Academic Advisory Panel - 5 February 2024 - Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems Advisory Note
- Published
- 19 December 2024
- Directorate
- Environment and Forestry Directorate
- Date of meeting
- 5 February 2024
Minutes from the meeting of the group on 5 February 2024.
This advisory note has been prepared by the Academic Advisory Panel (AAP) in response to a request from ARIOB officials, to provide feedback on key gaps in knowledge and innovation systems for land managers. This note will be circulated to ARIOB before the meeting held in the second quarter of 2024. The note is a summary of discussion at the AAP meeting on the 5 February 2024. The panel, following presentation of work on Establishing an agricultural knowledge and innovation system (AKIS) commissioned by the ClimateXChange Centre of Expertise, discussed the best ways to address gaps and deficienciesof the current knowledge exchange and innovation systems, and methods to promote wider uptake of learning activities.
Key summary of the discussion
The agricultural knowledge and innovation system should engage a diverse range of farmers, crofters, industry experts, and research providers to enrich the breadth of advice and innovation support available. Peer-to-peer learning, inclusive engagement strategies and consistent messaging of research findings, best practice and effective innovations are essential components which should be better integrated into the knowledge exchange process. Employing co-design approaches such as monitor farms and living labs, which brings farmers and experts together, can translate new research and innovation into practical applications. The new system should prioritise ease of use, with clearly signposted sources of information. There should be greater connectivity between available innovation funding and the knowledge elements of the programme. Transparent funding pathways, and ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and adjustment of AKIS programmes are necessary components of an effective knowledge exchange and innovation programme. A formal AKIS governance structure, including AKIS strategic plan, to ensure integration across the wide range of AKIS actors, should be considered.
Key discussion points:
1. Enabling peer-to-peer learning is crucial to establishing an innovation ecosystem in Scotland. Co-design approaches, including living lab approaches, monitor farms and seed funding for testing innovations which integrate research, innovation, and demonstrations of practical applications are valuable tools. Trade events, agricultural and livestock shows and auctions are attended by many members of the farming community and so should be used more for knowledge outreach opportunities. Examples of good practice where experts and farmers collaborate together to develop new, environmentally friendly and economically sustainable practices can be drawn from domestic, European and global initiatives such as the UK run Innovative Farmers, the Irish Signpost Farms Programme, or the European Innovation Partnership Skills development in facilitation of co-innovation and co-development is crucial for advisors to successfully perform these roles:
- The Signpost Farms Programme - the Republic of Ireland national programme that integrates research, farmers and industry initiatives, and provides advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry. The programme also trains farmers to become facilitators and advisers to help future proof farming systems.
- The European Innovation Partnership – scheme funds projects that allow farmers, scientists and other experts collaborate together to develop new, environmentally friendly and economically sustainable practices. The partnership creates safe environment to test new ideas and practices which can then be used more widely by farmers and crofters.
- The Innovative Farmers - network for farmers and growers who are running on-farm trials to test innovative new practices. This farmer led research allows to collect robust data relevant to real-world farming environment.
2. Strategic oversight and evaluation of AKIS as a whole (not solely the Farm Advisory Service) would be beneficial. There is considerable duplication and disconnection of the whole knowledge and innovation system. Expansion of the current system could have negative consequences if the design is overly elaborate. Care should be taken to avoid overcomplicating the system, making it too difficult to navigate. Rather than consolidating into one large system, existing co-development opportunities, initiatives and information sources should be mapped out and connected. The principles of Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) design should be used as a tool to gather information and evaluate existing knowledge exchange systems.
3. The future agricultural knowledge exchange and innovation scheme should incorporate governance and evaluation into its design. Reviews should capture engagement rates and impact by measuring the adoption of new practices and changes to on-farm practices by participating farmers, recognizing that it can take years for an innovation to be developed and implemented on-farm. Lessons should be learned to avoid the underfunding of monitor farms or poorly designed or under-resourced on-farm experiments. Additionally, the scheme should be integrated with Continuing Professional Development and on-farm work to ensure broad engagement from the farming and crofting community.
4. Strategies for innovation funding should be more closely linked to agricultural knowledge exchange strategies in Scotland. For example, Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Funding, University Innovation Funding and links to Scotland’s seven innovation centre should be strengthened.
- The Scotland’s Seven Innovation Centres is an Innovation Centre (IC) programme that works with Scotland’s colleges, universities and research institutes to address demand from, and the opportunities and challenges facing, the private, public, and third sectors. The ICs works with key economic sectors aiming to create economic and societal benefits as well as providing spaces for collaborative work and supporting training to develop next generation of researchers and knowledge exchange practitioners.
5. There needs to be clear pathways for external funding to support development of knowledge exchange and innovation systems. Farmers and crofters may fear that they will be indirectly charged for the reorganisation or upgrade of the existing system. Implementing a transparent funding model will alleviate those concerns and foster active participation and engagement.
6. Consistent messaging from researchers, industry experts, and knowledge exchange providers is helpful for thr effective dissemination of knowledge. Differing perspectives on scientific certainties, or the urgency for the need for innovative practices and scientific advances on pressing environmental issues could result in conflicting messages, undermining the overall goal of improving agricultural practice and eroding trust in information sources.
7. To be inclusive and reach a wide audience, an effective knowledge exchange and innovation system should incorporate a diverse range of engagement strategies. Training events and other forms of knowledge exchange must take into account the varied learning needs, preferences and demographics of the target audience including working patterns (both full and part-time), limited digital connectivity, different learning styles, expertise level, and accessibility requirements. Facilitators need to be confident in building credibility with audiences and bringing people and expertise together, even if they are not experts in given topic.
8. Different approaches should be considered to engage with under-engaged farmers and crofters. New entrants, female farmers, older farmers and farmers or crofters located in remote areas have all been identified as ‘hard-to-reach’. Targeted activities and communication, provision of childcare and transportation, and skills development in use of IT can assist these groups to engage.
9. Further expanding the pool of experts and research providers engaged in services offered by the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) would enhance the breadth of advice provided by the service. A joined-up approach between the main research providers, universities and industry experts would help to better utilise both the existing knowledge base, new scientific evidence and emerging innovations and technologies. The breadth of expertise in the FAS should be highlighted.
10. Trusted experts with good understanding of local issues, i.e., local vets or RPID inspectors, could be utilised more in addition to local advisors to provide support to innovation and the adoption of new practices. Additionally, multiple means of dissemination should be used including podcasts, social media (where linking or using influential ‘nodes’ in networks is helpful). The agricultural press in Scotland remains a key source of information for many and remains a useful engagement tool for the dissemination of new knowledge and innovation.
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