Are there any frameworks to support the transfer of digital agriculture research outcomes from HEIs to the agricultural industry and local communities in Serbia?
- Angeliki Milioti
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
There are several national and international frameworks and initiatives in Serbia aimed at supporting the transfer of digital agriculture research outcomes from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to the agricultural industry and farming communities. Also, there are many frameworks that are not specifically aimed at digital agriculture, but are used by HEIs to reach agricultural sector. Below is an overview of the most relevant mechanisms and systems in place.
National-Level Support Frameworks
• Smart Specialization Strategy of Serbia (S4): The Smart Specialization Strategy (S4) of Serbia is a national strategy aimed at promoting sustainable economic development by focusing on areas where the country holds competitive advantages in research and innovation. It identifies priority areas and directs investments to foster innovation and knowledge-based growth. The strategy is aligned with EU principles and aims to integrate Serbia into the European Research Area. The Strategy prioritizes "Food for the Future" as a key area for innovation and economic development, alongside other sectors like ICT, future machines, and creative industries. The strategy aims to leverage Serbia's competitive advantages in agriculture by focusing on research and development, strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration, and promoting sustainable, high-value food production.
• IPARD II & III (Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance in Rural Development): Supports modernization and digital agriculture investments, often involving HEIs in project partnerships.
• The Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia: The Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia is a public organization that supports scientific and research activities including those of HEIs. It was established in March 2019, with the aim of providing funds and supporting the conditions for the continuous development of scientific and research activities in the Republic of Serbia necessary for the advancement of a knowledge-based society.. There is a strong tendency to include digitalization in all aspects of science, including agriculture. Latest call, Program for Development of Projects in the Field of Artificial Intelligence, yielded projects that are dealing with AI usage in Agriculture.
• Ministries and provincial secretariats: There are annual calls at different levels for HEIs and other research organizations with the aim of dissemination of research results to the farmers and agricultural industry. HEIs are often organizing thematic workshops and lectures where digital agriculture findings are promoted.
• Science and Technology Parks (Novi Sad, Belgrade, Niš, Čačak): Act as innovation hubs linking universities with industry; several agriculture-tech startups are connected to Faculties of Agriculture.
EU-Supported Frameworks
• EIT Food and EIT Digital: Fund education and startup projects in agritech with involvement of Serbian researchers.
• Horizon Europe / Digital Europe Programme: Funds research-to-industry initiatives in digital agriculture.
• Living Labs and Innovation Ecosystems (e.g., LIVINGAGRO, DEMETER): Promote multi-actor collaboration platforms.
Extension Services and Cooperatives
• Public extension services, although limited in funding, work with HEIs for demonstration and training purposes.
• Agricultural cooperatives act as intermediaries for adoption of digital tools among farmers. Cooperatives are using funds to organize winter or summer schools for the farmers where HEI researchers are giving lectures on specific subjects.
References:
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Status of Digital Agriculture in 18 countries of Europe and Central Asia (2020). https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/29c2830e-8560-48ff-b636-06af2a1bb778/content
Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Republic of Serbia: Smart Specialisation Strategy of the Republic of Serbia (2021). https://pametnaspecijalizacija.mpn.gov.rs/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Strategija-pametne-specijalizacije_EN_WEB.pdf
European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT): Agritech: Digital Innovation For a Sustainable European Agri-Food Sector (2022). https://www.eitdigital.eu/fileadmin/2024/ecosystem/downloads/EIT-Digital_AgriTech-Report-web.pdf
https://www.ai.gov.rs/tekst/en/99/science-and-technology-parks.php
Commentaires