Andalusia

Andalusian agricultural production accounts for 25.7% of national agricultural production ( Junta de Andalucía (2022). The agricultural and fishing sector in Andalusia ). In terms of distribution, vegetables are the most representative crops, accounting for more than 40% of national tomato production, 92.9% of strawberry production, practically all cotton production, and around 70% of olive oil and durum wheat production. Likewise, orange and rice cultivation represent 51.6% and 39% of the national production. The most important livestock herds in Andalusia are pigs and sheep, with almost 2.8 and 2.3 million head respectively. Finally, the Andalusian agri-food sector has a significant specific weight in local industrial turnover and employment with 22% and 25% respectively ( Unicaja (2022). The Agricultural Sector in Andalusia 2021 ).

Innovation, creation, and knowledge transfer in the Andalusian agricultural sector are articulated through the Andalusian Research, Development, and Innovation Strategy (EIDIA) 2021-2027 , which was conceived as a document that guides public R&D&I policies across all economic sectors. Within the Strategy, the Andalusian Knowledge System (SAC) comprises those entities that support, collaborate, and project research activities and results produced in Andalusia. In this sense, SAC agents are those groups of people, institutions, organizations, and entities involved in the processes of generation, transmission, transformation, utilization, and dissemination of knowledge:

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

Universities : A dozen Andalusian universities constitute the main agent of the knowledge system by integrating 86% of the more than 2,200 research groups (GI) registered in the Community ( Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (2022). Characterization of the agricultural and fishing sector of Andalusia ).
International Agri-Food Campus of Excellence ( ceiA3 ).
Andalusian Technology Corporation ( CTA ): brings together top researchers from universities and research centers, innovative companies, financial institutions operating in Andalusia, and the Public Administration.
OTRI Andalusia Network: brings together the Research Results Transfer Offices of the various public universities in Andalusia.
Andalusian Foundation for the Dissemination of Innovation and Knowledge ( Discover ).
Network of Technological Spaces of Andalusia (RETA).
Network of Spaces for Scientific and Technical Dissemination of Andalusia ( RECTA ).
Agents of the Andalusian Knowledge System.

Public sector agents

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development: a public institution that administers responsibilities in agriculture, livestock, agri-food, and fisheries in the Autonomous Community.
Institute for Research and Training in Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Organic Production ( IFAPA ) and its 16 centers distributed throughout the Community.
Andalusian Environment and Water Agency ( AMAYA ): provides environmental and water services in Andalusia, carrying out activities related to the protection, conservation, regeneration or improvement of the environment and water.
Andalusian Agricultural and Fisheries Management Agency ( AGAPA ).
Andalusian Knowledge Agency ( AAC ): public agency responsible for universities, scientific and technical research, and knowledge transfer.
Innovation and Development Agency of Andalusia ( IDEA ).
Andalusian Energy Agency ( AAE ): an agency that promotes a new energy culture among individuals, businesses, and administrations, spreading knowledge about savings, energy efficiency, and renewable sources, and popularizing the efficient use of energy.
Regional Agricultural Offices ( OCA ).

Agents dedicated to training

Agricultural and vocational training schools . A list of institutes and centers can be found here.
IFAPA Training and Transfer Activities Portal .

Agents of the agri-food sector

Andalusian Agri-Food Cooperatives : An organization that brings together and defends the economic and social interests of the Andalusian agri-food cooperative movement.
European Institute of Mediterranean Nutrition ( IEAMED ): center that promotes Mediterranean nutrition.
Professional Colleges of Agricultural Engineers, Agricultural Technicians and Veterinarians .
Professional Agricultural Organizations (OPAs): COAG-Andalusia , ASAJA , UPA-Andalusia .
Interprofessional Agri-Food Organizations : Hortyfruta, Interfresa, Baena Designation of Origin Virgin Olive Oil, Aloreña Olives, Cotton.
Fruit and vegetable producing organizations ( OPFH ).
Andalusia Agrotech, Digital Innovation Hub
Priority Agro-Food Associative Entities of Andalusia ( EAPAs ).
Andalusian Food Business Association, Landaluz .
OIL-FREE .

Other agents

Association of Entrepreneurs of Southern Spain CESUR .
Cartuja Science and Technology Park, SA .
Association of Technology Centers of Andalusia (ACENTA): CIAC , CICAP , CIDAF , CITOLIVA , TECNOVA .
Public Business Agency for the Transformation and Economic Development of Andalusia, known as " Andalusia TRADE ": brings together all support activities for the business sector to promote economic transformation, investment promotion, internationalization, innovation, R&D&I, knowledge transfer, entrepreneurship, and self-employment.
Association for Rural Development of Andalusia ( ARA ): association of all Rural Development Groups in Andalusia.

Instruments and tools for the dynamization of the AKIS

Andalusian Research, Development and Innovation Strategy

The Andalusian Research, Development, and Innovation Strategy (EIDIA Horizon 2027) represents the Andalusian Government's firm commitment to R&D&I as the foundation of economic growth in the region—a competitive, sustainable, and inclusive growth firmly underpinned by science and knowledge. The adoption of a viable economic model inevitably requires research, development, and innovation to ensure that future generations are not compromised and that progress is made under the premise of comprehensive sustainability, achieving lasting, fair, and viable growth in Andalusia.

The EIDIA is conceived as a guiding document to orient public R&D&I policies in the community over the next six years, and is the instrument for programming, coordinating, promoting and evaluating research policy in the community, replacing the previous Andalusian Plan for Research, Development and Innovation - PAIDI 2020 .

Its development has been approached from an integrative perspective, in line with the provisions of the main regional, national, and European public plans and strategies for science and innovation, but also with other documents governing various sectoral policies that impact, to a greater or lesser extent, the advancement of R&D&I or are based on it.

Among these instruments is the Smart Specialization Strategy for the Sustainability of Andalusia, S4Andalucia 2021-2027 , which is the regional instrument for planning, execution, development and evaluation of public actions in the areas of research, innovation and industrial transition, digitalization, training, entrepreneurship and cooperation for specialization with a transversal perspective of sustainability and the fight against Climate Change in the European Cohesion Framework 2021-2027. One of the five Specialization Environments of the S4Andalucia Strategy is Agrotechnology, which in turn is made up of the Sub-environments Green and Blue Economy and Agri-food Industry - Functional Food.

CAP 2023-2027

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

7161 (Cooperation of EIP operational groups): €18 million.
7201 (Training): €13.17 million.
7202 (Advice): €32.69 million.

GROW

GROW It is a program of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development through the Agricultural and Fisheries Management Agency of Andalusia. It provides agricultural, livestock, and fishing companies, and rural SMEs in the region, with a free, personalized advisory service to promote the smart and sustainable development of their businesses. It is, therefore, a personalized advisory service for the digital transformation of the agricultural sector and rural SMEs. It begins with a self-assessment , followed by a team of experts analyzing the case and preparing a report with recommendations.

TOOLS FOR DYNAMIZATION

Andalusia has a broad network of R&D&I-oriented entities that maintain a "direct relationship, to a greater or lesser extent, with the agricultural and agri-food sectors. Collaborative and networking work is one of the hallmarks of this type of entity, linked to other innovation entities and platforms with which they make contacts and establish alliances to work together." ( Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (2022). Characterization of the agricultural and fishing sector of Andalusia : 350-1).

The 2,200 Research Groups, 46 Operational Groups , Local Action Groups , 47 Rural Development Groups, Networks , Platforms, Hubs, public entities, companies and agricultural organizations develop associative and cooperative activities through innovative thematic projects and productive approaches using digital tools, publications, and social networks, and organizing seminars, face-to-face or virtual meetings that ultimately contribute to the development of the regional system of innovation and knowledge transfer within and outside the Community.