The First National Training Workshop for Agricultural Advisory and Professional Services (PSSS) on Adaptation to Climate Change in Agriculture was organized on 10 June, 2026 in Agricultural-veterinary school in Svilajnac, Serbia bringing together representatives of agricultural advisory services from across South east Serbia, experts, practitioners, and institutional stakeholders involved in agricultural development and climate adaptation.
The workshop was designed as a capacity-building event aimed at strengthening the role of advisory services in supporting farmers to address the growing challenges posed by climate change. Agriculture throughout Serbia and the wider Western Balkans region is increasingly exposed to climate-related risks. More frequent and prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, extreme weather events, soil degradation, and growing pressure on water resources are affecting agricultural productivity and threatening the long-term sustainability of farming systems.
Recognizing the need to equip advisors with practical knowledge and tools to address these challenges, the workshop introduced a comprehensive training framework and a set of adaptation measures covering key sectors of agricultural production. The event was implemented within broader regional efforts to promote climate resilience and sustainable agricultural development. Throughout the day, participants were introduced to practical methodologies, assessment tools, and decision-support approaches designed to facilitate climate adaptation planning at farm level. The workshop combined technical presentations with interactive discussions, allowing participants to exchange experiences and reflect on the practical implications of climate adaptation measures in their advisory work.
The workshop commenced with welcoming remarks delivered by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, and the Standing Working Group for Regional Rural Development. Speakers emphasized the strategic importance of strengthening agricultural resilience in the face of climate change and highlighted the critical role of advisory services in facilitating knowledge transfer and innovation adoption among farmers.
Particular attention was given to the increasing complexity of agricultural decision-making under changing climatic conditions. Participants were reminded that adaptation is no longer a future challenge but a present necessity requiring immediate action across all agricultural sectors. Advisory services were recognized as essential actors within the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS), capable of translating scientific findings and policy recommendations into practical solutions applicable at farm level.
Workshop introduce Training Manual for Agricultural Advisory Services and outlined the methodological framework supporting climate adaptation planning. According to this participants were introduced to approaches for identifying climate-related risks, assessing farm vulnerabilities, evaluating adaptation options, and supporting farmers in making informed management decisions.
The framework emphasized the importance of combining scientific evidence, local knowledge, Implemented by and practical field experience in developing adaptation strategies suited to different farming systems.
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).
