““Chile: building an AgriFood Innovation Chile: building an AgriFood Innovation System to meet the Challenges of the System to meet the Challenges of the

Future”Future”

Seamus CrosseTeagascIreland

National Agriculture Research and Innovation Strategy - Ireland

Ireland

OutlineOutline

National Research Strategy (IRL)EU and IRL model of InnovationAgriculture in IrelandAgriculture and Food Research Funding

in IrelandA vision for Teagasc

Research Institutions - IrelandResearch Institutions - Ireland

7 Universities14 Institutes of TechnologyPublicly supported specialised Institutes

Royal College of SurgeonsDublin Institute for Advanced StudiesMarine InstituteTeagasc (Agriculture & Food Development

Authority

Investment in ResearchInvestment in Research

Gross Expenditure on R&D in 2006• ~€2.3 billion an increase of 14% over 2005 (1.6% of

GNP) • Public sources of this investment ~ 33%

Public Funding of R&D• Increased by more than 300% from 1996 to 2006

Public investment in science, technology and innovation will amount to ~€8.2 billion ($6,334 B) under the National Development Plan 2007-2013

Human Capital in ResearchHuman Capital in Research

28% of all third-level graduations in 2005 were in the disciplines of Science and Engineering.

810 PhDs were awarded in Irish Institutions in 2005: 462 of these were in the disciplines of Science and Engineering.

The target under the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation is to increase the annual PhD output to 1,300 by 2013

Science Foundation IrelandScience Foundation Ireland--Helping Ireland Recruit and Retain Research GroupsHelping Ireland Recruit and Retain Research Groups

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is a key organisation in the implementation of the NDP 2007-2013 and the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-2013.  A sum of €8.2 billion has been allocated for scientific research under the NDP and SSTI of which SFI has responsibility to invest €1.4 billion.  SFI will continue to invest in academic researchers and research teams who are most likely to generate new knowledge, leading edge technologies and competitive enterprises in the fields of science and engineering underpinning three broad areas:

Biotechnology Information and communications technology Sustainable energy and energy-efficient technologies 

In addition, the Research Frontiers Programme supports the very best research in a broad range of disciplines in Science, Mathematics and Engineering.

SFI makes grants based upon the merit review of distinguished scientists. SFI also advances co-operative efforts among education, government,

and industry that support its fields of emphasis and promotes Ireland’s ensuing achievements around the world.

What is Innovation and why is it What is Innovation and why is it important?important?

Innovation is the creative process of exploiting new ideas.

A more complex definition describes innovation as the exploitation of new ideas in pursuit of a competitive advantage, including the development of new or enhanced products and services and the introduction of new business models, new organisational structures or new work practices.

What is Innovation and why is it What is Innovation and why is it important? important? (Cont,)(Cont,)

While innovation has traditionally been seen as technology-led, it is today seen in a broader context. The EU recognises the need to raise the levels of innovation across both the technological and non-technological arenas. In December 2006, the EU Competitiveness Council adopted a broad-based innovation strategy as an integral part of the EU’s Competitiveness programme.

What is Innovation and why is it What is Innovation and why is it important? important? (Cont,)(Cont,)

Rather than being based necessarily on major breakthroughs, business innovation is often incremental and built on the day-to-day expertise of employees and their thorough knowledge of customers and competitors. For them, innovation may be about making non-technical adjustments that have significant customer impact with correspondingly little cost.

New thinking and policies on services innovation are being developed. Many services firms serving international markets from Ireland, for example, have been particularly successful in adopting innovative approaches to servicing international supply chains

Innovation and Public Policy

While enterprises and individuals are the primary sources of innovation, public policy can establish the right framework conditions for innovation to flourish. The State (Ireland) has committed €8.2 billion to implementing the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation.

Axes of Innovation

1. Knowledge creation – Building a world class research system2. Knowledge Transfer – From research to market place3. Skills Development – Life long learning and the National Skills

Strategy4. Public Procurement – Leverage for Innovation5. Networks, Clusters, & Gateways – Innovation through

collaboration6. Intellectual property protection and management –

maximising return on investment7. Services and emerging sectors – Innovation where it is most

needed and least expected8. Entrepreneurship and Business Expansion – The innovation

future9. Partnership and workplace innovation – The future of work10. Competition and better regulation – Government as a driver of

Innovation

Role of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Role of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Food Sector to the Irish EconomyFood Sector to the Irish Economy

Year 2007 Primary Sector

Agri-Food Sector

% of Gross value added

2.5 6.3

% of Employment 5.5 8.2

% of Exports 6.0 10.5

Land Usage (Ireland)Land Usage (Ireland)

Land Area 6.9 million Hectares 4.3 million ha agriculture 0.724 million ha for forestry 80 % of agriculture area is devoted to

pasture, 11% to rough grazing and 9% to crops.

Beef and milk production account for 56% of agriculture output.

Output at Producer PricesOutput at Producer Prices

Milk28%

Cattle27%

Forage13%

Pigs6%

Sheep4%Horses

4%

Poultry3%

Veg/ Crops/ Fruits14%

Other Livestock Products

1%

Value of Output at Producer level €5.7 billion

Farm IncomeFarm Income

Farm household income €58,000$44,819,387

State average income €54,000

Average farm income €20,000

Full time farmers income €44,000

80% of farmers or spouses had an off-farm source of incomeOn 41% of farms the holder had an off-farm job

Irish self sufficiency in selected agriculture Irish self sufficiency in selected agriculture produceproduce

%Total Meat 236 Beef 675 Pigment 149 Sheep meat 406 Poultry meat 95Milk 97 Butter 1054 Cheese 354Cereals 78

Agriculture and Food Research - Agriculture and Food Research - FundingFunding

European Community (EU) competitive funding to research organisations in Europe.

Competitive funding open to research organisations in Ireland (Irish Government)

Commercial organisations (contract research) Direct funding to Teagasc (Agriculture & Food

Development Authority)

European (FP7) – Food, Agriculture & European (FP7) – Food, Agriculture & Fisheries, and the BiotechnologyFisheries, and the Biotechnology

Objective The primary aim of funding the 'Food, Agriculture and Fisheries,

and Biotechnology' research theme under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) is to build a European Knowledge Based Bio-Economy (KBBE)

What will be funded? The EU Member States have earmarked more than € 1.9 billion

for funding this theme over the duration of FP7. The 'Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology' theme

is built around three major activities': Sustainable production and management of biological resources

from land, forest and aquatic environments; Fork to farm: Food (including seafood), health and well-being; Life sciences, biotechnology and biochemistry for sustainable non-

food products and processes.

Ireland (DAFF) – Research Stimulus FundIreland (DAFF) – Research Stimulus Fund

Research Stimulus Fund The Department of Agriculture and Food's Research Stimulus Fund

(RSF) is funded under the National Development Plan 2007-2013.

The Research Stimulus Fund provides funding, on a competitive basis, to the Irish research institutes for 'public good' agricultural production related research.

The main aims of the programme are to: Facilitate research that fills gaps in the mainstream programme, To support sustainable and competitive agricultural production practices and

policies Contribute to building and maintaining a knowledge economy and research

capability in the agriculture sector. Funding in excess of €43m has been provided under Calls held in 2005,

2006 and 2007 in respect of 85 projects in the Agri-Environment: Biodiversity, Nutrients and Gaseous Emissions, Animal Bioscience, Plant Bioscience, Non-Food Uses of Agricultural Land/Produce, Plant Health, Forestry and Agri-Economy & Policy areas

Ireland (DAFF) – Food Institutional Research Measure Ireland (DAFF) – Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM)(FIRM)((Funded under the National Development Plan)Funded under the National Development Plan)

Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM) The Department of Agriculture and Food's Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM)

is the primary national funding mechanism for food research in third level colleges and research institutes such as Teagasc . FIRM is a public good competitive programme whereby multi-disciplinary teams from two or more institutions usually carry out the research projects. Research outputs are communicated to industry by a dedicated dissemination team known as RELAY.

FIRM aims to develop public good technologies that will: Underpin a competitive, innovative and sustainable food manufacturing and

marketing sector. The programme is creating a base of knowledge and expertise in generic

technologies that will support a modern, consumer-focused industry and build Ireland's capacity for R&D.

A key output of the FIRM is highly trained young researchers at PhD and postdoctoral level, with specialist skills particularly relevant to the Irish food sector.

Awards (193 projects) of approximately €97 million were made during the period 2000-2006.

Teagasc – Agriculture and Food Development Authority

Director

AgricultureResearch Food Research Advisory

/Extension Service

Education/Vocational

TrainingAdministration

Board 11 Members

Teagasc Budget by Service allocationTeagasc Budget by Service allocation

26%

15%

31%

16%

3%9%

Agriculture ResearchFood ResearchAdvisory ServiceEducationSupport ServicesAdministration

Total Budget €160.8m

Source of Income

59%

10%

8%

2%

3%

2%16%

Grant fromGovernmentAdvisory Fees

External ResearchFundingLevies

Farm Operations

Analysis andContractsOthers

Research and Innovation Teagasc

ForesightForesight

Why ForesightWhy Foresight

As policy makers have to have a more rational basis for decision making, a vision is needed

As knowledge dynamics speed up, a framework is needed for emerging knowledge to be positioned

As the world grows more complex, a concept of how the pieces will interact help plan to-day.

Growth favours risk reduced environments, Foresight helps reduce risks

Socially, groups that are motivated around a visions can contribute more effectively towards it

ELIE FAROULTEU EU Foresight Unit

The Role of National Foresight The Role of National Foresight ProcessesProcesses

Vehicle for national debate on future prospects and policies to meet desired socio-economic goals

Positions various public / semi-public initiatives relative to each other, policy relationships and systemic structures in positive context

Translates science of to-day, technology of tomorrow into desired social aims like sustainability, quality of life etc day after tomorrow

Helps business make strategic decisions Helps national policy in global and regional arenas

ELIE FAROULTEU EU Foresight Unit

Some Typical Outcomes of NationalSome Typical Outcomes of NationalForesight ProcessesForesight Processes

Process takes over from content, continuity New networks created, can generate momentum Incomplete picture from narrow scopes Information disseminated, public aroused Forward Thinking Culture, positivism Regions and sectors can feed from it Interdisciplinary approaches enabled Human capital policies improved Policy framework going forward

ELIE FAROULTEU EU Foresight Unit

(Science & Technology) Foresight(Science & Technology) Foresight

Thinking the future Identifying today’s RTDI priorities on the basis of

scenarios of future developments in science and technology, society and economy.

Debating the future A participative process involving many and different

stakeholders (public authorities, industry, research organisations, non‑ governmental organisations, etc.)

Shaping the future Identifying possible futures, imagining desirable futures,

and defining strategies. Results are fed into public decision-making but also help participants themselves to develop or adjust their strategies.

ELIE FAROULTEU EU Foresight Unit

The Emerging Irish Knowledge-The Emerging Irish Knowledge-Based Bio-Economy – Based Bio-Economy –

Positioning Teagasc to Grasp Positioning Teagasc to Grasp the Opportunitythe Opportunity

The nature of profound change – a The nature of profound change – a unique historical opportunityunique historical opportunity

“Farming, or the management of the natural resources, now stands in the front line of the sustainable development in the modern global economy and we are already living through a process of transition to a sustainable knowledge-based bio-economy, or KBBE ” …

• An end to the era of cheap food – a growing consensus that we are facing trend of real food price increases

• Food security back on the agenda• Opportunities presented by the onset of ‘peak oil’ and transition to

post-petroleum economy• Need to address impacts of climate change• Need to sustainably manage natural resources• Opportunities presented by structural shifts in consumer food

preferences, e.g. food for health, etc.

Agriculture’s contribution to the Agriculture’s contribution to the ‘knowledge economy’‘knowledge economy’

A key proposition …Agriculture’s role and contribution to the promotion of the ‘knowledge economy’ can be best captured by its ability to maximize the contribution that is possible through exploitation of the resources of the bio-economy.

What is the bio-economy or bio-What is the bio-economy or bio-sector?sector?

The bio-economy represents economic activity that uses renewable bio-resources and bio-processes to produce sustainable bio-products, jobs and income.

It encompasses the natural and biological resources that provide the raw materials for the products we depend on across all areas of life embracing food, animal feed, fuel and industrial materials.

A Strategic Vision for TeagascA Strategic Vision for Teagasc

Teagasc will be viewed as …

An internationally recognized centre of excellence that supports the innovation needs of the Irish agri-food sector and the wider bio-economy.

Teagasc activity in the medium termTeagasc activity in the medium term

Innovation support via science-based ‘knowledge transfer’

Commodity food production and processing High value-added food processing Public goods and services Other bio-production and processing activity

Challenges Food security Energy security Climate change Sustainability Motivating the next

generation Market & policy change Low technological

absorption capacity Processing capacity Globalization

Opportunities Growing markets Good incomes & lifestyle Comparative advantage

in grass Abolition of quotas Bio-economy potential Functional foods Recreational value of

natural resources Exploitation of new

technology

Farmers of the future Business focused Sustainable Highly educated Knowledge intensive Open to new models of

doing business Ability to cope with risk Producers of food, feed

and bio-products Overseas investment

Processors of the Future Knowledge intensive Sustainable Highly skilled More concentrated Greater production of

local and artisan products

Functional foods Bio-products & services

The bio-economy – a key sector in The bio-economy – a key sector in future national prosperityfuture national prosperity

Bio-economy exports €14.3 billion(10.7% GNP) and growing… Driven by indigenous raw materials &

knowledge base GNP contribution per 100 € of exports …

Bio-economy (incl. agri-food) = €48 Non-bio-economy = €19

‘Innovation is about new-ideas adding-value …’

ResearchResearch Produce knowledge e.g. Den 1% of need Publish or perish Do it yourself (authorship) Just in case Discipline and curiosity

driven Converts $ to knowledge

InnovationInnovation Converts knowledge to €s Access knowledge e.g. Den 99% of need Demo or die Get it done (strategic) Just in time Multi-disciplinary, agnostic

and problem oriented

Teagasc MissionTeagasc Mission

“To support science-based innovation in the agri-food sector and the wider bio-economy that will underpin profitability, competitiveness and sustainability”…

Teagasc VisionTeagasc Vision

“To be internationally recognized for providing excellent science-based innovation support for the agri-food sector and the wider bio-economy”…

Teagasc goalTeagasc goal

“To help build sustainable rural communities”…

Uniqueness of Teagasc as a knowledge Uniqueness of Teagasc as a knowledge providerprovider

One institution combines knowledge creation (research) knowledge transfer (advisory) knowledge absorption (education & training)

High level of resources devoted to knowledge transfer

Focus on transfer of useable knowledge

Teagasc –a key player in Ireland’s knowledge Teagasc –a key player in Ireland’s knowledge economyeconomy

7% of R&D spend 200+ research staff 300+ advisory staff 60+ educationalists 333 undergraduates 175 4th level (Ph.D) students 100+ locations

The traditional ‘knowledge-transfer system The traditional ‘knowledge-transfer system – ‘Gatekeeper’ Model– ‘Gatekeeper’ Model

The Agri-Food &Rural Economy

Teagasc

-Advisory

-Training

-Research

Partners

The future ‘knowledge transfer’ system The future ‘knowledge transfer’ system ‘Open innovation’ model‘Open innovation’ model

The BioEconomy

Pillar 1Pillar 1 –Food Production and Processing

Pillar 2Pillar 2 : Value added food Processing

Pillar 3Pillar 3 : Agri environmental Products and Services

Pillar 4Pillar 4 : Energy & BioProcessing

Global Partners

European Partners

Irish Partners

Teagasc -Advisory

-Training

-Research

Realising the vision – axes of innovation Realising the vision – axes of innovation supportsupport

Partnership…Leadership…Accountability…

‘‘Knowledge is the lever of riches’Knowledge is the lever of riches’