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Nestlé has officially opened the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, aimed at supporting the development of sustainable food systems by delivering science-based solutions in agriculture.
The new centre, located in Switzerland, also incorporates an existing plant science research unit in France and farms in Ecuador, Côte d'Ivoire and Thailand, as well as partnerships with research farms.
Experts at the centre will screen and develop solutions that ensure a sustainable food supply for the growing world population while contributing to farmers' livelihoods. Areas of focus will include plant science, agricultural systems and dairy livestock.
Nestlé chairman Paul Bulcke said: "We have nurtured direct relationships with generations of farmers around the world. To continue providing people with tasty, nutritious and affordable foods, we need to transition together to a more sustainable food system. The new institute will strengthen our expertise and use our global network to support farming communities and protect our planet."
Nestlé says the institute's inauguration is the next step in its efforts to further its expertise in coffee and cocoa production.
The institute will help farmers trial regenerative agriculture methods to improve soil health and enhance biodiversity. It will also explore novel approaches in dairy farming that could help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, focusing on areas such as cow feed and manure management.
Jeroen Dijkman, head of Nestlé's Institute of Agricultural Sciences, said: "Our goal is to identify the most promising solutions to promote the production of nutritious raw materials while minimising their environmental impact. We take a holistic approach and look at several factors including impact on yield, carbon footprint, food safety and cost, as well as the viability of scale-up." Experts at the institute will work closely with external partners including farmers, universities, research organisations, start-ups and industry partners to assess and develop science-based solutions. The centre also builds on Nestlé's commitment to strengthening Switzerland's innovation ecosystem. Valérie Dittli, state councillor of the Swiss Canton of Vaud, added: "The new institute is strengthening the Canton of Vaud as a centre of excellence for research and education in agriculture and nutrition. It also contributes to the efforts that are underway to support farmers in the face of climate change. She continued: "Agriculture is at the core of quality nutrition and in the Canton of Vaud we can count on an innovative ecosystem that brings together partners including agricultural professionals, schools for higher education and private research centres such as the one from Nestlé". Also from Nestlé: