CIR / LAT / ENG

CLIMATE CHANGE, RENEWABLE ENERGY, CHALLENGES, AND SOLUTIONS IN AGRICULTURE

The course will be held from April 18th to April 20th, 2023, in Vrnjačka Banja.

AgroNET – Center for Education and Research, in collaboration with the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, has created a specialized course titled “CLIMATE CHANGE, RENEWABLE ENERGY, CHALLENGES, AND SOLUTIONS IN AGRICULTURE” to meet the expressed needs of producers. The course will take place from April 18th to April 20th, 2023, at Vrnjačka Terme Hotel (https://vrnjacketerme.rs/).

The course is designed for participants involved in commercial fruit and vegetable production, as well as companies and individuals interested in renewable energy and the impact of climate change in agriculture. Through interactive lectures and practical examples, participants will acquire contemporary knowledge and innovative approaches.

The first day of the course aims to familiarize participants with the causes, processes, and projections of climate change, as well as renewable energy sources. They will gain fundamental knowledge about renewable energy sources and their application in agriculture, the potential of renewable energy sources in Serbia and the Western Balkan countries, the utilization of geothermal energy and biomass, and the economic potential of renewable energy sources. The possibilities and conditions for using agricultural land for the construction of renewable energy sources will be presented. Special emphasis will be placed on solar systems (photovoltaic panels), their potential, economic effects, and practical experiences. Participants will also learn about the use of heat pumps for heating agricultural facilities. The experiences with biogas power plants will be shared. At the end of the first day, there will be a networking session where participants can introduce themselves, present their companies, and connect with each other.

The second day of the course will begin with the topic of Circular Economy as part of the green economy and the concept of sustainability. Participants will learn about the foundations and the transition from a linear to a circular economy. Subsequently, through two lectures, participants will explore how to adapt to climate change in fruit production and the challenges that climate change poses to vineyards and winemaking. Digitalization in agriculture and precision farming will be discussed, covering the basics, impact, scope, and effects of precision farming technology, as well as future development directions. The day will conclude with a lecture on adapting to climate change in vegetable production, followed by a discussion involving all lecturers and participants.

The third day will feature a panel discussion, providing participants and lecturers with the opportunity to exchange experiences and opinions on the course topics and knowledge transfer in response to the challenges posed by climate change. The panel will produce recommendations that will be sent to decision-makers in the participants’ respective countries.

The course will be delivered by professors from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, company managers, and association representatives – leading experts in their respective fields, with proven results and extensive experience.

COURSE PROGRAM

The course implementation is supported by the USAID project “Velika mala privreda” (Great Small Business), the GIZ project “Podrška ekonomskoj diverzifikaciji ruralnih područja u jugoistočnoj Evropi (SEDRA II)” (Support to the Economic Diversification of Rural Areas in Southeast Europe), and the USAID project “Ekonomski razvoj, upravljanje i rast preduzeća (EDGE)” (Economic Development, Governance, and Growth of Enterprises). Thanks to their support, the course program has been developed, and participants can benefit from a reduced course fee.

Option 1 – The registration fee for the entire course, which lasts for 3 days, is 12,500.00 Serbian dinars and includes course materials, a certificate, meals (lunch, coffee breaks, refreshments, dinner, and gala dinner) for all three days. Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses, accommodation, and personal expenses during the course.

Option 2 – Participants who are only interested in the first day of the course can choose to pay a registration fee of 5,000.00 Serbian dinars, which includes course materials, a certificate, and meals (coffee breaks, refreshments, dinner). Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses, accommodation, and personal expenses during that period.

Option 3 – Participants who are only interested in the second day of the course can choose to pay a registration fee of 9,000.00 Serbian dinars, which includes course materials, a certificate, and meals (coffee breaks, lunch, refreshments, gala dinner). Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses, accommodation, and personal expenses during that period.

For course participants who wish to be accommodated at VRNJAČKE TERME Hotel in Vrnjačka Banja, a discounted accommodation rate is provided. When making a reservation, please indicate that you are a participant of the course organized by AgroNET.

The number of participants is limited to 30.

Priority in registration and a guaranteed spot in the course will be given to participants who apply first and pay the necessary fee.

To register, send an email to agronetbeograd@gmail.com with the following information:

  • Full name
  • Company
  • Position in the company
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Note specifying the chosen option

The registration fee should be paid to: AgroNET – Center for Education and Research, Belgrade – Zemun, Nemanjina 6, VAT number: 111121580, account: 160-0000000534461-06 – Banca Intesa.

The deadline for registration (fee payment) is April 11, 2023.

For more information, contact us via email: agronetbeograd@gmail.com or by phone at: +381631064065.