On 2–3 September 2025, the National Research Institute of Animal Production participated in the 34th Economic Forum in Karpacz, the largest event of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe. The meeting brought together representatives of the worlds of politics, science, economics, and social organizations, becoming a place for the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and visions for the future of agriculture and the food economy.
Exhibition of native breeds – science and tradition
The National Research Institute of Animal Production was a partner of the Food Economy Forum, which is part of the Economic Forum. As part of this cooperation, we presented an exhibition dedicated to native breeds. The exhibition showed the genetic richness of native species and their importance for the preservation of biodiversity and sustainable agricultural development. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the Institute’s achievements in the field of genetic resources conservation, research and implementation, as well as to obtain answers to questions about the role of science in building food security. The exhibition attracted a lot of interest and showed how important the work of scientists and breeders is in building a strong foundation for the future of Polish and European agriculture.
Panel I: “Poland’s food security in the context of the possible accession of new countries to the EU – opportunities and threats”
The first discussion panel took place on 22 September 2025. It was devoted to the consequences of the possible enlargement of the European Union for Poland’s food security. The discussion focused on the opportunities arising from the diversification of import and export sources, but also on the threats associated with increased competition for Polish producers and the need to adapt to new regulations and standards. The meeting was chaired by Dr Sławomir Kalinowski, Prof. of IRWiR PAN – Head of the Department of Economics at the Institute of Rural and Agricultural Development of the Polish Academy of Sciences, who acted as moderator.
The panellists included representatives of the world of administration, science, and socio-economic organizations:
- Tomasz Jacek – Director of the National Research Institute of Animal Production
- Krzysztof Jan Klęczar – Governor of Małopolska Province
- Oleg Dubisz – Polish-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce
- Agnieszka Maćków – Polish European Professionals Network (PEPN)
- Marek Wigier – Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics
The Director of the Institute, Tomasz Jacek, PhD Eng., emphasized that scientific research and the implementation of innovations in breeding are key to ensuring the stability of food production in a changing economic reality. As he pointed out, “responsible agricultural policy and support for scientific research are the foundation on which the resilience of the Polish agri-food sector to the challenges associated with the potential enlargement of the EU can be built”.
Panel II: “Competitiveness of the agricultural sector in Central and Eastern Europe”
On the second day of the Forum, a panel discussion was held on the competitiveness of the agricultural sector in Central and Eastern Europe, in which the National Research Institute of Animal Production also participated.
The panellists included:
- Stefan Krajewski – Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
- Szymon Migoń – Rural Youth Association
- Tomasz Jacek – Director of the National Research Institute of Animal Production
- Przemysław Rzodkiewicz – Chief Inspector, Main Inspectorate of Agricultural and Food Quality
- Grzegorz Brodziak – President of the Management Board, Goodvalley Agro S.A.
The role of moderator was performed by Dr Roman Sobiecki, professor at the Warsaw School of Economics. During the debate, it was emphasized that the competitiveness of the agricultural sector stems primarily from the potential of farms, and that long-term development depends on investment in innovation and resources. Agriculture, as the first link in the food chain, was recognized as the foundation of the entire food economy.
Director Tomasz Jacek pointed out that smaller farms, although they have limited investment resources, often respond more quickly and flexibly to changing market conditions. This enables them to use public and EU funds more effectively, which represents significant potential for building the competitiveness of the entire sector.
Minister Stefan Krajewski pointed out that close cooperation between state institutions, the scientific community, and agricultural producers is essential to create a strong and resilient food economy capable of meeting global challenges.
The participation of the National Research Institute of Animal Production in the 34th Economic Forum in Karpacz was an opportunity to present scientific achievements, exchange experiences, and actively participate in discussions on the future of Polish agriculture and food security. The exhibition of native breeds showed how important biodiversity conservation is for sustainable development, while the discussion panels confirmed that only cooperation between science, politics, and economic practice will enable us to meet the challenges facing European agriculture.
For more information about the Economic Forum, visit: https://www.forum-ekonomiczne.pl/
