Nestlé and The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) have entered into a strategic partnership to establish the World Food Academy 4 Sustainable Food Systems.

Envisioned as a multi-partner ecosystem, the Academy will strengthen education, career development and knowledge exchange for university students, early career researchers, and young professionals working in food and nutrition research and production, particularly those from priority regions in the Global South.

Prof. Kaveh Madani, Director of UNU-INWEH stated: “The World Food Academy represents a platform to translate interdisciplinary research into actionable solutions by equipping emerging leaders, particularly in the Global South, with the scientific, technical, and policy competencies required to address systemic challenges in food security, nutrition, and sustainability. This collaboration with Nestlé further strengthens our ability to bridge science and policy, ensuring that knowledge is effectively translated into practice while advancing sustainable and resilient food systems for future generations.”

The World Food Academy will incorporate Nestlé’s existing Science & Technology Seminars, a key initiative under Nestlé needs YOUth. First launched in 2023, the free, expert-led seminars cover topics such as agricultural science, food science and technology, as well as nutritional science. They also offer technical expertise related to affordable and sustainable food production. Initially offered through partner universities, the Nestlé seminars reached around 7 000 students across over 300 academic institutions in more than 90 countries last year.

UNU-INWEH will contribute its expertise in research, capacity building, policy engagement, and knowledge dissemination to support the seminars. This will help to ensure that participants receive up-to-date knowledge, practical insights and tools to support their professional development. It will also share its knowledge related to sustainable agriculture and responsible land management which are vital for food security, biodiversity, and climate resilience. The initiative complements UNU-INWEH‘s broader efforts in online education through the Online Learning Centre, the Media Academy, and the UN Water Conference Academic Hub, while further strengthening capacities built over the Institute’s 30 years. All activities will align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular on advancing quality education and reducing inequalities.

Educational resources developed through this partnership will remain publicly accessible at no cost, ensuring free access for learners worldwide, particularly those in low-income regions.

Professor Stefan Palzer, Chief Technology Officer at Nestlé, said: “Ensuring global food security and driving the transition to sustainable food systems requires intense collaboration along the food value chain. Through this joint initiative with the United Nations University, we will share our broad and deep scientific expertise, along with our practical knowledge of food and nutrition, with underprivileged students and young professionals around the world. This know-how will enable them to more effectively transform both global and local food systems, making food more nutritious, accessible and sustainable.”

Both partners will explore opportunities to expand the Academy’s scope over time. This includes by building a global network of educational institutions, industry partners, and research organizations, while offering career development opportunities, specialized capacity development programs, sabbaticals, internships, and fellowships.

Later this year, UNU-INWEH and Nestlé will jointly host a symposium on Sustainable Food Systems. The event will bring together policymakers, researchers, private sector representatives, and civil society to explore practical solutions for improving access to nutritious, affordable food while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

To learn more visit the World Food Academy website.

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From the vegetable fields of Europe to farms in the United States, Canada, and Australia, Swiss agricultural innovation is now supporting farmers across multiple continents. Over the past five years, 1,000 ARA ultra-high precision sprayers developed by Ecorobotix have been deployed worldwide, helping farmers transition toward smarter and more sustainable crop protection.

Developed in Switzerland and now used by farms around the globe, ARA sprayers highlight the growing role of Swiss technology in modern agriculture. Reaching the milestone of 1,000 machines marks an important step for Ecorobotix, and for the thousands of farmers adopting precision spraying in their fields.

From a Swiss Idea to a Global Technology

More than a decade ago, Ecorobotix co-founders Aurélien Demaurex and Steve Tanner asked a simple but ambitious question: What if every weed could be treated individually instead of spraying an entire field? Their vision combined artificial intelligence, robotics, and agronomy to rethink how crop protection could be applied. That idea led to the creation of Ecorobotix, which has since grown into an international ag-technology company with more than 250 employees and operations across Europe, North and South America, and additional global markets.

The sale of 1,000 ARA sprayers demonstrates how this original concept has moved from research and development to widespread use in real farming conditions.

Precision Spraying That Transforms Crop Protection

Since its introduction, ARA has redefined field spraying through its ultra-precise 6 x 6 cm treatment footprint, allowing the system to target only the plants that need treatment. The result is a dramatic reduction in crop protection inputs, up to 95% less herbicide compared to conventional broadcast spraying.

For farmers, this precision technology delivers several key benefits:

• Significant savings on crop protection products
• Reduced spray drift toward neighboring crops and ecosystems
• Lower exposure risks for operators and wildlife
• Improved resistance management through targeted application

Today, thousands of growers, particularly in high-value vegetable crops, are adopting precision spot spraying as a smarter approach to crop protection, with measurable benefits for soil health, water protection, and the long-term resilience of farming systems.

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Agroscope’s 2026-2029 Work Programme addresses the most important challenges facing the Swiss agriculture and food sector, and agricultural practitioners in particular. The focus is on six key issues to be addressed by the research institute in 42 research programmes and around 360 projects. Areas such as plant protection, plant breeding, climate-change adaptation and economic efficiency will be strengthened.

Safeguarding domestic food production, enabling farming families to earn a fair income and reducing the negative environmental impacts: these are important challenges facing the Swiss agriculture and food sector. With its new 2026-2029 Work Programme (WP), Agroscope aims to make a contribution to meeting these and further challenges, and to reducing the trade-offs of agricultural production.

Research from field and barn to plate and back

The new Work Programme continues to focus on six interlinked core themes: competitive food production, agriculture in a changing climate, protecting natural resources, agroecological production systems, cost-efficient and species-appropriate animal husbandry, and sustainable and healthy food. Agroscope conducts cross-disciplinary research across the entire agriculture and food sector on these focus areas. The aim is to develop solutions for increasing the ecological, economic and social sustainability of the agriculture and food system.

Novel developments vis-à-vis the last Work Programme

Agroscope is strengthening research in the areas facing major challenges, such as climate-change adaptation, water efficiency, crop protection, particularly in vegetable and field crops, sustainable livestock production and reduction of nutrient losses.  Since the aim is to improve the social and economic sustainability of agricultural production for farming families, research into cost-efficiency and value creation is also being expanded. The Swiss Parliament has also allocated additional funds for plant protection and plant breeding, which strengthens these particularly challenging subject areas with additional research projects.

Focus on impact and practical benefits

The motto ‘We research with and for farmers’ gains even greater importance in the new Work Programme. More systematically than before, the WP is designed for the benefit of and its impact on agricultural practice, without neglecting the basic research that is necessary for this. Each of the 42 research programmes addresses a specific topic as well as defining goals and expected impacts. The practical relevance of the projects and knowledge transfer are ensured by the strong involvement of stakeholders from agricultural practice, the Federal Administration, the agricultural extension and the Cantons.

Comprehensive assessment of needs

The Work Programme was developed via a structured process involving many sectors, associations, organisations and stakeholder groups within the agriculture and food sector. Around 70 organisations submitted over 650 proposals which were prioritised jointly. In addition, Agroscope took into account overarching strategies of the Swiss Federal Council, future visions for the agriculture and food sector, and changing social requirements.

The content of the new Work Programme has been positively received and supported by Agroscope Council. This advisory body is composed of representatives from the Federal Administration, science and agricultural practice.

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