Changes in Agricultural Knowledge and Information Systems: Case Study of Poland

The paper has analyzed and evaluated the existing concepts of relations between science and education, advisory services and agricultural practice in the aspect of strengthening competitiveness of the agricultural sector of the EU and also has identified the most important elements of agricultural knowledge system (AKS) in Poland and the assessment of their relationship. The source material was literature review on the subject, statistical data and quality assessment of the relationship between stakeholders achieved as a result of a two-days panel discussion. The results indicate that the traditional concepts of linear links between science and agricultural practice are replaced with innovative concepts of networking. In Poland, there is not yet a well-functioning system of agricultural knowledge. Despite the existence of all the links in the classical system of knowledge existing links between them are highly varied. Very strong links exist only between agricultural advisors and farmers, strong between advisory, and research & education, between advisory and agricultural policy, and between farmers and companies selling agricultural inputs and purchasing agricultural products. Other links have been identified as weak.