EUFRAS Highlights the Role of Agricultural Advisors in Climate-Smart Farming at Latvia’s AKIS Seminar

On 13 October 2026, agricultural advisors, researchers, farmers and other stakeholders gathered at the LLKC Training and Demonstration Centre “Lielozoli” in Latvia for the annual Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) seminar. Organized jointly by three Horizon Europe projects — ClimateSmartAdvisors, GOOD and AdvisoryNetPEST — the event provided a platform for exchanging knowledge, discussing practical challenges and exploring solutions for more sustainable agriculture.

For EUFRAS, a partner in the ClimateSmartAdvisors project, the seminar was an opportunity to contribute to discussions on how agricultural advisory services can help farmers respond to climate change and strengthen the resilience of their farms. Edgars Dzelme, EUFRAS Project Manager and agricultural crop production advisor at the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre (LLKC), moderated a panel discussion on the challenges faced by new and experienced climate-smart advisors in Latvia.

Climate-smart advice starts with understanding the whole farm

The panel brought together agricultural specialists from LLKC to discuss what climate-smart advisory work means in practice and how advisors can help farmers adapt to increasingly unpredictable weather conditions.

A key message was that climate change is already affecting decisions on farms. Changing weather patterns challenge established farming routines and require greater flexibility, with decisions based on actual conditions rather than following fixed calendars or relying solely on traditional practices.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of looking at the farm as a whole. Climate-smart advice goes beyond individual agronomic or livestock-related recommendations. Advisors need to consider the interaction between crop and livestock production, soil health, available resources, farm economics and long-term development.

Equally important are the relationships between advisors and farmers. Listening to farmers, understanding their needs, building trust and identifying solutions suited to each individual farm are essential elements of effective advisory work. As the discussion emphasised, there is no single solution that works for every farm, even when farms appear similar.

Reflecting on the discussion, Edgars Dzelme, EUFRAS Project Manager, emphasized the importance of collaboration and continuous learning:

“Climate-smart agriculture is not about having all the answers, but about asking the right questions and finding practical solutions together with farmers. As agricultural advisors, we need to connect scientific knowledge with real-life farming experience, learn from each other and help farmers make informed decisions that strengthen both farm resilience and environmental sustainability. The discussion highlighted that, regardless of experience, we all have something to contribute and something to learn.”

Turning knowledge and innovation into practical solutions

The seminar also explored tools that can support advisors and farmers in making informed decisions, including the plant health platform “Vesels augs”, RIMpro and the digital farm management platform “Mans lauks”. Participants discussed both the potential of digital solutions and the need for continued funding, development and awareness-raising to ensure that these tools are accessible and used effectively.

These discussions reflect a central objective of ClimateSmartAdvisors: strengthening the capacity of agricultural advisors to support the transition towards climate-smart farming. Advisors play a crucial role in connecting scientific knowledge, innovative practices and farmers’ everyday decisions. They help interpret information, assess options and adapt recommendations to the specific conditions of each farm.

The seminar also introduced opportunities for international cooperation through Horizon Europe Cluster 6 and the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”, highlighting the potential for new research and innovation projects and collaboration between organizations.

Strengthening advisory networks across Europe

ClimateSmartAdvisors works to connect and mobilize the European agricultural advisory community, supporting advisors in developing the knowledge, skills and networks needed to accelerate the adoption of climate-smart practices.

Events such as the AKIS seminar in Latvia contribute to this objective by bringing project activities into national discussions and creating opportunities for advisors to share experiences, identify common challenges and learn from one another. They also help connect research and innovation with the practical realities of farming.

For EUFRAS, participation in ClimateSmartAdvisors reflects its commitment to strengthening agricultural advisory services and fostering cooperation across Europe. By supporting knowledge exchange and collaboration between advisors, researchers and farmers, EUFRAS contributes to building advisory systems that can respond to the changing needs of agriculture.

The seminar's key message was clear: climate-smart farming is not simply about adopting new technologies or individual practices. It requires a holistic understanding of each farm, the ability to adapt to changing conditions and close cooperation between farmers and advisors. Empowering advisors to fulfil this role is an important step towards more resilient and sustainable European agriculture.

About ClimateSmartAdvisors

ClimateSmartAdvisors is a Horizon Europe project that aims to connect and mobilize the European agricultural advisory community to accelerate the transition to climate-smart farming. Through networking, knowledge exchange and capacity-building activities, the project supports advisors in helping farmers adopt practices that strengthen resilience to climate change.

Learn more: https://climatesmartadvisors.eu/