In Switzerland, the FAO Director-General engages with academia and entrepreneurs in agrifood systems and sustainability

Zurich – During the second day of his visit to Switzerland FAO Director-General QU Dongyu today visited the ETH Zurich, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, where he met with Vice-President Christian Wolfrum to discuss ongoing research initiatives and their contributions to global agrifood systems solutions.

During the visit, the Director-General engaged with the World Food Systems Centre, a key initiative at ETH Zurich that focuses on advancing knowledge and innovation across the entire food value chain - from environmental sustainability to human health - to facilitate cutting-edge research and technology transfer, fostering solutions to the challenges of global food security and sustainability.

The Director-General was introduced to several innovative projects that are driving the future of sustainable agrifood systems such as real-time technology for monitoring biological soil quality, the development of novel proteins for food and feed, digital twin technology for modeling field crops from sowing to harvest, and research determining innovative pathways in plant breeding. The Director General stated that “the ETH strategy considers the whole of the agrifood system, avoiding silos and ensuring an integrated approach to addressing global challenges.”

The Director-General also visited Fabas Food Solutions, a start-up focused on creating the next generation of sustainable, locally sourced plant-based alternatives by producing innovative foods from Swiss legumes. The Director-General had the opportunity to engage in discussions with farmers and chefs, emphasizing the importance of urban agrifood systems, e-commerce and sustainable food production, as well as IP Suisse, an association representing 18,500 Swiss farmers who produce food to higher environmental and animal welfare standards. The visit provided an in-depth look into novel strategies for promoting healthier, environmentally friendly food choices.

Finally, the Director-General paid a visit to Krebs & Steiner, a family-run organic vineyard overlooking Lake Biel, where he witnessed sustainable winemaking practices that emphasize respect for nature and local traditions combining innovation with a focus on environmental stewardship.

The Director-General’s visit to Switzerland, which ends on Friday, is highlighting the critical role that innovation, research and technology play in shaping more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable global agrifood systems.