Cross-Analysis of Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System of Actors' Interactions in Greece

Authors

  • Epistimi Amerani Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
  • Stefanos Nastis Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
  • Efstratios Loizou University of Western Makedonia
  • Anastasios Michailidis Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Keywords:

AKIS, Extension, Graph Theoretical Technique, Information flow, Linkages, Innovation

Abstract

This study examined Greece's Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) and assessed the flow of information and linkages among eight stakeholder groups: policy, education, research, consulting, agricultural cooperatives, credit, private enterprises, and farmers. Data were collected using an online survey tool from 61 experts/representatives following an initial phone communication. The Graph Theoretical Technique was utilized to achieve the survey's objectives. The results revealed dominant and subordinated actors in the system and identified a critical pathway for information flow within AKIS. Policymakers can leverage these findings to strengthen linkages, address information gaps, and promote innovation and equitable development in the agricultural sector.  

Author Biographies

Stefanos Nastis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Dept. of Agricultural Economics

Efstratios Loizou, University of Western Makedonia

Department of Regional Development and Cross Border Studies, Koila Campus, School of Economic Sciences, University of Western Makedonia, 50100, Kozani, Greece

Anastasios Michailidis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Dept. of Agricultural Economics

References

Beers, P.J.& Geerling-Eiff, F. (2013). Networks as policy instruments for innovation. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension 20, 363-379.

Birke, MF.; Bae, S.; Schober, A.; Wolf, S.; Gerster- Bentaya, M.; Knierim, A. (2022). Akis in European countries: Gross analysis of AKIS country reports from i2 connect project.

Birner, R., Davis, K. E., Pender, J. L., Nkonya, E. M., Anandajayasekeram, P., Ekboir, J. M., Mbabu, A. N., Spielman, D. J., Horna, J. D., Benin, S. (2009). From “best practice” to “best fit” a framework for designing and analyzing pluralistic agricultural advisory services worldwide. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension 15, 341-355.

Brinia, V. & Papavasileiou, P. (2015). Training of Farmers in Island Agricultural Areas: The Case of Cyclades Prefecture. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension 21(3), 235-247 (2015).

Charatsari, C.& Lioutas, E. (2019). Is current agronomy ready to promote sustainable agriculture? Identifying key skills and competencies needed. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 26 (3), 232-241 (2019).

Charatsari, C., Papadaki-Klavdianou, A.& Koutsouris, A. (2012). Conventional services for organic farmers? Attitudes of organic and conventional producers towards extension education. Paper Presented at the 10th European IFSA Symposium, Aarhus, Denmark, July 1-4, 2012.

Charatsari, C., Papadaki-Klavdianou, A. & Michailidis, A. (2011). Farmers as Consumers of Agricultural Education Services: Willingness to Pay and Spend Time. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 17, 253-266.

Diab, A.M. (2015). Assessment of linkages and information flow in the Agricultural Innovation System in the New Valley Governorate, Egypt. Arab Universities Journal of Agricultural Sciences 23 (2), 449-465.

Dinar, A.; Karagiannis, G.& Tzouvelekas, V. (2007). Evaluating the Impact of Public and Private Agricultural Extension on Farms Performance: A Non-Neutral Stochastic Frontier Approach. The Journal of International Association of Agricultural Economics (36)25, 135-146.

Dogliotti, S.; García, M.C.; Peluffo, S.; Dieste, J.P.; Pedemonte, A.J.; Bacigalupe, G.F.; Scarlato, M., Alliaume, F., Alvarez, J.& Chiappe; M. (2014). Co-innovation of Family Farm Systems. A Systems Approach to Sustainable Agriculture. Agricultural Systems, 126, 76–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2013.02.009

EU SCAR. (2012). Agricultural knowledge and innovation systems in transition – a reflection paper, European Commission

EU SCAR. (2016). Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System towards the future: A foresight paper. European Commission.

EU SCAR AKIS. (2019). Preparing for Future AKIS in Europe; 2nd Ed.; European Commission. European Commission.

FAO (2015). Achieving Zero Hunger. The critical role of investment in social protection and agriculture. Food and Agriculture Organization.

Gouët, C. & Van Paassen, A. (2012). Smallholder marketing cooperatives and smallholders’ market access: Lessons learned from the actors involved. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension 18 (4), 369–385 (2012).

https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2012.691784

International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) (2009). International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science, and Technology for Development: Global Report. Island Press.

Jones, A. D.& Ejeta, G. (2016). New global agenda for nutrition and health: the importance of agriculture and food systems. Bull. World Health 94? (3), 228–229 (2016).

Kaberis, N. & Koutsouris, A. (2012). Reflections on the ‘Expert Syndrome’: A Greek Case Study on Extension Education. Proceedings of the 10th European Investment and Financial Services Association (IFSA) Symposium, Aarhus, Denmark, July 1–4, 2012.

Kassem, H.S., Ismail, H. & Ghoneim, Y.A. (2022). Assessment of Institutional Linkages and Information Flow within the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation: Case of Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. Sustainability 14 (11).

Knickel, K., Brunori, G., Rand, S. & Proost, J. (2009). Towards a Better Conceptual Framework for Innovation Processes in Agriculture and Rural Development: From Linear Models to Systemic Approaches. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 15(2),131–146. https://doi.org/10.1080/13892240902909064

Konstantidelli, V., Koutsouris, A., Karanikolas, P., & Tsiboukas, K. (2018). Setting-up a farm advisory network in the agricultural university of Athens: an exploratory analysis. International Journal of Agricultural Extension,6(3),105-116. https://esciencepress.net/journals/index.php/IJAE/article/view/2689

Koutsouris, A. (2014, April). Failing to implement FAS under diverse extension contexts: a comparative account of Greece and Cyprus. Proceedings of the 11th European Farming Systems Symposium, Berlin, Germany, (April 1-4, 2014).

Koutsouris, A. (2014b). Exploring the emerging intermediation roles (Facilitation and Brokerage) in Agricultural Extension Education. International Journal of Agricultural Extension, 0, 21–37.

Koutsouris, A. & Zarokosta, H. (2022). Farmers’ networks and the quest for reliable advice: innovating in Greece. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 28 (5), 625–651 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2021.2012215

Leeuwis, C., Pyburn, R., & Röling, N. G. (Eds.) (2002). Wheelbarrows Full of frogs: social learning in rural resource management: international research and reflections. Van Gorcum.

Lioutas, E. D., Tzimitra-Kalogianni, I. & Charatsari, C. (2010). Small ruminant producers’ training needs, and factors discouraging participation in agricultural education/training programs. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 22(7), 215-221.

Lioutas, E., Charatsari, C., Istenic, M., La Rocca, G.& De Rosa, M. (2019). The challenges of setting up the evaluation of extension systems by using a systems approach: the case of Greece, Italy, and Slovenia. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 25, 139-160.

Lundvall, B-Å. (2016). In The Learning Economy and the Economics of Hope. In B.-Å. Lundvall (Ed.) National Systems of Innovation: Towards a Theory of Innovation and Interactive Learning. (pp. 85–106). Anthem Press.

Marantidou, A., Michailidis, A. & Papadaki-Klavdianou, A. (2011). Information and Communication Technologies as agricultural extension tools. Scientific Bulletin – Economic Sciences, 10(1), 114- 125.

Masi, M., De Rosa, M., Vecchio, Y., Bartoli, L. & Adinolfi, F. (2022). The long way to innovation adoption: insights from precision agriculture. Agricultural and Food Economics, 10.

Michailidis, A., Koutsouris, A. & Mattas, K. (2010). Information and Communication Technologies as agricultural extension tools: A survey among farmers in West Macedonia, Greece. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 16(3), 249-263. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2010.489767

Moschitz, H., Roep, D., Brunori, G. & Tisenkopfs, T. (2015) Learning and Innovation Networks for Sustainable Agriculture: Processes of Co-evolution, Joint Reflection, and Facilitation. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 21,(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2014.991111

Oliveira, M.F., Fátima, M., Silva, G., Ferreira, F., Teixeira S.; Damásio, M.; Ferreira, F.; Gonçalves, A.D. & Manuel, J. (2019). Innovations in Sustainable Agriculture: Case Study of Lis Valley Irrigation District, Portugal, Sustainability, 11(2), 331.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2019). Innovation, Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability in Japan; OECD Food and Agricultural Reviews, OECD Publishing: Paris, France.

Österle, N., Koutsouris, A., Livieratos, Y. & Kabourakis, E. (2016). Extension for organic agriculture: A comparative study between Baden-Württemberg, Germany and Crete, Greece. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 22(4), 345-362. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2016.1165711

Pappa, H. & Koutsouris, A. (2014). Social representations for agronomists: the case of Achilli farmers. Proceedings of the 13th Panhellenic Conference of Rural Economy, Athens, Greece. November 21-22, 2014.

Schmid, J.C., Knierim, A. & Knuth, U. (2016). Policy-induced innovations networks on climate change adaptation – an ex-post analysis of collaboration success and its influencing factors. Environmental Science & Policy, 56 (C), 67-79.

Schut, M., van Paassen, A., Leeuwis, C. & Klerkx, L. (2014). Towards dynamic research configurations. A framework for reflection on the contribution of research to policy and innovation processes. Science and Public Policy 41, 207–218.

Semou, V., Sergaki, P. & Tremma O. (2022). The Importance of the Role of Agricultural Cooperatives in the Development of the Agricultural Sector: The Case of Greece. Indian Journal Agricultural Research, 56(4), 496-501.

Stephens, E. C., Andrew D. J. & Parsons, D. (2018). Agricultural systems research, and global food security in the 21st century: An overview and roadmap for future opportunities. Agricultural Systems, 163, 1-6.

Temel, T. (2004). A method for linkage analysis. International Journal of Computer Applications Technology, 20(4), 188–192.

Temel, T. (2006). Systems information management: graph theoretical approach. International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 25(1), 15–21. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJCAT.2006.008640

Temel, T. A. (2007). A Conceptual framework for managing information flow in innovation systems. International Journal of Agricultural Resources Governance and Ecology, 6 (2), 179–193.

Temel, T. A. (2016). A methodology for characterising innovation systems-revisiting the agricultural innovation system of Azerbaijan. International Journal Transitions and Innovations System, 5 (3/4), 254–298.

Temel, T., Janssen, W. & Karimov, F. (2002a). System analysis by Graph-Theoretic Techniques: Assessment of institutional linkages in the Agricultural innovation system of Azerbaijan.Proceedings of Xth EAAE Congress Diversity in the European Agri-Food System. Zaragoza, Spain.

Temel, T., Janssen, W. & Karimov, F. (2002b). The Agriculture Innovation System of Azerbaijan: An Assessment of institutional linkages. International Service for National Agricultural Research: Hague, Netherlands.August 28-31.

Temel, T., Janssen, W. & Karimov, F. (2003). Systems analysis by graph theoretical techniques: Assessment of the agricultural innovation system of Azerbaijan. Agricultural Systems, 77(2), 91–116.

Temel, T. & Maru, A. (2002). A conceptual framework for studying linkages in an Agriculture-Health-Environment system. The International Service for National Research (ISNAR): Hague, Netherlands

Temel, T. & Kinlay, D. (2012). A Methodology for Information System Formation and Performance. Munich Personal RePEc Archive (MPRA), Munich University Library: Munich, Germany.

Turner, J. A., Klerkx, L. W. A., Rijswijk, K., Williams, T., & Barnard, T. (2016). Systemic problems affecting co-innovation in the New Zealand Agricultural Innovation System: Identification of blocking mechanisms and underlying institutional logics. NJAS Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 76, 99-112. Article 76.

Van der Ploeg J.D(2003). The virtual farmer. Past, present, and future of the Dutch peasantry. Royal van Gorcum: Assen, Netherlands.

Woolthuis, R. K., Hillebrand, B., & Nooteboom, B. (2005). Trust, Contract, and Relationship Development. Organization Studies, 26(6), 813-840.

World Bank. (2012). Agricultural Innovation Systems: An Investment Sourcebook. World Bank: Washington DC, USA.

Yang, H., Klerkx, L. W. A., & Leeuwis, C. (2014). Functions and limitations of farmer cooperatives as innovation intermediaries: Findings from China. Agricultural Systems, 127, 115-125.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2014.02.005

Zahran, Y., Kassem, H.S., Naba, S.M. & Alotaibi, B.A. (2020). Shifting from Fragmentation to Integration: A Proposed Framework for Strengthening Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System in Egypt. Sustainability, 12, 5131.

Downloads

Published

2024-04-12

How to Cite

Amerani, E., Nastis, S., Loizou, E., & Michailidis, A. (2024). Cross-Analysis of Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System of Actors’ Interactions in Greece. Journal of Agricultural Extension, 28(2), 9–23. Retrieved from https://www.journal.aesonnigeria.org/index.php/jae/article/view/3983

Issue

Section

General Extension and Teaching Methods