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Exploring microAKIS: Farmer-Centric Evidence on the Role of Advice in Agricultural Innovation in Europe

Authors :
Madureira, Livia
Labarthe, Pierre
Marques, Carla S.
Santos, Gina
Source :
Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension. 2022 28(5):549-575.
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

Purpose: To provide novel empirical evidence on the role of advice in technological and non-technological innovation uptake decision-making processes from the perspective of European farmers, we develop the microAKIS (farmer microscale knowledge and innovation systems) framework. Design/methodology/approach: The MicroAKIS framework is expanded to gather empirical evidence built on quantitative data from a sample of 675 European farmers. Findings: Different types of innovation lead to different microAKIS, and farmers' involvement with innovation introduces new dynamics in advice supply. MicroAKIS supporting innovations tend to be small in size and diversity, suggesting the anticipated pluralism of advice resulting from advisory services privatisation across Europe did not work as expected, i.e. not translating into pluralistic microAKIS. Practical implications: Pluralism in advice for innovation is needed and could be enhanced by integrating different sources of advice: professional and non-professional, formal and informal, agricultural and cross-sectorial. Theoretical implications: We advance the scope of the AKIS concept by accounting for the temporal dynamics of innovation uptake decision-making and adopting multi-level analysis that combines micro (farm) and meso (region) scales. Originality/value: Empirical evidence at the European level, gathered from the common farmer's perspective on the dynamics of farm-level microAKIS and the role played by farm advisory, accounting for diversity of innovations and regional contexts.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1389-224X and 1750-8622
Volume :
28
Issue :
5
Database :
ERIC
Journal :
Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
EJ1371032
Document Type :
Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2022.2123838