Forum for the Future of Agriculture: Shaping Sustainable Agri-Food Systems
The 17th Forum for the Future of Agriculture (ForumforAg), held in Brussels in April, brought together experts, scientists, business leaders, politicians, and innovators from around the world to discuss the pressing challenges facing the global agri-food system. Established in 2008 by the European Landowners’ Organization and Syngenta, the ForumforAg has become the premier platform in Brussels for debating sustainable agriculture and environmental challenges.
This year’s forum focused on exploring new frontiers for agri-food transformation, addressing the critical need to produce more food sustainably for a growing global population. With projections indicating nearly ten billion people by 2050, the agricultural sector faces the daunting task of increasing production while minimizing environmental impact.
A key message emerging from the forum was that sustainability and competitiveness are not mutually exclusive. Janez Potočnik, president of the forum and former European Commissioner for the Environment, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are on the brink of ecological and digital apocalypse.” He stressed that decisions to avoid this crisis are too important to be left solely to politicians and highlighted the importance of the EU’s Green Deal in guiding future actions.
The forum discussed several critical issues facing the agri-food system, including:
- Climate-altering emissions
- Land consumption
- Loss of biodiversity
- Decreasing water availability
- Climate change impacts
Syngenta, a long-standing partner of the event, presented its vision for sustainable agriculture, focusing on three key areas:
- Biocontrols: Advocating for dedicated legislation to expedite approvals for biocontrol products, providing farmers with sustainable alternatives to traditional crop protection products
- Seed technology innovation: Promoting new genomic techniques to develop climate-resilient, high-yielding crop varieties more rapidly.
- Digital farming: Leveraging technologies to enable more precise and sustainable farming practices through AI, remote sensing, and data analytics.
Petra Laux, Chief Sustainability Officer at Syngenta Group, emphasized that farmers must be at the center of this transformation. She stressed the need for a diverse and effective toolbox to help farmers meet the dual challenge of increasing productivity while improving environmental outcomes.
The forum highlighted that the path to a sustainable and competitive agricultural future requires broad collaboration between industry, policymakers, and farmers. By embracing innovation, research, and technology, while adopting a holistic approach, the agricultural sector can create a virtuous system that balances productivity with environmental stewardship.
As the ForumforAg continues to evolve, it remains committed to its goal of building a more resilient, sustainable, climate-smart, and nature-positive food and agriculture system. The discussions and insights shared at this year’s event will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of European and global agriculture.
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Last Updated on June 18, 2025 by Samir Malki