On 4 September 2026, the Innovation Startup Center in Čačak, Serbia hosted the Second National Workshop for Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services, dedicated to strengthening capacities for climate change adaptation in agriculture.
The workshop was organized by Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Serbia and brought together 41 representatives from the Ministry, Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services along with agricultural advisors and experts from across Serbia.
The event focused on the implementation of the Training Manual for Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services – Adaptation to Climate Change in Agriculture, providing participants with practical knowledge, tools, and methodologies to support farmers in building resilience to climate-related risks.
Throughout the day, participants explored key adaptation topics through a series of thematic modules covering:
- Modul 1: Soil management for climate adaptation, including assessment of degradation risks, planning of soil improvement measures, and the use of digital decision-support tools.
- Module 2: Water management and irrigation practices, with a focus on drought risk assessment, efficient irrigation planning, and agrometeorological support systems.
- Module 3: Crop production and adaptation practices, addressing climate-sensitive production indicators, crop selection, and risk forecasting tools.
- Module 4: Adaptation of livestock systems, including heat stress management, resilience assessment, and digital solutions for livestock production.
- Module 5: Economic aspects of adaptation, examining farm resilience indicators, cost-effectiveness of adaptation measures, and tools supporting informed decision-making.
Interactive discussions enabled participants to exchange experiences and identify practical approaches for integrating climate adaptation measures into advisory work. Special attention was given to the application of decision support systems and digital tools that can enhance advisory services and improve farm-level resilience.
The workshop concluded with a discussion on key messages for advisory services under changing climate conditions, the practical use of the Training Manual and assessment tools in fieldwork, and future steps related to replication activities, field implementation, and further capacity-building efforts.
The event was organized within the framework of ongoing efforts to strengthen climate resilience in Serbian agriculture through improved advisory services, knowledge transfer, and evidence-based adaptation planning.
The activity is implemented within the framework of the regional project “Green Agenda for the Western Balkans – Support to the Western Balkan Countries in Climate Change Adaptation”, founded by the German Government through the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development BMZ and implemented by GIZ in partnership with Standing Working Group for Rural Regional Development (SWG RRD).
