Spain: Presentation of its National Programme for Agri-Food and Forestry Innovation

Isabel García Tejerina presented, together with Carmen Vela, Secretary of State for Research, Development and Innovation of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the National Programme for Agri-Food and Forestry Innovation.

To elaborate this Plan, the needs for real innovation in the sector were identified and prioritized in the first place, with the aid of a consultation to all the Autonomous Communities, 142 organizations representing the food and forestry sector, and a total of 34 technical units of the Ministry itself.

Thanks to this work, 72 lines of innovation and research have been identified, leading to the outlining of 8 strategic actions, ranging from natural resources to production systems, technological processes, food quality, the backbone of the food chain, management tools, security and traceability and social innovation. In addition, these 8 large areas have been incorporated into the action lines of the EU and national policies that result in calls and grants for R+D+I.