Training II for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management – REDUCING THE RISK OF NATURAL DISASTERS AND ADAPTATION MEASURES TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN AGRICULTURAL POLICY

The training was conducted as part of the project “Strengthening the Resilience of the Agricultural Sector to Natural Disasters” by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management, is implementing the project “Strengthening the Resilience of the Agricultural Sector to Natural Disasters,” funded by the European Union. The project aims to enhance national and local capacity for reducing the risk of natural disasters in agriculture and implementing climate-smart agricultural measures in the Republic of Serbia.

The implementation of Training II for the employees of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management, under the title “REDUCING THE RISK OF NATURAL DISASTERS AND ADAPTATION MEASURES TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN AGRICULTURAL POLICY,” was entrusted to AgroNET – Center for Education and Research by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The training took place in Belgrade at the Putnik Inn hotel and the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, on November 1st and 2nd, 2022.

The objective of the second training session related to increasing the resilience of the agricultural sector was to familiarize participants with the principles of disaster risk management and experiences in defining policies and adaptation measures to climate change in the EU. Through the presentation of the risk reduction and management cycle, participants were introduced to the steps involved in risk mapping and assessment, prevention measures, the benefits of early warning systems, and post-disaster recovery. Exchange of ideas on how risk management becomes part of agricultural policy was part of the plenary and group work.

The central part of the training focused on sharing experiences and the roadmap to harmonization with EU climate policy. The experience of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Croatia was presented, as well as the obligations in adapting to the EU legal and institutional framework towards climate-smart agriculture and risk management. Additionally, participants further deepened their knowledge related to adaptation measures in livestock farming and perennial crops.

The second day of collaborative work was dedicated to discussion and interaction with the lecturers to map out the space for action in each sector/directorate/administration for integrating climate adaptation measures into the legal framework of agricultural policy.

Lecturers: representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Croatia, the Office for Public Investment Management of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the Veterinary Directorate, the Climate Change Group of the Ministry of the Republic of Serbia, and professors from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade.

Training: Reducing the Risk of Natural Disasters and Adaptation Measures to Climate Change in Agricultural Policy.