Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture discusses with partners implementation of the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS)
The Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, in collaboration with the EU-funded project "Institutional and Policy Reform for Smallholder Farming in Ukraine" (EU4 Small Farms), held a dialogue on the implementation of the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS). Participants were presented with a prototype of the national AKIS web portal, which will provide farmers, advisors, and researchers with personalized access to professional knowledge and a discussion platform.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Denys Bashlyk, representatives of regional departments of agro-industrial development, research institutions, advisory services, farmers' associations, and the All-Ukrainian Association of Communities.
A key element of AKIS implementation will be the integration of the AKIS portal with the State Agrarian Registry (SAR), which will not require additional registration for access to its functionalities.
"The State Agrarian Registry has become a single entry point for receiving state support and services. Similarly, AKIS should become a single entry point for accessing practical knowledge that will help rural areas and farmers develop and become more prosperous. Our task is to build trust in this system so that it becomes practical and truly useful for producers," emphasized Denys Bashlyk.
During the event, the main directions for AKIS development in Ukraine were discussed, which will form the basis of the future national plan. These include establishing a national coordination body under the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, developing regional AKIS hubs, strengthening and integrating advisory services, launching a specialized web portal, and joining the broader European AKIS network.
"AKIS is a key driver of innovation in EU agriculture. Incorporating AKIS into agricultural policy is a truly positive step for Ukraine. It will provide Ukrainian farmers with access to the knowledge and innovations needed to enhance competitiveness and meet European standards," noted Giuseppe Aristei, Programme Manager at the Agriculture Sector, the EU Delegation to Ukraine.
Seminar participants also discussed ways to bridge the gap between science and practice, build trust in knowledge, and transform the AKIS concept into a practical mechanism for farmers and rural communities. Special attention was given to digital tools.
AKIS is a legally established component of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and requires each member state to develop a national plan. In Ukraine, the system is being implemented with consideration of leading European practices.
Background Information
In the European Union, AKIS serves as a cross-cutting mechanism to achieve the strategic goals of the Common Agricultural Policy. For Ukraine, its development aligns with the National Strategy for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas until 2030, which prioritizes competitiveness, innovation, digitalization, and effective knowledge exchange.
The development of the AKIS system in Ukraine and the creation of the associated web portal are supported by the EU-funded EU4 Small Farms project, implemented by NIRAS.