In the second episode of the Transboundary Podcast, hosted by EU4Green, two remarkable experts explored the complexities and importance of sustainable agriculture. This discussion emphasized the need for sustainable practices that go beyond farming to include environmental stewardship, economic viability, and social equity.

Prof. Dr. Ordan Chukaliev, professor at the University of Skopje explained, “Sustainable agriculture is about meeting current needs while preserving the potential of natural resources for future generations.” Transitioning from conventional to sustainable agriculture is a multi-step process involving the entire food chain – from production to consumption – and requires coordinated efforts across sectors, including food processing, transport, and consumer behavior.

Current trends in sustainable agriculture include the increasing use of digitalization, automation, and organic farming, all of which are crucial for enhancing resource efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Climate change presents significant risks to agriculture, particularly in the Western Balkans, where adverse conditions are leading to yield losses. At the same time, agriculture contributes to climate change, making it imperative to adopt strategies that mitigate its impact while improving productivity.  Reflecting the commitment of the EU4Green project, Mag. Bettina Schwartz, expert at Environment Agency Austria stated, “In our EU4Green project, we want to support the implementation of the Green Agenda in this action field of reducing nutrient losses to water and increasing nutrient efficiency at farm level.”

This discussion also emphasized  the importance of individual choices in promoting sustainability, such as reducing meat consumption, minimizing food waste, and supporting organic and locally produced foods.

LINK TO ENGLISH VERSION: https://youtu.be/ILsZy60EJyc

About the Podcast Series

The Transboundary Podcast underscored the critical challenges and opportunities in sustainable agriculture, with the experts discussing the importance of preserving soil and water through green practices. They highlighted the importance of collaboration across the agricultural sector, as the EU and Western Balkans work towards a sustainable future.