Nestlé has recently established the Institute of Agricultural Sciences to offer science-based solutions in agriculture and promote sustainable food systems. According to Paul Bulcke, Nestlé chairman, the company seeks to foster direct relationships with farmers worldwide and work toward a more sustainable food system. With the world’s growing population, sustainable food supply becomes increasingly vital, and new agricultural approaches must accelerate to ensure this.
At the Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences, they have experts specializing in solution development and screening in critical focus areas such as dairy livestock, agricultural systems, and plant science. The institute endeavors to expand its existing expertise in coffee and cocoa to other crops such as grains and pulses.
Through trials of regenerative agricultural practices, Nestlé is working with farmers to encourage soil health and biodiversity. Moreover, the institute’s experts are exploring innovative dairy farming techniques that have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The head of Nestlé’s Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Jeroen Dijkman, explains that their goal is identifying the most promising solutions to promote sustainable production while minimizing environmental impact. They use a holistic approach taking into account several factors, such as yield, carbon footprint, food safety and cost, and scalability. The institute collaborates with external partners such as research organizations, universities, farmers, startups, and industry partners as part of Nestlé’s global R&D network in developing these solutions.
The institute reaffirms the company’s commitment to strengthening Switzerland’s innovation ecosystem. It collaborates closely with agricultural professionals, higher education institutions, and private research centers, such as Nestlé’s, bringing them all together.
Valerie Dittli, the State Councilor of the Swiss Canton of Vaud, emphasizes the significance of the new institute. She remarks that it contributes to efforts that support farmers confronting climate change and strengthens the Canton of Vaud as a center of excellence for research and education in Agriculture. Agriculture is key to quality nutrition, and Nestlé supports the sustainable food systems needed to ensure its production.
With the opening of the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Nestlé is putting their institutional resources to work advancing agricultural sustainability worldwide.
