AKIS and advisory services in Sweden : update of the report for the AKIS inventory for the i2connect project. September 2024

Abstract

The aim of this report is to provide an update of the AKIS report for Sweden, describing the national AKIS and advisory organisations. The methods followed the guidelines provided by the i2connect project, a review of existing literature and documentation. The forestry sector is not included in this report, as it is a large industry sector with its own extensive knowledge and innovation system.

The findings illustrate that the main structural characteristic of Swedish agriculture is the regional differences in the natural and climate conditions for primary production. The main production area is located in southern and central Sweden, with cereals, dairy, beef and horticulture as important subsectors. The major characteristic of Sweden’s AKIS is a diversified and fragmented system; many actors acknowledge the need to strengthen the link between basic research, applied research, advisory services, farmers, argi-food firms and rural entrepreneurs. The regional differences make policy coordination vital between authorities and in the innovation support system, as well as between national, regional and local level policies and efforts.

What is distinctive about Sweden’s agricultural advisory system, in a European context, is that it rests greatly on market actors. The low density and long distances in rural areas poses challenges for the advisory system. Advisory services aimed at environment and climate issues are largely funded with public funds, while production and business advice generally take place on market terms.

Based on the AKIS and advisory system described in this report, the question of whether the CAP strategic plan and the current national policy interventions are sufficient to adequately address the perceived deficiencies is relevant. As the linear view of innovation still partly prevails, new approaches are needed which foster system views and cooperation, and sets the needs of the target groups at the centre.

Published in

Publisher: i2connect

SLU Authors

• Blix Germundsson, Lisa

  • Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Social Sciences Interdisciplinary

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/132539