Advisory services in the field of plant nutrition are provided, depending on the federal
state (and the
importance of horticulture), by:
- Official bodies (e.g., Chambers of
Agriculture and subordinate institutions, such as teaching
and research stations),
- Specialists often based at universities,
- Private advisory organizations (e.g.,
advisory networks) or highly specialized consultants, or
- The fertilizer industry.
As the economic importance of food production is falling behind industrial production
and services,
it is generally observed that the support for intensive agricultural production is shifting towards
the
field of environmental protection. Accordingly, publicly funded research, development and teaching
was reduced. An exception are regions where agriculture is still a major source of employment and
income and therefore the support is kept up.
