The global food giant has created a new institute to further research into creating a sustainable food system worldwide.
Nestlé has officially inaugurated the Institute of Agricultural Sciences to help advance sustainable food systems by delivering science-based solutions in agriculture.
At the inauguration, Paul Bulcke, Nestlé Chairman, stated that the company had nurtured directed relationships with generations of farmers worldwide to create a more sustainable food system to provide customers with tasty, nutritional and affordable and affordable foods.
"The new institute will strengthen our expertise and use our global network to support farming communities and protect our planet," said Bulcke.
With global food systems under pressure, there is an urgent need to accelerate new approaches that ensure a sustainable food supply for a growing world population while contributing to farmers' livelihoods.
At the new institute, Nestlé experts screen and develop solutions in key focus areas such as plant science, agricultural systems and dairy livestock.
It builds on the company's existing plant science expertise in coffee and cocoa. Over many years, Nestlé plant scientists have contributed to Nestlé's sustainable cocoa and coffee sourcing plans, including the recent discovery of more disease and drought-resistant coffee varieties.
Nestlé is now strengthening this expertise and expanding it to other crops, including pulses and grains. The institute also works 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 the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the areas of cow feed and manure management.
"Our goal is to identify the most promising solutions to promote the production of nutritious raw materials while minimising their environmental impact. We take a holistic approach and look at several factors, including impact on yield, carbon footprint, food safety and cost, and scale-up viability," said Jeroen Dijkman, Head of the Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences.
As part of Nestlé's global research and development network, the institute collaborates closely with external partners, including farmers, universities, research organisations, 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.
At the official opening, Valérie Dittli, State Councilor of the Swiss Canton of Vaud, shared that the new institute was strengthening the Canton of Vaud as a centre of excellence for research and education in agriculture and nutrition.
"It also contributes to the efforts underway to support farmers in the face of climate change. Agriculture is at the core of quality nutrition," explained Dittli.
Dittli elaborated that the in the Canton of Vaud, the company could count on an innovative ecosystem that brings together partners, including agricultural professionals, schools for higher education and private research centres such as the one from Nestlé.
In addition to its new facilities at Nestlé Research in Switzerland, the institute incorporated an existing plant science research unit in France, farms based in Ecuador, Côte d'Ivoire and Thailand, and partnerships with research farms.
