Agricultural advice is consolidating as a strategic pillar of AKIS in Spain and Europe

The conference “Agricultural advice as the core of AKIS in Spain and Europe” , organized by the AKIS Advisors Platform together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), brought together national and international experts on April 28 at La Vega Innova to analyze the key role of advice in the transformation of the agri-food sector.

The meeting was opened by the Secretary of State for Agriculture and Food, Begoña García Bernal , who emphasized that if “we want a better future,” it is essential to prioritize advisory services and training. During her address, she defined the AKIS system as an ecosystem that integrates government agencies, research centers, and industry stakeholders with the aim of improving knowledge generation and transfer.

In this context, he highlighted the role of agricultural advisory services as a bridge between innovation and decision-making on farms , facilitating a more effective adoption of new practices and technologies. He also emphasized its function as a tool for territorial cohesion and support for SMEs, cooperatives, professionals in the sector, and the self-employed.

A program focused on the present and future of counseling

The day featured a comprehensive program structured in different thematic blocks, which addressed both the current situation and the future prospects of agricultural advice.

Following the institutional inauguration, Isabel Bombal Díaz, Director General of Rural Development, Innovation and Agri-food Training at MAPA, presented La Vega Innova as a space for connecting the AKIS ecosystem and highlighted the AKIS Advisors Platform (akisplataforma.es) as a key tool for knowledge transfer and the digitization of advice.

The discussion then turned to the role of advisors in the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP 2028–2034), with a presentation by Marta Iglesias of the European Commission. She reaffirmed the advisor's central role within the AKIS (Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System), which is evolving towards a profile increasingly linked to knowledge facilitation. The future CAP will strengthen advisors' skills, impartiality, and connection to innovation.

System diagnosis and strategic vision

The analysis of the situation of consulting in Spain (CAP 2023–2027), presented by CDI Consultants, made it possible to identify strengths such as the capillarity of the system and public funding, as well as relevant challenges such as fragmentation, bureaucratic burden and dependence on European funds.

For her part, Inge Van Oost provided a strategic vision focused on improving the effectiveness of advisory systems, highlighting the importance of public-private models, integration within AKIS, a greater connection between research and practice, and the strengthening of continuing education and professionalization of the advisor.

International reference models

The event also provided an opportunity to learn about outstanding international experiences. Ireland's TEAGASC model was presented as an integrated system that combines research, advice, and training, with a strong practical focus and a direct relationship with farmers.

In contrast, the Netherlands model, presented by Yaité Cuesta, showed a market-oriented and demand-based system, with highly specialized advisors and mechanisms such as voucher systems, which contribute to guaranteeing the quality and professionalization of the service.

Networked consulting and thematic specialization

The network advisory sessions highlighted the work of the Spanish AKIS thematic groups, addressing areas such as sustainable nutrition, innovation, plant health, youth advice, and organic production.

The connection with European Horizon Europe projects and thematic networks was also highlighted, underscoring its key role in the transfer of innovation and in building a more connected and collaborative AKIS system.

Training and professionalization of the advisor

The day included a panel discussion focused on the training of agricultural advisors, where aspects such as skills, certification, and service quality were analyzed. In a context of increasing professionalization, the need to strengthen continuing education, specialization, and recognition of the agricultural advisor's role was highlighted.

The meeting concluded with a networking space that fostered the exchange of knowledge between advisors, researchers and professionals in the sector, consolidating advice as a key element within the AKIS system.

Boosting generational change and digitalization

During her speech, Begoña García Bernal insisted that generational change requires not only facilitating access to resources such as land or financing, but also supporting young people before, during and after their entry into the sector, through a solid system of advice and training.

In this regard, he highlighted the call for aid for advice on digitalization of the agri-food and forestry sector, endowed with 4.7 million euros, aimed at promoting new business models linked to digitalization and industry 4.0.

A key meeting for the AKIS ecosystem

The AKIS Advisors Platform, co-organizer of the event, has highlighted this day as a benchmark space to strengthen collaboration between actors in the system, share knowledge and advance the professionalization of agricultural advice in Spain and Europe.

This meeting confirms the role of advice as a backbone of AKIS and as an essential tool to accelerate innovation, improve sustainability and guarantee the competitiveness of the agri-food sector in the coming years.