{"type": "FeatureCollection", "features": [{"id": "10.1111/sum.12452", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-06-23T16:19:52Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2018-09-19", "title": "Are advisory services \u201cfit for purpose\u201d to support sustainable soil management? An assessment of advice in Europe", "description": "Abstract

This assessment examines the extent to which advisory services are able to address current and emerging knowledge needs of practitioners (primarily farmers) about sustainable soil management ( SSM ) in Europe. The assessment is structured around the following components: the context of advice (policy, market, socio\uffe2\uff80\uff90economic conditions, privatization of advisory systems); the challenges that SSM presents for advice; the current and emerging practitioner knowledge needs; and the existing structure and function of advisory services for SSM . The analysis reveals fragmented policy and advisory services, paralleled by the multi\uffe2\uff80\uff90scale character of SSM and a diverse audience for advice. The challenges and opportunities this complex arena presents are analysed, and suggestions made for achieving more effective advisory services for SSM , together with examples of existing approaches.

The need to provide appropriate information, technical advice and facilitation to support farmers in transitioning towards healthy soils is increasingly clear, and the role of the Agricultural Advisory Services (AAS) in this is critical. However, the transformation of AAS (plurality, commercialisation, fragmentation, decentralisation) brings new challenges for delivering advice to support soil health management. This paper asks: To what extent do agricultural advisory services have the capacity to support the transition to healthy soils across Europe? Using the \u2018best fit\u2019 framework, analytical characteristics of the AAS relevant to the research question (governance structures, management, organisational and individual capacities) were identified. Analysis of 18 semi-structured expert interviews across 6 case study countries in Europe, selected to represent a range of contexts, was undertaken. Capacities to provide soil health management (SHM) advice are constrained by funding arrangements, limited adviser training and professional development, adviser motivations and professional cultures, all determined by institutional conditions. This has resulted in a narrowing down of access and content of soil advice and a reduced capacity to support the transition in farming to healthy soils. The extent to which emerging policy and market drivers incentivise enhanced capacities in AAS is an important area for future research.

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The need to provide appropriate information, technical advice and facilitation to support farmers in transitioning towards healthy soils is increasingly clear, and the role of the Agricultural Advisory Services (AAS) in this is critical. However, the transformation of AAS (plurality, commercialisation, fragmentation, decentralisation) brings new challenges for delivering advice to support soil health management. This paper asks: To what extent do agricultural advisory services have the capacity to support the transition to healthy soils across Europe? Using the \u2018best fit\u2019 framework, analytical characteristics of the AAS relevant to the research question (governance structures, management, organisational and individual capacities) were identified. Analysis of 18 semi-structured expert interviews across 6 case study countries in Europe, selected to represent a range of contexts, was undertaken. Capacities to provide soil health management (SHM) advice are constrained by funding arrangements, limited adviser training and professional development, adviser motivations and professional cultures, all determined by institutional conditions. This has resulted in a narrowing down of access and content of soil advice and a reduced capacity to support the transition in farming to healthy soils. The extent to which emerging policy and market drivers incentivise enhanced capacities in AAS is an important area for future research.

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This assessment examines the extent to which advisory services are able to address current and emerging knowledge needs of practitioners (primarily farmers) about sustainable soil management (SSM) in Europe. The assessment is structured around the following components: the context of advice (policy, market, socio\uffe2\uff80\uff90economic conditions, privatization of advisory systems); the challenges that SSM presents for advice; the current and emerging practitioner knowledge needs; and the existing structure and function of advisory services for SSM. The analysis reveals fragmented policy and advisory services, paralleled by the multi\uffe2\uff80\uff90scale character of SSM and a diverse audience for advice. The challenges and opportunities this complex arena presents are analysed, and suggestions made for achieving more effective advisory services for SSM, together with examples of existing approaches.