A resilient agricultural sector strengthens society’s preparedness

When Annsi Krol takes to the stage as moderator at Nordic Agro Summit, she brings extensive international experience from the agricultural sector. Her perspective is clear: the agriculture of the future must be profitable, adaptable and accessible to producers with diverse circumstances.

Preparedness is built every day
Agriculture is vital to the food supply and, consequently, to the resilience of society as a whole. But genuine preparedness does not begin once a crisis occurs. It is built continuously through profitable farming businesses, robust supply chains, the right skills and production that can continue to develop over time.

Achieving this requires a greater understanding of the varied conditions within agriculture. Small and large operations, across different parts of the country, all contribute in different ways to a stronger food system. The opportunity to invest, grow and develop must therefore be available regardless of a business’s size or geographical circumstances.

From efficiency to adaptability
Over the next five to ten years, agriculture will increasingly need to manage several uncertainties at once. Climate change, geopolitical risks, shifting trade flows and vulnerabilities in supply chains all create a need to combine efficiency with greater resilience.

– Technological development will be an important part of the transition. AI, automation and precision farming can support better decision-making and more targeted use of resources. However, technology is not the solution in itself. It must work in farmers’ day-to-day operations, be financially viable and reach far more than just the largest players, Krol believes.

Krol also highlights the need to move beyond simplified oppositions. This is not about choosing between small-scale and large-scale farming, or between tradition and innovation. Resilient agriculture relies on a diversity of producers, business models and skills. When new technology is developed together with those who will use it, it can strengthen – rather than replace – practical experience and professional expertise.

Conversations that can lead to action
Through her work as a consultant, Annsi Krol has seen how advanced and knowledge-intensive modern agriculture already is. At the same time, every farming business operates within a complex environment where weather, biological processes, energy prices, financing, trade, regulation and consumer behaviour all interact.

The main challenge is therefore often not developing innovations, but putting them into practice and making them relevant to businesses with different financial and operational conditions. The focus needs to be on the tangible value a solution creates – and who can realistically use it.

At Nordic Agro Summit, Annsi Krol hopes to contribute to conversations that bring people closer to one another’s realities. Agriculture’s major challenges require collaboration between farmers, technology companies, researchers, businesses, the public sector and decision-makers. The aim is not necessarily complete agreement, but new perspectives, practical ideas and connections that create the conditions for collective action.