Scottish Rural Development Programme 2014-2020: ex-post evaluation - annex A scheme summary report

9. Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund

Scheme description

The Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund (KTIF) had two main aims.

Firstly, it provided financial support for vocational training, skills development and knowledge transfer projects focused on agriculture. This was delivered through workshops, training courses, coaching, information dissemination actions and farm visits.

Secondly, the scheme funded:

• eligible agricultural demonstration/benchmarking and similar types of projects (for example, Monitor Farms).
• experimental and/or pilot projects that aim to introduce new and innovative approaches in agricultural practice.

According to the SG website “This will help Scotland take advantage of its strong performance in research and development and make sure that the learning from here and elsewhere can be transferred to on-the-ground improvements in agriculture”.

Public expenditure

The KTIF was programmed to contribute to various Priorities and FAs as follows:

• Priority 2 (Enhancing farm viability and competitiveness of all types of agriculture in all regions and promoting innovative farm technologies and the sustainable management of forests), and to FA 2A.
• Priority 4 (Restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems dependent on agriculture and forestry) and to FA 4A, FA 4B, and FA 4C.
• Priority 5 (Promoting resource efficiency and supporting the shift towards a low carbon and climate resilient economy in agriculture, food and forestry sectors) and to FA 5B.

Note: all financial and performance data for Priority 4 and associated FAs are presented in the AIR 2023 in aggregate form. This is due to how the monitoring data was required by the EC.

A summary of the public expenditure achieved by the KTIF is provided in Table 9.1. Under the SRDP 2014-2020 the KTIF made final co-financed payments to beneficiaries in 2021.

Source: Scottish Government, Annual Implementation Report 2023.

The KTIF also contributed to Priority 1 (Fostering knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry and rural areas), and to FA 1A (Fostering innovation, cooperation, and the development of the knowledge base in rural areas), FA 1B (strengthening of links between agriculture, food production and forestry and research and innovation, including for the purpose of improved environmental management and performance), and FA 1C (Fostering lifelong learning and vocational training in the agricultural and forestry sectors).

Performance indicators

A summary of the outcomes achieved by the KTIF is provided in Table 9.2.

Source: Scottish Government, Annual Implementation Report 2023.

Scheme evaluation

An external evaluation of the Monitor Farms Programme (James Hutton Institute, 2021) was undertaken on behalf of the SG and funded by the KTIF. The evaluation examined learning and change by farmers based on two Monitor Farms located in the Lothians and Morayshire. Findings were based on observations and interviews conducted across the three-year Monitor Farm Programme period (2017-2020) and a virtual workshop conducted in April 2021, one year after the Programme concluded.

The evaluation contributed in-depth qualitative insights into key features of successful on-farm demonstration found to underpin community engagement and support capacity building among farmers, including acquisition of knowledge, approaches to decision-making, and challenging norms towards achieving individual and community legacy. It also identified lessons learned and set out recommendations.

An internal evaluation of the KTIF is being undertaken by SG – at the time of ex-post programme evaluation this report has not yet been finalised (and draft findings not shared with EKOS). The KTIF evaluation report is forthcoming.

What worked well and/or less well

The 2022 KTIF Progress Report notes that the following aspects of the Monitor Farms Programme worked well, including:

• a strong sense of community was developed between the Monitor Farms.
• greater integration between the monitor farms within each cluster.
• strong levels of industry engagement and involvement at meetings – and positive industry discussions.
• opportunities to develop new industry champions from the ranks of the Monitor Farmers.
• strong connections were established between the Monitor Farmers and the scheme delivery team.
• industry stakeholders and farmers engaged with topics that have a bearing on climate and biodiversity targets (Soil Association findings).
• opportunities identified to link like-minded farmers together for peer support.
• an appetite for more knowledge exchange on ‘Reducing Inputs’ which aimed to inspire and inform farmers and growers to: reduce their use of external inputs including synthetic nitrogen-based fertiliser, pesticides and herbicides; reduce carbon footprints; tackle disease resistance; improve soil health and ecological performance; protect natural capital; and boost financial resilience.

Aspects which worked less well included:

• recruitment of Regional Advisers proved difficult - this delayed some work, however, a strong delivery team was ultimately recruited to drive the programme forward.
• in-house delivery meant that it was more difficult to establish local connections and communications networks.

Lessons learned

In addition to the lessons learned reported above for the Monitor Farms Programme SG officials reported that they were not sure whether innovation and learning were always rolled out by other farmers and crofters. SG commented that “There have not always been the funds or the mechanisms to match or deliver what comes of out the research funded”. This is something that SG officials hope the RESAS KTIF evaluation will explore and make recommendations for going forward.

Current status of the scheme

The KTIF continues to be funded by SG on an annual basis, and in 2024 the scheme has two aims related to:

• Knowledge Transfer Projects - these projects should aim to promote skills development and knowledge transfer in the primary agricultural sector. This will be achieved through provision of funding to organisations to deliver vocational training, coaching, workshops, courses, and farm visits designed to develop skills and encourage knowledge exchange.
• Innovation Projects - these projects should aim to deliver innovative on-the-ground improvements in agricultural competitiveness, resource efficiency, environmental performance and sustainability. The funding support will meet the running costs of operational groups which are expected to provide new insights and deliver innovative approaches and ideas and mobilise practical on-the-ground solutions. Operational groups can be made up of different individuals or organisations within agriculture who are working collaboratively – for example, between farmers, crofters, land managers, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), advisers and businesses working on the ground.

The KTIF along with other SRDP schemes will be aligned with the new Agricultural Reform Framework (2023).