Estremadura
The agricultural sector is of great importance to the economy of Extremadura, contributing almost 6% of the gross added value and accounting for 9% of regional employment. In terms of surface area, 47.7% of the territory is considered rural: arable land occupies 55.4%; pastures, 15.7%; and forests, 7.4%. The main plant products are cereals, vegetables, fruit, grapes, olives and tobacco.
The Extremadura livestock population is mainly composed of sheep and pigs, and to a lesser extent cattle and goats. As regards livestock farming, 90% of the regional production is extensive and is located in the "dehesa" agroforestry system that covers 25% of the total territory of Extremadura. This region has 65,230 agricultural holdings, with an average size of 39.6 hectares ( European Commission (2024) ) .
The activity of the agri-food sector is in the midst of an evolutionary process from traditional agriculture to a less polluting one that effectively manages waste and focuses on food production with greater added value and differentiated attributes in the markets ( Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization in Extremadura (RIS3): 29 ).
The regional AKIS is represented by a cluster of public and private agents grouped together and interacting with each other:
The image shows the groups of public and private agents of 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 Extremadura .
- Scientific and Technological Research Centre of Extremadura ( CICYTEX ): A body of the Regional Government aimed at improving the coordination of research work in the field of agriculture, livestock, agri-food and pastureland and serving as support to the Extremadura business sector for the incorporation of R&D&I into its production processes. Institutions affiliated to the Centre:
- Agri-Food Technology Institute of Extremadura ( INTAEX ). Affiliated to CICYTEX, the aim of its work is to increase the competitiveness of the agri-food sector by promoting innovation and technological development in SMEs, improving the quality of their products.
- Finca La Orden – Valdesequera Agricultural Research Institute : Attached to CICYTEX, its activities focus on supporting the Extremadura agricultural sector in R&D&I through applied research projects tailored to the needs of the field, training of research staff, and the transfer of knowledge generated at its facilities.
- Center for Ecological and Mountain Agriculture ( CAEM ): Attached to CICYTEX, the Center's main line of research is fruit growing and irrigation.
- National Agri-Food Technology Centre CTAEX : Private organisation whose objective is to offer common research, development, innovation, analytical, training and information services to contribute to the competitive development of companies in the agri-food sector and to consumer safety.
- Iberian pig R&D centre . INIA unit focused on applied aspects, such as genetic improvement programmes based on markers or racial and food traceability.
- Animal Selection and Reproduction Center of Extremadura ( CENSYRA ).
Public sector agents
- Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Sustainable Development : public institution that administers the powers in agriculture, livestock, agri-food and rural development of the Community.
- Regional Agricultural Sections (52).
Agents dedicated to training
- Agricultural and vocational training schools. You can consult a list of institutes and centres here .
Agents of the agri-food sector
- Food from Extremadura: products and designations of origin .
- Agro-Food Cooperatives Extremadura (183): agricultural , livestock , supplies and CAP .
- Professional Colleges of Agricultural Engineers , Agricultural Technicians, Cáceres , Badajoz and Veterinarians Cáceres , Badajoz .
- Professional Agricultural Organizations (OPAs):Agricultural Coordinator COAG Extremadura , APAG-Extremadura ASAJA , UPA-UCE Extremadura , The Union of Farmers and Ranchers of Extremadura ; Aequum Agrum.
Other agents
- Extremadura Rural Development Network ( REDEX ).
- Local Action Groups (25).
- Operational Groups .
- Extremadura Avante : A group of public companies whose objective is to provide services to Extremadura companies in the different stages of their development, so that they can be more competitive, promoting industrial and business development in Extremadura.
- FENDECYT Foundation - Extremadura Science and Technology Park .
- European Business and Innovation Center ( CEEI ).
Instruments and tools for the dynamization of the AKIS
EXTREMADURA 2030. ACTION PLAN OF THE EXTREMADURA REGIONAL GOVERNMENT
The operational objectives of thematic axis 3 of the Action Plan are to promote the incorporation of new technologies, research and the transfer of results to the agricultural sector to improve productivity, facilitate relations between research centres and farmers for the transfer of new knowledge and the establishment of training plans aimed at farmers and ranchers for the modernisation of farms, sustainable management and transition to the economy.
This Action Plan includes 24 Strategic Lines. Among them, related to the agri-food sector, we can highlight 9. Agriculture and livestock, 16. Sustainable rural development or 22. Healthy food, responsible green consumption.
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION STRATEGY FOR INTELLIGENT SPECIALIZATION IN EXTREMADURA (RIS3) 2021-2027
The Extremadura specialisation pattern of the RIS3 Strategy identifies the agri-food sector as a priority for promoting an intelligent and economically sustainable food chain.
Pact for science and technology in Extremadura
Tripartite agreement in which the parties undertake to promote innovation and knowledge transfer within the framework of the Extremadura System of Science, Technology and Innovation (SECTI).
CAP 2023-2027
In the field of the common agricultural policy, Extremadura allocates the following budget and actions to three of the interventions most directly linked to AKIS:
- 7161 (Cooperation of EIP operational groups): €4.94 million. Eligible expenses: this intervention may finance, among others, the following categories of expenses:
- Project preparation phase:
- Costs of personnel assigned to the project
- Indirect costs: non-justifiable general costs (e.g. rent, water, electricity, etc.), up to 15% of eligible direct personnel costs
- Provision of services
- Other expenses: travel, consumables, etc.
- Project execution phase:
- Costs of personnel assigned to the project
- Indirect costs: non-justifiable general costs (e.g. rent, water, electricity, etc.), up to 15% of eligible direct personnel costs
- Provision of services
- Capital goods, infrastructure and prototypes: purchase, rental or amortization in case of purchase
- Consumable material
- Travel and maintenance
- Other expenses: intellectual and industrial property, audits, translations, event registrations, expenses for disseminating project results, coordination expenses, etc.
- 7201 (Training): €1.80 million.
- 7202 (Consulting): €7.5 million.
TOOLS FOR DYNAMIZATION
The synergies established through public-private collaboration give dimension and character to the Extremadura regional AKIS system. In this sense, the development of the agricultural sector requires continued innovation to increase the added value of Extremadura food, specialization in quality products and integrating the activity of small producers through cooperation or alliances that expand the possibilities of innovation, transformation and marketing.
Understanding current situations, trends and structural circumstances stimulates public-private linkages through innovative projects by large and small producers, processors, marketers and researchers. In this sense, the governance of the regional knowledge and innovation transfer system (AKIS) within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan 2023-2027 (PEPAC) strengthens the purpose of increasing sectoral competitiveness and sustainability with modernization and digitalization activities, training, specialized advice and dissemination of experiences and knowledge ready to be used.
Finally, the dynamics of the regional system also contribute to the articulation and territorial fixation of the social fabric with ventures and initiatives involving public and private organizations, consultants, and Local Action and Rural Development Groups ( RedPAC Operational Groups and Innovative Projects Viewer ). These agents, within their framework of action and resources, facilitate the transfer of knowledge, experiences and innovations and impact the productivity and competitiveness of the sector and the social economy.
INTEGRATION OF ADVISORY IN AKIS
Aid for advice is an important lever for improving the sustainable management and overall performance of agricultural holdings. Entities providing advisory services must extend their activity from the diagnosis of the situation to the proposal and implementation of improvements in various areas: legal management requirements, relating to public health, animal health, plant health, the environment and animal welfare; good agricultural and environmental conditions; initiation of activity by young farmers; modernisation of farms, optimisation of water and energy resources, saving of means of production, job security, promotion of tools and technological innovations, marketing, business management and diversification of the agricultural economy, promotion of crops and techniques that make greater agricultural productivity and competitiveness compatible with environmental preservation, reduction of greenhouse gases and adaptation to climate change, substitution of fossil fuels and improvement of energy efficiency, more efficient use of water, conservation of biodiversity and improvement of the competitiveness of the dairy sector.
In Extremadura, aid can be requested by entities with legal personality that meet a series of requirements and include in their corporate purpose the provision of assistance and advice to farmers and ranchers.
