Working together to solve challenges in the green industries

Cooperation and value creation are needed to make green industries as attractive as possible. But what do we do? This was recently discussed during a workshop for teachers and principals at Sweden’s agricultural colleges. The workshop was organized by ESBRI together with the National Agency for Education.

Green industries are extremely important, not least because food production is a critical sector. This has been very evident during the current pandemic. Failure to produce enough food is likely to lead to food shortages, wars and displacement. The workshop featured several exciting speakers.

Per Frankelius from Linköping University said that many people see agriculture in an idyllic way, much like the show Bonde söker fru. But agriculture is now highly technological and has a very high capacity. However, agriculture faces many challenges and unpredictable weather is one example. So what are the solutions? Per said that much is about cooperation and value creation.

– “Interaction between different developers and users is important,” said Per. They then become developers and products and services are adapted to their needs.

Innovation and entrepreneurship are needed to develop sustainable solutions and different institutions need to pave the way rather than stand in the way. There are crops that bind carbon, and many startups are working on improving animal welfare,” Per concluded.

Thomas Norrby, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, also emphasized the importance of interaction and supportive structures. The path to a sustainable society requires entrepreneurship at all levels: local, regional, national and EU. Norrby said that it is important to have entrepreneurial bureaucrats, those who see beyond the obstacles and make it easier for entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunities available. Norrby also highlighted the importance of working locally but going global.

– Rural businesses need to think locally to survive, Thomas said.

Chriss Mellgren from Lillerudsgymnasiet gave examples of how to work with entrepreneurship in upper secondary schools. The school works with the Young Enterprise concept, and the students’ companies should be in the green industries and offer locally produced products. Teachers encourage students to make their own contacts and give them the opportunity to participate in international projects. For example, the school’s students have participated in several Innovation Camps where they have worked together with students from other countries.

In a filmed interview, the Minister for Rural Affairs, Jennie Nilsson, also highlighted the need for a sustainable food supply and the need to switch to fossil-free production. She pointed out that we need to talk about green industries as industries of the future.

– “There are many cool jobs in the green industries – entry-level jobs, first jobs and positions with huge development opportunities,” said Jennie.

She pointed out that teachers have an important role in nurturing curious, enterprising students who can contribute to positive development. This can be achieved by both practicing business creation and gaining a broader understanding of the role of entrepreneurship in society.

In the concluding discussions, the groups saw a need for a digital platform for the exchange of experience between agricultural colleges. There should be an opportunity to both give and receive inspiration as well as tips and tricks that can be helpful in teaching. ———–