120 likes | 203 Views
R ural entrepreneurship in relation to innovation Perspectives from The Young Friends of the Countryside (YFCS) Brussels June 2013. Definition.
E N D
Rural entrepreneurship in relation to innovationPerspectives from The Young Friends of the Countryside (YFCS)BrusselsJune 2013
Definition Young Friends of the Countryside is a European membership association for future and young private landowners and rural business people aged between 18 and 35 years old Widely known by its acronym, YFCS is recognized by the European Union as an International Non Profit Organisation
Objectives European Environmental Policies Channel ideas at EU level through ELO Estates & Historical Houses inheritance European Rural Business Opportunities Leverage on members’ innovative countryside experiences Estates & Historical Houses Management
YFCS – Connectionwith ELO ELO General Assembly ELO Consultative Committee Board Board Policy Group Staff Staff Board Board Members Members
YFCS members are frequently informed on 16 carefully selected areas of focus – particularly in relation to rural entrepreneurship and its various opportunities YFCS – Information
Opportunities and threatsleading to research and innovation – water • Water is a crucial production factor for food production and environmental services • The land manager, being aware of the crucial importance of water in rural enterpreneurship, implements research ideas and develops innovative solutions, i.e. • Rainwater harvesting, water reuse • Biotechnology • Crop rotations that make best use of available water • Adjustments of sowing dates
Food Security • Rising food prices increase the incentives for deforestation, which again is a major cause of global warming. • Climate effect of deforestation and conversion of pasture into crop land: 18 per cent. • This is more than the climate effect of global manufacturing and more than the climate effect of global transportation. World food security likely to become a significant political issue (civil unrest, migration). (Professor Harald von Witzke, 2013)
Increasing price of food generates new employment and income opportunities for farmers, and for upstream and downstream industries.
Research shows that agricultural research is among the socially most profitable investments in industrial countries and developing nations alike. • Foster innovation and productivity growth: Agricultural research policy will have to be a key component in the new international agricultural policy agenda. • Increase public agricultural research investment. • Encourage private agricultural research investmenmt.