS system is part of the region's strategic development and specialization initiatives. In this sense, the sustainability and development of the Murcia agricultural sector is based on the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and innovations translated into innovative projects and high-value-added products embodied in RIS4 initiatives and programs. In this regard, institutional cooperation and alliances among AKIS system stakeholders improve and stimulate the competitiveness of local products in the national and international markets.

As a result of collaboration between AKIS system agents in the community, actions have been promoted aimed at modernization and digitalization, training, specialized advice, and the dissemination of ready-to-use experiences and knowledge: thematic innovation circles, forums and events for exchanging business needs, etc.

Finally, the synergies originating in 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 ).

INNOVATION AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER

Technical Conferences

Technical workshops are part of the activities carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture to transfer to the agri-food sector the knowledge generated through demonstration fields, innovation projects, or other innovative topics that may be of interest to farmers, ranchers, or technicians in their daily work. In this section, you can view the presentations from workshops held in recent years at IMIDA .

Integration of counseling in AKIS

Only public or private, non-profit entities that provide SAE services, directly related to the agricultural, agri-food, and forestry sectors, whose scope of activity is in the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, and which have adequate human and material resources to carry out advisory activities, may apply for assistance.