GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: VLADE ZARIC, DIRECTOR OF AGRONET
Founded in 2018 under the auspices of the University of Belgrade-Faculty of Agriculture, AgroNET-Center for Education and Research aims to make significant progress in Serbia’s agricultural sector. Could you please elaborate on the key objectives and mission of AgroNET? How does the organization intend to bridge the gap between academia, industry, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector to achieve its goals?
The AgroNET mission is the top quality of applied and development research, as well as education and creation of an efficient system of knowledge transfer in the field of agriculture, food technology, agricultural economics, environmental protection, sustainable development, and capacity development of all participants in Serbian economic life, which will lead to the improvement of the quality of life in accordance with the social needs of Serbia. Our vision is to become the leading center for education and research in the Western Balkans in the field of food, which offers the latest knowledge and skills for practice, and to achieve long-term international recognition and acceptability of our research and results in our fields.
Since our establishment, we have been aware that the training we provide must not be conventional academic sector training, but rather it must respond to the needs of the business sector. We have established an efficient system for creating training programs tailored to the agricultural sector’s needs, based on a model we developed in collaboration with colleagues from the Postharvest Technology Center at the University of California-Davis, who have been providing professional training for over 70 years.
We believe that only permanent, ongoing education and monitoring and adoption of new knowledge can increase capacity in all segments to create new value.
Through an efficient system of knowledge transfer in the entire agricultural sector, relying on ICT technologies, we can significantly contribute to the development of the economy in this sector and encourage the exchange of skills and resources to improve product quality by establishing common production standards. If we build the system on these foundations, all activities will be market-oriented, and this will contribute to economic impact and sustainability.
A successful model of knowledge transfer in the agricultural sector must respond to the needs of economic entities and is created according to the needs of industry and not according to what the scientific institution considers necessary or that can be applied to other sectors.
In recent years, AgroNET has effectively executed numerous projects in collaboration with partners such as USAID and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Could you kindly provide further details about these partnerships and elaborate on how these projects have contributed to the organization’s mission and the advancement of the agricultural sector in Serbia?
We take pride in the recognition of AgroNET as a partner by organizations such as USAID and FAO, which uphold high standards. I can confidently say that AgroNET has grown and developed primarily through collaboration with USAID. Additionally, we have been fortunate that both donor organizations have focused on the areas of horticulture, climate change, and adaptation measures, which align with our areas of interest.
The projects we have undertaken were created through partnerships, with shared goals always being defined collaboratively. It has been our constant priority to ensure that our training programs provide practical solutions to the specific challenges faced by producers and processors in their operations. By delivering high-quality and applicable knowledge, we have contributed to the enhancement of the agricultural sector. This is evidenced by the growing number of companies that regularly send their employees to our courses.
Furthermore, we have played a role in training the agricultural advisory sector and the Ministry of Agriculture in Serbia through our collaboration with FAO, focusing on capacity development in the context of Climate Change/Disaster Risk Reduction (CC/DRR) and Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA).
Earlier this year, AgroNET, as one of the implementing partners, collaborated with EDGE, the German Agency for International Cooperation’s (GIZ) Support to Economic Diversification of Rural Areas in Southeast Europe (SEDRA) II Project, and USAID’s Serbia Big Small Businesses Project to successfully implement a range of diverse training courses, focusing on advancements in berry cultivation, adoption of renewable energy solutions, and the implementation of intensive vegetable production. Could you please share specific instances illustrating how these training sessions have translated into tangible enhancements in participants’ agricultural approaches and businesses?
The implementation of these training programs, which would not have been possible without the collaboration with the mentioned projects, holds significant importance for us. It has contributed to our positioning in the region, with participation from companies in North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
As you may know, we conduct evaluations during, at the end, and several months after the completion of our training programs. The best response to your question can be summarized by quoting some of the feedback we received from the participating companies. For example:
“Exceptionally high-quality instructors and lectures enabled me to apply what I learned and achieve increased yields and berry quality during the June-July 2023 harvest.”
“We have initiated the implementation of protective measures to safeguard against the adverse effects of climate change, and our company is developing a plan for the use of renewable energy sources such as solar panels and heat pumps.”
“I rarely have the opportunity to learn something new that is useful for me as a producer and will benefit my vegetable production, which includes cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers. This course provided me with that opportunity, and thanks to the new knowledge, I plan to introduce varieties that are not commonly grown in our region, which I first learned about in this course.”
These testimonials highlight the practical impact of our training programs and the positive changes they bring to the participants and their businesses.
With a focus on strengthening the capacity of local SMEs in the fruit and vegetable sector, the project “Professional Courses for Companies in the Fruit and Vegetable Sector” outlines a series of activities to enhance market access and regional competitiveness. Could you provide an overview of the project’s main goals and its key phases, particularly highlighting the significance of the preparatory phase and its contributions to establishing effective partnerships and strategies?
The main goal of the project is to build the capacity of professionals and entrepreneurs in the fruit and vegetable industries by offering sustainable, innovative courses that can quickly upgrade their skills and knowledge to help their companies in key areas where the industry lacks capacity: exports and trade, latest trends in agribusiness, sales and marketing, ICT and E-commerce solutions for SMEs, new technologies, product development, etc.
The long-term outcome of this activity is to build a professional workforce equipped with the knowledge and required skill sets that will contribute to the increase in competitiveness of companies in domestic and international markets.
In order to create a course that provides companies with the knowledge they need, it is crucial to assess their specific requirements. Therefore, in the preparatory phase of this project, we will start by conducting a brief analysis to assess the state of the agricultural sector in North Macedonia and Serbia. Following that, we will conduct a needs assessment with companies. Based on this comprehensive understanding, and in collaboration with our project partner, the University of St. Cyril and Methodius, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food in Skopje, North Macedonia, we will develop the course content.
To assist our partner from North Macedonia, we will also produce a publication, a Handbook titled “How to Create Sustainable Training Courses for the Fruit and Vegetable Sector.” This handbook will be based on AgroNET’s successful experience in developing and implementing courses in the agricultural sector.
I would like to emphasize another essential aspect of the project, which we believe is crucial — company networking. Our goal is to encourage collaboration among companies in North Macedonia and Serbia. We will be organizing a B2B event because cooperation and establishing business connections significantly contribute to improving market access and competitiveness of companies.
By focusing on the specific needs of companies and fostering collaboration among them, our aim is to develop a comprehensive and efficient training program that not only addresses existing shortcomings but also promotes shared growth and success within the agricultural sector in the region.
Amid the gradual agricultural improvements in most Western Balkan countries on their path to European Union accession, what are some of the primary challenges these countries encounter as they strive to implement necessary agricultural reforms and align with EU standards, ensuring the development of a sustainable and competitive agricultural sector in the region?
We firmly believe that continuous education is essential for the agricultural sector to align with EU standards and ensure competitiveness. The application of modern technologies is crucial, and therefore, one must constantly enhance their knowledge. There are many challenges for the agricultural sector. The challenges posed by climate change will require ongoing adaptation efforts. One of the key challenges in agriculture is ensuring an adequate supply of diverse, safe, and healthy food for a growing population while minimizing environmental impact. Hence, risk identification, resource optimization, increased productivity, and cost reduction are all pivotal factors for modern agriculture in the region.
As the agricultural sector continues to evolve, technological advancements are playing a pivotal role in shaping its trajectory. With this in mind, could you discuss some of the prominent technological advancements and innovations that are currently shaping the global agricultural landscape? How are these innovations impacting productivity, sustainability, and resource efficiency within the industry?
Agriculture is one of the oldest industries in the world, which is why it sometimes lags in terms of technological advancement. To ensure sustainability, farmers must now embrace digital transformation. Advancements in agricultural technology will help make food systems transparent, safe, and sustainable throughout the value chain. This will contribute to waste reduction, increased productivity, customer trust, and, importantly for producers, higher profit margins. The phrase currently most mentioned in agriculture is “precision agriculture.” It employs a range of high-tech tools for analysis, such as drones, satellites, and field sensors, to collect data that aids in decisions on optimizing soil quality and productivity.
However, as all Western Balkan countries are grappling with a labor shortage, agricultural robotics, which are still in their early technological development, will be a key area for growth. Robotic systems are already extensively used in the dairy industry, but it is predicted that they will intensively develop in activities such as weeding, harvesting, and picking over the next decade.
Technological innovations and their application undoubtedly bring progress, and their implementation requires modern knowledge and continuous education. It’s important to keep in mind that for the upcoming generations of farmers, digitization is not a foreign concept, and they are open to adopting these technologies. Recognizing the importance of digitization, AgroNET has initiated the “Digitalization of Knowledge in Agriculture” activity. Our goal is to provide producers from the Western Balkans with contemporary knowledge in digital format through appropriate digital content, including educational materials, professional resources, and video clips translated into 20 world and regional languages.
