The transfer of knowledge and innovations to farmers is no longer sufficient by itself to support the competitiveness of Italian agriculture; the sense of the link has to be reversed, that is, starting from farmers (farmer first approach), trying to learn from them in order to integrate scientific knowledge and local knowledge, technical training and experience. Inside Italian agriculture there is an important stock of local knowledge of tacit nature, accumulated especially with the experience of working in the fields and stables. This knowledge can be transformed into competitiveness modelling the network of institutions - called agricultural knowledge and information system (AKIS) - which equips the road of the creation, transmission and use of knowledge. In the Italian agriculture, it is crucial the role of participation systems (agricultural cooperation and association) as strategic actors in the management of flows of knowledge driven by farmers to the market, research, extension, education, agricultural policy. In this perspective, it is fundamental to identify new forms of farmers participation and partnership tools by all stakeholders in the network of agricultural knowledge. A structure of governance characterized by partnership, focused on the knot of participation, however, should not be placed in contrast with that aims to promote greater competition in the transmission (and production) of knowledge in agriculture. Competition is essential in order to reduce the complexity and increase the efficiency within the network of knowledge. Competitiveness tools, such as vouchers, are needed to achieve this goal, especially when farmers buy extension and training services. Participation, partnership and competition play, finally, a complementary role in a policy of knowledge to support the competitiveness of Italian agriculture.

Politica della conoscenza e competitività dell'agricoltura italiana

Pilati, Luciano
2006-01-01

Abstract

The transfer of knowledge and innovations to farmers is no longer sufficient by itself to support the competitiveness of Italian agriculture; the sense of the link has to be reversed, that is, starting from farmers (farmer first approach), trying to learn from them in order to integrate scientific knowledge and local knowledge, technical training and experience. Inside Italian agriculture there is an important stock of local knowledge of tacit nature, accumulated especially with the experience of working in the fields and stables. This knowledge can be transformed into competitiveness modelling the network of institutions - called agricultural knowledge and information system (AKIS) - which equips the road of the creation, transmission and use of knowledge. In the Italian agriculture, it is crucial the role of participation systems (agricultural cooperation and association) as strategic actors in the management of flows of knowledge driven by farmers to the market, research, extension, education, agricultural policy. In this perspective, it is fundamental to identify new forms of farmers participation and partnership tools by all stakeholders in the network of agricultural knowledge. A structure of governance characterized by partnership, focused on the knot of participation, however, should not be placed in contrast with that aims to promote greater competition in the transmission (and production) of knowledge in agriculture. Competition is essential in order to reduce the complexity and increase the efficiency within the network of knowledge. Competitiveness tools, such as vouchers, are needed to achieve this goal, especially when farmers buy extension and training services. Participation, partnership and competition play, finally, a complementary role in a policy of knowledge to support the competitiveness of Italian agriculture.
2006
4
Pilati, Luciano
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11572/71867
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