Professor Astrida Miceikienė, an expert in bioeconomy policy, agricultural economics, and climate change finance—and currently serving as Chancellor of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy—shared insights on bioeconomy research and implementation across Europe with members of the IPB University academic community.

During her talk, she emphasized that one of the most promising and strategic responses to global challenges—such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pressure on natural resources—is the bioeconomy. This model uses renewable biological resources from land and sea to sustainably produce food, energy, and materials. In this context, the European Union Bioeconomy Strategy has emerged as a leading example of how policy can align economic development with environmental sustainability. The EU provides incentives to farmers across Europe to adopt new technologies and enhance environmental awareness in their production processes.

However, in Indonesia—particularly for investors and actors in the agricultural sector—adopting new technologies remains a significant challenge. The large number of smallholder farmers, coupled with complex regulatory and bureaucratic procedures, often hinders innovation and slows the adoption of sustainable practices.

In alignment with the EU Bioeconomy Strategy—which aims to address climate change while fostering a circular economy—there is increasing potential for Indonesia to benefit from international cooperation to expand its bioeconomy sector. Through joint projects and potential funding for environmental and net-zero emission initiatives, Indonesia could access financial and technical support for bioeconomy programs. This would enable strategic partnerships between Indonesian stakeholders and European countries or research institutions.

Prof. Astrida noted that she is currently engaged in active collaborations with leading agricultural academies in Lithuania and across Europe to develop bioeconomy initiatives. These partnerships offer valuable opportunities to: Facilitate technology transfer tailored to local agricultural needs, Strengthen human resource capacity, and Accelerate innovation in bioeconomy sectors.International cooperation under the EU Bioeconomy framework enables countries like Lithuania to fast-track the transition to a more sustainable, efficient, and climate-resilient agricultural system—one that not only responds to global environmental challenges but also supports local development and food security.