Given the food waste, fragmented supply chains, and the growing population that needs to be fed with the same amount of land, the conclusion is that the agricultural sector needs a global transformation.Â
Vivien Bodereau, EIT Food’s Net Zero Food System Mission Lead, confirmed that there is a great need for change and that the goals that the EIT wants to achieve are healthier diets, a net zero food system and reducing the risk of hunger. EIT Food works with 600 organizations from 38 countries to incorporate the results of its programs into future policies.
Adam Strzelecki, Senior Project Manager at EIT Food, said: “All of their programmes have been created by the EU to support the innovation of sectors that they consider very important. There are various instruments that are being developed to support people to apply innovative ideas and turn them into a business. The EIT provides support in the purchase of equipment, as well as the support of trainers, mentors, educators.
Ivanka Stojnić, Sustainability Manager at Nestlé, spoke about the importance of switching from traditional to regenerative agriculture.
 – 40% of raw materials are procured from Serbia. Together with many of you, we have worked intensively to bring this topic closer to the Ministry. A working group has been formed, which should start in mid-November, so we hope that through this active participation we will be one step closer to bringing some changes – said Stojnić.
Emilija Stefanovic, Head of Development Cooperation and Donor Relations at Donau Soja, agrees that changes are necessary, and that they will only happen if everyone works together.
“The age structure is such that these traditional values have a much greater significance. I think it is very important that, in addition to education, we work on raising awareness that we still have 60 harvests left and that land is a resource that can dry up – Stefanović concluded.