Description

State support for universities and colleges specialising in subjects relevant to the agri-food sector in their countries. Universities and colleges are centres of teaching and research and are the scientific nucleus for efficient yet environmentally sound agriculture.

As a rule, larger universities and colleges establish faculties for agriculture and forestry, horticulture, food science, fisheries, agri-environmental protection and consumer health protection.
The results of the research carried out at these institutions are international public assets and should always be open access. The benefits they deliver extend beyond regional boundaries. In addition, agricultural research aims at providing a continuous flow of knowledge and expertise to the farming world, the food and raw materials value chain and consumer science. Researchers work closely with local institutions and non-governmental organisations and are the driving force behind developments in this field.

Developing countries have a particular interest in applied science and research. This calls for an effective dialogue between higher education and the agricultural and agri-food sectors when deciding on the focus of individual agricultural faculties. Universities and colleges often form the nucleus of national advisory services for farmers and consumers, which is often seen in North America in particular, but also in Asian countries.

Requirements

• Clear and coherent political strategy and targets for policy-makers and public authorities
• Close cooperation and knowledge sharing with farmers' organisations
• Close cooperation and knowledge sharing with local advisory services
• Dialogue with private sector and (civil) society on study content and research priorities to ensure their practical relevance
• International networking / exchange between universities and colleges
• Investments in country-wide educational infrastructure in proximity to students
• Long-term funding needs to be safeguarded
• Skilled / specialised personnel to man the respective institutions / provide the respective services

Possible Negative Effects

• Number of graduates exceeds domestic demand and encourages emigration to industrialised countries
• Attractivity of national positions/ jobs cannot compete with the international job market encouraging emigration
• Failure to translate results of scientific research into practice