Catalonia

The Catalan agri-food sector is a pillar of the economic structure of the Community and of Spain, with a significant foreign trade projection. Innovation in the sector is comparatively higher than the average in Spain and innovative companies in the sector usually collaborate with suppliers, public research centres and universities. Consequently, the Catalan agri-food sector has a robust AKIS system.

The AKIS system presents a broad set of agents that promote research, innovation and knowledge transfer and that interact 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

AGROTECNIO UDL: Scientific research at Agrotecnio is based on a wide range of disciplines such as agricultural sciences, the environment, animals, food and nutrition.
Catalan Forest Science and Technology Centre (CTFC) : Centre focused on sustainable forest management, biodiversity and the circular economy.
Porcine Studies Center (CEP).
Centre for Research in Agrigenomics (CRAG) : The centre is dedicated to cutting-edge research on the molecular basis of genetic traits of interest in farm plants and animals, and on the applications of molecular approaches to the breeding of species important for agriculture and food production.
Center for Research in Agri-Food Economics and Development (CREDA) .
Center for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF) : The center's research focuses on contributing to knowledge about conservation and management of the environment and the territory, as well as adaptation to environmental change at local, regional and global scales.
Agricultural Mechanization Center (CMA) : is a technological-administrative unit that carries out its work in the agricultural machinery sector with the aim of increasing the safety of operators and the efficiency of mechanized operations, as well as reducing the effects of machinery on the agricultural environment.
Mediterranean Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CMIMA) .
Food Technology Reference Center (CERTA) : University center specialized in innovation and transfer of technology and knowledge in the area of agri-food, and more specifically in Food Technology.
Center for Genomic Regulation .
Technological Center of Catalonia (EURECAT) .
Wine Technology Centre (VITEC).
BETA Technology Center .
Leitat Technology Center .
Miquel Augustí Foundation .
Catalan Institute of Vineyards and Wine (INCAVI) : Public Research Centre whose objective is to promote quality wines and make them more competitive in domestic and foreign markets, promote research, experimentation and technology transfer, as well as disseminate knowledge of Catalan wines, Designations of Origin and promote wine culture.
Institute for Agri-Food Research and Technology (IRTA) : The institute attached to the Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda has the general objective of promoting research and technological development in the agri-food sector, facilitating the transfer of scientific advances and assessing its own technological advances, seeking maximum coordination and collaboration with the public and private sectors.
Institute of Agri-Food Technology (INTEA) : The aim of the Institute is to promote and enhance research and teaching activities related to the agri-food sector.
Institute for Environmental Diagnosis and Water Studies (IDAEA) : Its research focuses on water cleanliness and availability and air quality.
Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) .
Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) .
University of Lleida (UDL) .
University of Barcelona (UB) .
University of Vic. Central University of Catalonia .
University of Girona (UDG) .
Rovira i Virgili University (URV) .
Livestock Improvement Service (SEMEGA).

Public sector agents

Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food : This is the Catalan government institution that manages agricultural and agri-food issues. There are also other areas and agencies in the regional administration that deal with aspects related to the sector.
Regional Offices .
Local administrations.

Agents dedicated to training

You can consult a list of institutes and vocational training centres in the Community with programmes related to the agricultural sector by clicking here .
You can consult the list of agricultural schools in the Community by clicking here .
Access demonstration activities at Xarxa-i.cat by clicking here .

Agents of the agri-food sector

Promotora d'Explotacions Agroalimentàries (PRODECA) .
Federation of Agri-Food Cooperatives of Catalonia (FCAC) .
Companies.
Business associations.
Professional Agricultural Organizations (OPAs): UPA , ASAJA, COAG-JARC , Union of Farmers .
Professional Colleges: Agronomists , Veterinarians and Agricultural Technicians .

Other agents

Operational Groups .
Local Action Groups .
Catalan Operational Groups in Xarxa-i.cat by clicking here .

Instruments and tools for the dynamization of the AKIS

CAP 2023-2027

In the field of the common agricultural policy, Catalonia allocates the following budget and actions to three of the interventions most directly linked to AKIS:

7161 (Cooperation of EIP operational groups): €15 million.
7201 (Knowledge exchange and information dissemination): €5.50 million.
7202 (Consulting): €5.50 million.

ADVICE

The advisory model includes an Advisory Program defined by a set of agents including entities, advisory offices and advisors, supported by an online Advisory Office from which various services can be accessed, including the RuralCat Advisory Entity Registration System.

Diagram of advisors involved in defining the Advisory Program.

Innovation Advisory Program: Innova 2030 Plan . Innovation strategy for the agri-food and forestry sector

The Innova 2030 Plan aims to provide Catalonia with the necessary tools to improve the agri-food innovation system and its capacity to respond to its challenges and strategies, and is structured through two lines of intervention:

Diagram of lines and actions for group and individual intervention of the Innovation Advisory Program

Open/group consulting including training, demonstration activities, publications, xarxa-i.cat , canal aliments, technical visits, and other actions.

Individualized counseling (INNOTRACK) which subsidizes the hiring of counseling services provided by Universities, Research Centers, counseling entities, among others, according to five types of aid. (email: assessorament.daam@gencat.cat).

Youth and Entrepreneurs Advisory Program

The programme includes training itineraries, a mentoring programme, facilitators and online advice, technical advice, aimed at creating a business, living labs, etc.

Other lines of action of the program are networking actions (“ Aplec de joves al camp ”), a hackathon , prizes, participation in fairs, talent recruitment, among others.

Food Strategy and Strategic Food Plan of Catalonia (PEAC) 2021-2026

Cover of the Strategic Food Plan of Catalonia The Catalan Food Strategy is an action plan to advance towards a more sustainable, safe, fair, cohesive, resilient, healthy and universally accessible food system.

The Strategic Food Plan of Catalonia 2021-2026 , articulated in four dimensions of intervention with specific objectives and results, has the mission of ensuring that the food system becomes a tool for the protection of the future of the environment, of our territory, of our farmers, ranchers and fishermen and of future generations.

Regional Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation Cover of the National Pact for the knowledge society

The current R&D&I framework is the Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation in Catalonia ( RIS3CAT ) and the National Pact for the Knowledge Society ( PN@SC ) .

In this framework of innovation, the agricultural and agri-food sector is present in the areas of action of the Strategy with the agenda “Sustainable, fair, equitable and healthy food system”), and the Pact by promoting knowledge and the transfer of knowledge in all economic sectors.

Annual Technology Transfer Plan ( PATT )

The PATT is the instrument of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food that includes the annual programming of knowledge transfer and research activities related to the agricultural, agri-food and rural areas of Catalonia. This set of activities are proposed, organized and carried out with the collaboration of almost 100 entities. You can consult the agenda of technical conferences here .