Nestlé says its newly opened Institute of Agricultural Sciences will help advance sustainable food systems by delivering science-based solutions in agriculture. The institute will be home to Nestlé experts screening and developing solutions in key focus areas including plant science, agricultural systems, and dairy livestock.
Speaking at the inauguration, Nestlé chairman Paul Bulcke, said the institute would use Nestlé's global network to support farming communities and protect the planet.
"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," Bulcke said.
With global food systems under pressure, Nestlé says there is an urgent need to accelerate new approaches that ensure a sustainable food supply for a growing world population while contributing to farmer livelihoods. The institute builds on the company's existing plant science expertise in coffee and cocoa.
Over the years, Nestlé plant scientists have been contributing to Nestlé's sustainable cocoa and coffee sourcing plans. Nestlé is now strengthening this expertise and expanding it to further crops, including pulses and grains.
The institute is also working with farmers to trial regenerative agriculture practices to improve soil health and encourage biodiversity. In addition, experts explore novel approaches in dairy farming that have potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the areas of cow feed and manure management.
Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences head Jeroen Dijkman said its goal was to identify the most promising solutions to promote the production of nutritious raw materials while minimizing 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."
As part of Nestlé's global R&D network, the institute collaborates closely with external partners including farmers, universities, research organizations, startups and industry partners to assess and develop science-based solutions. The new institute reaffirms the company's commitment to strengthening Switzerland's unique innovation ecosystem.
In addition to its new facilities at Nestlé Research in Switzerland, the institute incorporates an existing plant science research unit in France, and farms based in Ecuador, Côte d'Ivoire and Thailand, as well as partnerships with research farms.
