Possibilities for Improved Regional Exchange and

Transfer of Knowledge –

linking researchers and advisors within the region

Agricultural Advisory and Education in Serbia –

the case of IPN / ISAA

• Dr Snežana Janković

• Dr Slađan Stanković

• Institute for Applied Science in Agriculture (IPN/ISAA),

• Belgrade, Serbia

2ND REGIONAL CONFERENCE OF ADVISORY SERVICE OF SOUTH EAST EUROPE

’’TRAINING AND KEY COMPETENCES OF AGRICULTURAL ADVISORS - BENEFITS

FOR FARMERS’’

Sofia, 23rd October, 2015

Compliance with EU legislation The 2013 revision of the Common Agricultural Policy created two new

regulations that refer to a “Farm Advisory System”:

• EU Regulation 1306/2013 on the financing, management and

monitoring of the common agricultural policy (Financing Regulation)

• EU Regulation 1305/2013 on support for rural development by

the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)

(Rural Development Regulation)

• Financing Regulation (1306) sets the obligation for Member States

to establish a Farm Advisory Service to advise farmers on cross-

compliance and rural development measures,

• Rural Development Regulation (1305) offers funding through this as

one of the optional rural development measures that Member

States can apply.

In Serbia Existing Legal framework is fully defined (Law and four

regulations) and aligned with EU

ISAA – Institute for Science Application in

Agriculture, Belgrade

• ISAA is engaged in research and experimental development in the

field of biotechnical sciences, applied and development research in

the multidisciplinary field of agriculture and rural development.

• The Institute has employed experts from all areas of agriculture

• ISAA is an authorized organization for conducting training and

development of agricultural extension agents and agricultural

producers according to the decision of the Ministry of Agriculture,

Forestry and Water Management.

• This model of work of ISAA is a model of effective knowledge

transfer system.

How we work

Transfer of scientific research achievements in all fields of agriculture

towards agricultural advisers and farmers was carried out in cooperation

with:

• Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of the Republic of

Serbia,

• Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development

• Ministry of Agriculture of the United States,

• University of Kentucky, Maryland, and Pennsylvania Vinskonsin,

• EU Delegation to Serbia,

• Advisory Service Denmark,

as well as a number of educational and research institutions in our

country, continuously conducting training agricultural extension agents

and farmers.

• IPN prepares annual plan of training of extension agents and agricultural producers (GP / ATP).

• Annual training plans are developed on the basis of regular assessments of the needs of advisors, farmers, agribusiness and agricultural sector.

• The modules are implemented in a period of 1 to 5 days, combining theoretical and practical work.

• Theoretical classes are held in Belgrade in the ISAA.

• For modules related to modernization of knowledge (modern technology) are also planned activities in the field, in order to better recognition of problems, and refer to the modern technologies in the field of farming, animal husbandry, horticulture and plant protection.

• For the practical part we provide locations with adequate facilities, closely related to theoretical classes.

How we work

How we work

How we work

How we work

How we work

How we work

How we work

How we work

IPN has developed 54 modules in three axes:

1. expansion of knowledge in the field that were not

covered by regular education advisors;

2. modernization of knowledge through knowledge

innovation in the field of new and modern technologies

of production,

3. the acquisition of applied knowledge through - advisory

skills.

All modules are aligned with the priorities of Agriculture and

Rural Development of the Republic of Serbia.

Increased knowledge in the field that were not covered by regular education advisors (20 modules):

• Farm Management 1, 2, 3

• European integration

• Marketing

• FADN

• Nitrate Directive

• Manure management

• Gross margin as a function of better

business agricultural holdings

• EUROSTAT data collection

methodology

• Investment and risk management

on farms

• Organic production in crop and

vegetable production

• Organic production in cattle

breeding

• Plant protection in organic

production

• Organic farming in fruit production.

• Harmonization of new standards in

agriculture with European standards -

Grades and Standards of pig carcases

• Measures of conservation of soil

quality

• Animal welfare

• Measures of conservation of soil

quality in orchards of fruit trees and

vines

• Integrated protection systems in the

production of vegetables in

greenhouses

Knowledge update through knowledge innovation in the field of new and modern technologies of production (18 modules):

Crop and vegetable production

• Fertilization 1, Fertilization 2

• Measures for the prevention of drought

in crop and vegetable production in

terms of product safety

• Modern systems and technology of

growing vegetables (Cucurbitaceae)

Livestock production

• The feeding of ruminants

• The feeding of nonruminant

• The quality of fodder with regard to the

safety of animal products and measures to

improve milk quality

• Norms for typical buildings and

renovating buildings in cattle

Plant protection

• IPM of vegetables: carrots, peppers

• IPM of vegetables: tomatoes

• IPM protection apples

• Plant protection in drought conditions

• Stone fruit protection

Fruit production

• Fertilization 1, Fertilization 2

• Measures for the prevention of drought

in fruit growing in terms of product safety

• Production Technology pears and

quinces

RD: rural development policy in the EU and

Serbia and preparation for implementation

of the rural development program (IPARD

and NRDP)

The acquisition of applied knowledge through the acquisition of advisory skills (16 modules)

• Communication (working with groups)

• Print media (publications)

• Establishing a F&R system for plant

protection in Republic of Serbia

• Working on computer

• The methodology of diagnostic studies

and needs assessment of farmers 1

• The Communication and Presentation

skills in working with producers

• TOT - Advisory skills

• TOT - Incentive measures in agriculture

• TOT - Assessment of the needs of

agricultural producers

• Informing agricultural producers via

electronic media - TV and radio

• Preparation for the implementation of

IPARD II program 2014-2020. and NRDP

2015-2020 - Acquiring skills of advisors for

activities related to the implementation.

• Communication skills in working with a

group

• Creating business plans for farms and

funding of projects

• Interpersonal communication between

advisors and agricultural producers

• Training in the use of software tools

Moodle - LMS e-learning and distance

education

• Training for the preparation and

submission of project proposals for EU,

bilateral and national sources of funding

Next steps

• ISAA their modules accredited with the Ministry of Education,

Science and Technological Development and Institute for the

Advancement of Education (ZUOV) of the Republic of Serbia,

and the first modules have already been accredited.

• ISAA will in future give special attention to the transfer of

research results to the end users, in accordance with the

concept of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP).

• ISAA involves all relevant stakeholders in agriculture in the joint

action whose aim is to transfer knowledge to farmers and

processors.

The possibilities for improved Regional knowledge transfer

• Each network member should propose a module in which it has

expertise, in order to train the advisors from other countries in the

region.

• Development initiatives of the Ministry of Agriculture of Serbia for the

publication and exchange of research results in agriculture and rural

development, and setting up a unique web portal (regional).

• Joint Ventures in international and regional projects.

• Setting up a web portal SEASN and setting training modules.

• Joint cooperation with similar organizations in Europe.

• System development of standardized modules for certification of

advisers in the country and the region and the establishment of a

regional center(s) for education.

THANK YOU