1 Dilemma “What to do in a sectoral innovation and education policy and where can we use the general policy?” The case of Flanders CWG AKIS - Dublin 3-4/02/2011

2 Content Current situation Innovation policy and instruments Education policy Policy challenge Problematization Policy options Pros and cons Outcome

3 Current situation Innovation policy Originates mainly from the CAP Need for a more explicit view on innovation policy and corresponding instruments Innovation instruments Specific to the agricultural sector (cfr link with CAP) Farmers and knowledge institutes are the main beneficiaries Troublesome entrance to instruments of the general science and innovation policy → Exception: Collaboration in Innovation Program (CI)

4 Current situation (2) Education policy: agricultural extension and education Absence of a definite structure (difficult to get an overview) Strong differences between countries / regions (FL, NL, FR, NRW) Common trends o Lifelong learning o Multidisciplinary entrepreneurship o Questions about role of the government Need for o More substantive strategic choices o Greater financial responsibility by the farmers

5 Policy challenge Problematization: Reform of the CI- program Innovation trajectories that encompass o Collective research o Technological support o Thematic stimulation of innovation Agriculture excluded o Collective research through the Program for agricultural Research (PAR) o Disappearance of two instruments that ware successful in promoting sustainable and innovative agricultural practices

6 Policy challenge (2) Policy options Differences between programs 3 options 1. Integration of PAR in CI 2. Reform of PAR towards trajectories in agriculture 3. Continuation of PAR with increased attention on valorisation and implementation CI-trajectoriesPAR ApplicationCompanies or representative organisation Knowledge institutes AimDevelopment and implementation Development (basic and applied research) ValorisationGroup of companies(Sub)sector Co-funding20%7,5%

7 Policy challenge (3) – pros and cons ProsCons 1 Access to larger budgets Increased opportunities for cross-sectoral research Overall access (no need for delineation of programs) Demand articulation by the sector Higher involvement of the sector Improved valorisation of results - Access to larger budgets - Increased opportunities for cross-sectoral research - Overall access (no need for delineation of programs) - Demand articulation by the sector - Higher involvement of the sector - Improved valorisation of results 2 Generalization of the instrument Guaranteed budget Higher involvement of the sector Increased valorisation of results Co-funding is limited Applied research centres: shift in focus (more applied research) Limited budget Isolation of agricultural research Difficult to delineate programs Initiative by knowledge institutes (instead of demand articulation by the sector) Universities: shift in focus (less basic research) 3 Guaranteed budget Small improvement in the valorisation of results Co-funding is limited Universities: basic research remains possible Applied research centres: more possibilities for applied research Limited budget Isolation of agricultural research Difficult to delineate programs Initiative by knowledge institutes (instead of demand articulation by the sector) Involvement of the sector remains low

8 Policy challenge (4) Outcome Consultation with the Platform on Agricultural Research Clear preference for the continuation of PAR Motivation o Identity and history of the sector o Inability of the sector to steer research o Guaranteed budget Consequence = Limited budget o Need to make strategic choices (White paper) o Improved link between research, companies, education and extension