Strengthening organic in AKIS: for better advice, training, and knowledge exchange

Summary

This policy brief outlines findings related to organic in AKIS, such as advisory service and education activities, complemented by policy brief #9 Research and Innovation.
Major gaps in quality and coverage of advice for organic exist. Organic knowledge is often shared in informal networks, peer to peer, and by organic farming associations. Organic is poorly integrated into formal education systems.
Advisory systems and training are core elements of AKIS in the CAP. Organic farming is an agri-environmental action. Member States should provide support for farmers in this area through AKIS.
Organic farming actors and activities need full integration and sustainable funding for AKIS, and farmers should have access to qualified and affordable advice on organic.
This will create enabling conditions for conversion to organic, innovation, and public-good delivery.
Organic farming is one climate and environment priority area in the CAP. Fully integrating and sustainably funding organic farming actors and activities in AKIS will create enabling conditions for conversion to organic, innovation, and public-good delivery—far beyond what scattered or project-based measures can achieve.