The 35th International Scientific-Expert Conference of Agriculture and Food Industry – Agriconference 2026 was held from 7 to 9 October 2026 at Hotel Hills in Ilidža, Sarajevo, organised by the University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences. This year’s theme, “Closing the Agri-Food Loop: Resources, Policy and Productivity,” connected sustainable resource management, agricultural policy and productivity, with an emphasis on applying research findings across food production, processing and consumption.

The conference brought together researchers, academics, professionals and institutional representatives, providing a platform for presenting research, exchanging experience and developing cooperation. It recorded 132 registered participants from 29 institutions in eight countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and Türkiye. Invited speakers, panellists and guests from Brazil, Uruguay, Taiwan, Italy, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany and Austria further broadened its international reach. BAUHAUSBITES project partners from the United Kingdom, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Norway, Slovenia and Croatia also participated in the programme.

Of 123 submitted papers, 109 were presented through 42 oral presentations and 67 posters. The scientific programme covered four areas: plant production, animal production, food technology and nutrition, and agricultural and food economics.

Connecting research, policy and practice

During the opening programme, Professor Zoran Popovski, Vice-President of the COST Association, presented the opportunities COST offers for international scientific networking and research cooperation.

The first day featured four keynote lectures delivered by Aleksandra Martinovska Stojcheska from North Macedonia, Paride D’Ottavio from Italy, Dragan Nikolić from Serbia and Dražen Lušić from Croatia. Their presentations addressed the development of agri-food systems, sustainable natural resource management, species and variety selection, and food safety and authenticity.

A panel discussion focused on strengthening agricultural advisory and cooperative systems. Moderated by Professor Aleksandra Nikolić, it brought together Marcus Peixoto and Bastiaan Reydon from Brazil, Silvio Šimon from Croatia, Carlos Rydström Henderson from Uruguay, and An-Pang Lu from Taiwan. Their diverse institutional and professional experiences provided an opportunity to explore how knowledge, public policy and digital solutions can better respond to farmers’ needs.

A roundtable moderated by Nadira Berbić addressed the development of urban food systems through the New European Bauhaus approach, with contributions from BAUHAUSBITES project representatives. This extended the programme to the role of cities and local communities in food system transformation. The discussion enabled an exchange of experience between the academic community and European partners working to develop sustainable urban food systems.

The second day focused on scientific sessions and poster presentations. Research topics ranged from agricultural adaptation to climate change and genetic resource conservation to food processing innovations, digitalisation and rural development. Discussions enabled participants to compare findings across different settings and consider their practical applications.

Regional academic cooperation and scientific exchange

The conference hosted a meeting of the Association of Faculties of Agricultural Sciences in Southeast Europe (ASFASSE). It also welcomed 28 guests associated with ASFASSE, including deans and faculty representatives from Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia. This gathering provided further opportunities to connect institutions and discuss shared academic and research interests.

Conference conclusions: sustainability, innovation, resilience and collaboration

The closing ceremony presented the conclusions of the four scientific sessions, highlighting a shared need for stronger connections between research, production and public policy.

In plant production, participants emphasised the need to adapt to climate change through sustainable soil, water and nutrient management. Drought should receive greater attention in research and agricultural planning. Priorities include improving soil water retention, using available water resources more efficiently, and promoting drought-tolerant crops and varieties suited to local conditions. Digital tools and innovative technologies should support these efforts, alongside the active involvement of producers and local communities.

The animal production conclusions focused on conserving indigenous livestock breeds, improving animal health and welfare, and adapting feeding and management practices to different stages of lactation. Participants highlighted opportunities to use sensors and digital platforms, as well as to integrate livestock production with sustainable pasture management, vegetation restoration and biodiversity conservation. Long-term breeding objectives should be developed jointly with family farms, advisory services and researchers.

In food technology and nutrition, priorities included food safety, risk monitoring and harmonised data collection. The conclusions highlighted the development of functional and personalised foods, the application of innovative technologies and traditional fermentation, improved use of food industry by-products, and sustainable packaging. Food literacy, balanced and acceptable school meals, preservation of traditional food heritage, and stronger systems to protect food against deliberate contamination were also identified as important areas for action.

The agricultural and food economics session stressed that sustainability must be assessed alongside farm profitability, social inclusion and rural development. Policies should be grounded in scientific evidence and tailored to Western Balkan conditions, available resources, markets and institutional capacity. Particular emphasis was placed on knowledge exchange among researchers, policymakers, producers, businesses and consumers.

The shared conclusion was that a sustainable agri-food system requires coordinated action across the entire food chain. Efficient resource use, biodiversity conservation and waste reduction must be linked to innovation and feasible policies that improve productivity, food safety and rural livelihoods.

Building connections beyond the conference sessions

The programme also included a social gathering at the Faculty’s experimental field in Butmir and a gala dinner. These events gave participants opportunities to continue discussions informally, strengthen professional relationships and establish new contacts.

[Photo 4 – Greenhouse gathering at the Faculty’s experimental field in Butmir]

Acknowledgements

The University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences extends special thanks to keynote speakers Aleksandra Martinovska Stojcheska, Paride D’Ottavio, Dragan Nikolić and Dražen Lušić, and to panellists Marcus Peixoto, Bastiaan Reydon, Silvio Šimon, Carlos Rydström Henderson and An-Pang Lu, for sharing their knowledge and experience and contributing to international dialogue.

We extend special thanks to Professor Zoran Popovski for presenting COST opportunities for international scientific cooperation, and to the ASFASSE representatives for their participation and contribution to strengthening connections among agricultural faculties across the region.

We thank the moderators and roundtable participants, BAUHAUSBITES project partners and participants, all authors and conference participants, session chairs, reviewers, and members of the scientific and organising committees. We also acknowledge the colleagues, students and staff who contributed to the preparation and delivery of the conference.

Our special thanks go to all sponsors, supporting institutions and partners who supported the conference:

• Federal Ministry of Education and Science
• Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Youth of Sarajevo Canton
• Chamber of Economy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• ProBio BiH
• Plant d.o.o.
• Sarajevo Secondary Music School
• Municipality of Vukosavlje
• Fruit Prom d.o.o.
• Mesna industrija MADI Tešanj d.o.o.
• METOS by Pessl Instruments
• PBP d.o.o. Konjic
• Mikro+Polo d.o.o.
• Edin Babić BH Delikatese d.o.o.
• Biona & Beyond d.o.o.
• Dermalab d.o.o.
• Noaland-Noazemlja d.o.o.
• Maksuz
• BH Milch
• Mcanon
• Cener 21
• Yesari Group d.o.o. Sarajevo
• NewCold Metal Construction d.o.o. Usora

We thank them for supporting the 35th Agriconference and helping connect research, education and practice.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this year’s conference through their research, questions and ideas. We look forward to continued cooperation and future meetings!