At the end of August, the Agri-Food Cluster North Savo participated in the Comprehensive Security Cluster Event, where clusters and ecosystem actors from North Savo’s key areas of vitality provided insights into the sectors’ vitality, regional preparedness, and factors contributing to comprehensive security. The event attracted over 80 participants to the Savonia Campus Heart.

The discussions covered themes such as food security and food safety, communication disruptions and cybersecurity, additive manufacturing (3D printing), wellness technology, the safeguarding of critical infrastructure, as well as smart water systems and the opportunities in biorefining.

Kati Partanen, the network specialist from the Agri-Food Cluster, gave an informative presentation on food security and the activities of the Agri-Food Cluster. According to the UN definition, food security is a state where all people have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and preferences for an active and healthy life. Threats to food security include the depletion of water resources, a decline in the number of producers, rural depopulation, disease epidemics, and extreme weather events caused by climate change. Additionally, global politics and political decisions impact agricultural support, as well as exports and imports. Global demand also raises the question: Is there enough food for the northernmost regions of Europe?

According to Partanen, the threats to food security can be overcome with new products, technology, and knowledge. Regional research activities are important because their results are most effectively rooted in benefiting local businesses. The Agri-Food Cluster serves as a platform where research and businesses meet, both locally and internationally. Jaana Jaroma from Servica Oy, the newest member company of the cluster, also gave a very interesting presentation on the security of food services.

At the Agri-Food Cluster’s exhibition stand, participants had the opportunity to engage in discussions about food security by commenting on future perspectives and challenges gathered from workshops organized by the cluster. The topic generated a lot of interest among participants, providing new perspectives on the development of the cluster.