EIT Food Celebrates the Success of the 2nd International Forum on Regenerative Agriculture, BIO_REACTION

Held on June 13, 2024, in Pierzchno near Poznań, Poland, this event brought together agricultural entrepreneurs, experts, scientists, industry representatives, and media from around the world. It served as a vibrant platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas, advancing the field of regenerative agriculture and fostering international collaboration.

19 Jun 2024

A Platform for Knowledge Exchange and Networking

The forum provided an unparalleled platform for networking and the international exchange of experiences. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in insightful panel discussions on various aspects of regenerative agriculture, including its evolution, the responsibility of farmers to maintain soil richness, and the role of this approach in ensuring high yields. Farmers involved in the EIT Food Regenerative Agriculture Programme shared their experiences, enriching the dialogue.

BIO_RAECTION explored the future of enterprises within a sustainable food supply chain, considering the impacts of climate change, geopolitics, and economic factors. Discussions also highlighted technical and digital solutions that support regenerative agriculture, and examined how sustainable food supply chain systems influence consumer purchasing decisions. Moreover, the event showcased EIT Food as a transformational model of cooperation between agricultural entrepreneurs and the agri-food industry, emphasisng the importance of innovation in fostering these collaborations.

Highlight on the Regenerative Innovation Portfolio

Adam Adamek, Chief Impact Officer of EIT Food and a key speaker at the event, emphasized the significance of the Regenerative Innovation Portfolio, stating, "The Portfolio was established as an initiative of the Food Innovation Hub Europe and implemented by Foodvalley and EIT Food. As the largest innovation community in the agrifood sector, we are building a future food system that produces healthy and sustainable food for everyone. One of our three missions is zero-emission food systems. By scaling regenerative agriculture, we aim to decarbonize our food systems while enhancing biodiversity and improving farm resilience to crises. Our role involves connecting supply chain participants in landscape-level projects to ensure transparency and compliance with international policies."

Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Forefront

"Innovation and entrepreneurship are the driving forces of future agriculture. Every agrifood sector startup participating in BIO_REACTION presented solutions addressing the real needs of both farmers and consumers," said Ewa Karólewska, Senior Manager of Startups at EIT Food. "We invited six startups from EIT Food programmes to showcase their innovative solutions:"

Power Cob: Specializes in transforming agricultural waste into sustainable bioenergy solutions.
Insignes Labs: Develops innovative biostimulants and biofertilizers that enhance plant growth and soil health.
Ekolive: Utilizes eco-bioleaching technology to improve soil fertility and promote sustainable farming practices.
AgroCarbon: Focuses on producing biochar from organic waste to enhance soil fertility and sequester carbon.
HiProMine: Implements insect farming techniques to create sustainable animal feed and organic fertilizers.
EcoBean: Converts coffee waste into valuable resources like biofuels and soil enhancers.

The forum highlighted the importance of collaboration between farmers and the food industry startups in promoting sustainable practices, through innovations.

Urgent Call for Action

Marja-Liisa Meurice, Director of EIT Food North and East Region, stressed the urgency of addressing climate change: "We need urgent actions before 2030 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions so the world can meet its Paris Agreement commitments to limit global warming to less than 1.5 or 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Food systems account for more than a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, making food production a major contributor to climate change. At the same time, agriculture is extremely vulnerable to shifts and variability in temperature and rainfall, which are expected to increase due to climate change. It is essential to invest in research and innovation in sustainable food production to transform global food systems into more resilient ones."

Global Participation and Online Engagement

For the first time, BIO_REACTION was accessible via an online stream on EIIT Food's LinkedIn, enabling participants worldwide to join the discussions. This virtual component expanded the forum's reach and allowed for a broader exchange of ideas and experiences.

Looking Forward

EIT Food remains committed to fostering sustainable agricultural practices and will continue to support initiatives like BIO_REACTION. We encourage those interested in learning more about regenerative agriculture to sign up for updates and be informed about future events and activities.

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