The EWA Workshop: Innovations in the Agrifood Sector and the Impact of Climate Change

EWA group session Mato Mrkalj i Sandra Vlašić

As part of the Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) program, an online workshop was held on September 26, 2024, bringing together women entrepreneurs participating in the EWA program with the aim of educating them on key challenges and solutions for a sustainable future. The main topics of this workshop were innovations in the Agrifood sector and responses to increasingly prominent climate changes. This workshop is part of a series, including one led by Marija Mažić in August, which focused on empathy and active listening in business. The next workshop is scheduled for October 23, 2024, and will cover financial management.

Innovations in the Agrifood Sector

The workshop was opened by Mato Mrkalj, Director of RDP Technology and an expert in digital solutions for agriculture. Mato’s presentation focused on the importance of introducing innovations that can increase the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production. He emphasized that digital agriculture is becoming increasingly important, as it enables the collection and analysis of data in new ways, making it easier for farmers to make better decisions. Additionally, he highlighted that the European Union is further encouraging investments in digital agriculture, and such investments are a mandatory part of business plans for companies intending to apply for European funding programs.

Positive examples of startups in Croatia and globally, whose solutions can significantly contribute to the development of the agrifood sector, were also mentioned. One such example is the Croatian startup Agrivi, which develops farm management software, enabling farmers to monitor the entire food production process—from sowing to the final product. Digital solutions like those offered by Agrivi help farmers better manage resources, reduce costs, and minimize the impact of climate change on their operations.

Mato Mrkalj - Inovacije u agrifood sektoru - Agrivi Engage

The speaker emphasized that data is a key resource in modern agriculture and that combining technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers new opportunities for optimizing production. These technologies improve efficiency, reduce errors, and help farmers anticipate potential issues. As a result, agriculture has become more sustainable and resilient to its challenges in the 21st century.

In addition to innovations in agriculture, the speaker emphasized the importance of the European “Farm to Fork” strategy, which aims to transform food systems into more sustainable, fair, and climate-resilient ones. This strategy is focused on making agricultural production beneficial for the environment while also being economically viable, ensuring that all people have access to healthy and safe food.

Mato Mrkalj - Farm 2 Fork (Od polja do stola)

In addition to the Farm to Fork strategy, the importance of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was highlighted, which is the European Union’s seven-year plan for rural development. This policy, encompassing all EU member states, provides funding through the **European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)** and promotes sustainable agricultural development through national programs. For the 2023-2027 period, €378.5 billion has been allocated at the EU level, with Croatia utilizing its allocated funds through the Agency for Payments in Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development (APPRRR).

Climate Change - The Basics

Klimatske promjene - the basics

After Mato’s presentation and a brief QA session, Sandra Vlašić, Executive Director of Terra Hub Croatia, continued with her lecture. Sandra provided insights into climate change, its causes, and its far-reaching impact on agriculture and other aspects of life. She discussed in detail the issue of the global temperature rise and how the current 1.3°C increase is already bringing a range of serious consequences, including more frequent and severe extreme weather conditions such as droughts, floods, and other natural disasters. According to reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), without urgent and drastic action, climate change will continue to threaten agricultural systems worldwide.

The speaker also addressed the global causes of climate change and, through an overview of energy consumption by individual production sectors, explained how agriculture contributes to the global temperature rise. She highlighted how agricultural practices, particularly those related to land use, livestock, and resource management, play a significant role in greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn accelerates climate change.

Additionally, the speaker emphasized the importance of adapting to new climate conditions and shared several practical solutions that can help combat climate change. Among them are solar energy systems and the use of biowaste to produce biogas, which enable sustainable resource management and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These solutions offer a way to integrate renewable energy sources into agricultural practices, making farming more resilient and environmentally friendly.

Participants about the Workshop:

“Innovations in agriculture and the importance of digitalization were extremely interesting and useful. These topics provide insight into the future of the sector.”

“The workshops were informative and supported by excellent examples. I especially appreciated the emphasis on sustainability and climate change.”

“This workshop was extremely beneficial for our business, providing us with tools to adapt to climate challenges.”

Conclusion and the next steps

The workshop provided participants with an opportunity to better understand digital technologies and climate challenges, as well as how innovations can be applied to solve these issues. The Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) program continues to support women entrepreneurs through education, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

The next workshop within the program will be held on October 23, 2024, where participants will have the opportunity to learn more about business skills and innovative strategies for developing sustainable businesses.

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