Integration and transfer of knowledge in agriculture

Through knowledge and integration, primary producers can mitigate income and market price fluctuations, strengthen competitiveness and improve their negotiating position. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food therefore encourages any organisation in the agricultural and forestry sector and, in particular, the establishment of producer groups and organisations that, through various sources, can also access financial support from European agricultural funds.

Income and price fluctuations are among the key challenges the agricultural and forestry sector are facing. Unrelated primary producers are the weakest link in agri-food and forestry-wood chains and find it difficult to adapt and respond to changes in market. Closer integration can significantly improve the cost and price effectiveness of primary producers, strengthen their competitiveness through joint ventures, joint marketing and promotion, and improve their negotiating position in value chains.

Transfer of knowledge and innovation

Better integration and closer cooperation between all actors ‒ from professional research and education institutions, through farm advisory services and different forms of cooperation and organisation of producers, to individual producers ‒ are also crucial for improving the overall system of knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry and food, as well as for the reverse flow of perceived needs in primary agricultural production.

The transfer of knowledge to the end-user in agriculture is mainly organised as part of the public farm advisory service and other public services, particularly in the field of plant production, livestock production and forestry. A major part of costs for the purpose of implementing these services is covered by the State.