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Competencies for Agricultural Advisors in Innovation Support

Author

Listed:
  • Charlotte Lybaert

    (Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium)

  • Lies Debruyne

    (Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium)

  • Eva Kyndt

    (Department for Training and Education Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
    Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne 3122, Australia)

  • Fleur Marchand

    (Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
    Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium)

Abstract

The expectation that agricultural advisors will facilitate Interactive Innovation is accompanied by novel expectations for their competency profile. In addition to their traditional technical basis, advisors are now expected to organise multi-actor processes, facilitate learning, mediate conflict, etc. Innovation support services are inherently diverse. To date, no precise list of competencies required by agricultural advisors to support Interactive Innovation has been defined. To form the basis for a competency profile, we examine the competencies currently being expected from an agricultural advisor. This suggested profile, developed in the context of the H2020 i2connect project, is based on a literature review, semi-structured interviews with co-creation experts, and an online validation workshop. We explore five themes: (a) basic disposition and attitude, (b) content competence, (c) methodological competence, (d) organisational competence, and (e) reflection, learning, and personal development. In practice, the profile can be used as either a tool for setting up co-creation processes or as the foundation for the development of new training materials. We conclude with a recommendation to create teams of advisors rather than relying on individuals, as a team is more likely to comprise the diversity of required competencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Charlotte Lybaert & Lies Debruyne & Eva Kyndt & Fleur Marchand, 2021. "Competencies for Agricultural Advisors in Innovation Support," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2021:i:1:p:182-:d:710800
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kilelu, Catherine W. & Klerkx, Laurens & Leeuwis, Cees, 2013. "Unravelling the role of innovation platforms in supporting co-evolution of innovation: Contributions and tensions in a smallholder dairy development programme," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 65-77.
    2. Julie Ingram, 2008. "Agronomist–farmer knowledge encounters: an analysis of knowledge exchange in the context of best management practices in England," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 25(3), pages 405-418, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Miloš Hitka & Lenka Ližbetinová, 2023. "Human potential of talents in agriculture and forestry in context of Agriculture 4.0," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 69(6), pages 223-233.

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