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This issue focuses on opportunities for “improving competitiveness of primary producers by better integrating them into the agri-food chain” – one of the Focus Areas of EU Rural Development policy.

The publication provides an overview of the various means for adding value in food and drink supply chains. It goes on to explore major market opportunities for rural producers in terms of: increasing the rural market; improving access to urban markets; and accessing the market for public food.

The publication stresses the importance of targeted strategies for supporting smarter supply chains using effective links with research and the Rural Development Programmes (RDPs).

This issue highlights the value of the organic approach to agriculture and the rural economy, as well as its wider societal and environmental benefits. It further provides insight into the evolving European policy landscape - including a detailed profile of the European Commission’s Action Plan on the Future of Organic Production in Europe - and the course it is setting for the future of the sector.

Networking is a policy instrument within the framework of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) – otherwise known as Pillar 2 of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Experience shows that networks are an effective means of informing, inspiring and empowering local people in rural communities.