According to the Scientific Advisory Board for Natural Climate Protection (WBNK), agroforests are “a key to the future of our agricultural landscapes.” Politicians should therefore promote them more strongly, for example within the framework of the ANK and through a separate agroforestry strategy.
By Alexandra Endres
The agricultural turnaround refers to a profound change in agriculture aimed at sustainability, environmental compatibility and the preservation of natural resources. This term, which has become increasingly important in recent years, describes a comprehensive transformation that affects not only the way in which agricultural products are produced, but also the entire agricultural economy. Read the latest news on the agricultural transition from the Table.Briefings editorial team here! What is the agricultural transition? The agricultural transition can be understood as a process in which traditional agriculture based on high yields is being transformed in favor of sustainable and ecologically oriented farming. The aim of this transition is to reduce the negative effects of intensive agriculture, such as soil erosion, loss of biodiversity and climate change, while at the same time safeguarding livelihoods for future generations. The process is both lengthy and complex and is influenced by many factors, including political decisions, societal changes and economic constraints. Agricultural transition: Background information on agribusiness What is involved in agribusiness? To understand the agricultural transition, it is important to take a look at the agricultural economy as a whole. The term "agrarian" is derived from the Latin word "agri" for "field" and refers to agriculture and all related economic activities. The agricultural economy therefore encompasses the production of food, raw materials and energy through agricultural activities as well as the processing and trading of these goods. Are agriculture and farming the same thing? The terms agribusiness and agriculture are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference. While agriculture refers directly to the growing of crops and the raising of animals, agribusiness encompasses a broader spectrum, including the processing, trading and marketing of agricultural products. Simply put, agribusiness is the entire sector that combines agriculture with all upstream (e.g. seed production) and downstream (e.g. food processing) activities. The agricultural transition and the farm-to-fork strategy A key component of the agricultural transition is the so-called "farm-to-fork" strategy, which was launched by the European Union as part of the European Green Deal. This strategy aims to make the entire food chain – from farmer to consumer – more sustainable. The term "Farm to Fork" (or "from farm to fork") illustrates the link between the production of food and its consumption. The aim is to make the journey of food from the producer to the end consumer as environmentally friendly and sustainable as possible. What is the farm-to-fork strategy? The farm-to-fork strategy includes measures to reduce pesticides, promote organic farming and improve animal health and welfare. The Farm to Fork Strategy aims not only to reduce pesticides and promote organic farming, but also to improve sustainability more broadly along the entire food chain, including reducing food losses and waste. This makes it a central component of the agricultural transition, as it directly targets a sustainable transformation of the entire food chain and thus has a significant impact on agricultural practices. The scope of the agricultural transition: Transforming agriculture The agricultural transition marks one of the most significant transformations of agriculture in its history. This transformation is being driven not only by political measures, but also by technological innovations and the growing desire of consumers for sustainably produced food. What will change in agriculture in 2024? From 2024, a number of significant changes will take effect in agriculture, such as Organic Regulation 1 or the GAEC 8 derogations. In addition, new EU regulations will come into force that set stricter environmental requirements for farmers. Among other things, these regulations promote the use of precision technologies that enable more efficient use of resources such as water and fertilizers. Technologies such as drones, sensors and satellite monitoring are increasingly being used to monitor the condition of fields in real time, enabling more precise and resource-efficient farming. What is greening in agriculture? Another key element of the agricultural turnaround is greening. Greening refers to measures for the ecological management of agricultural land that go beyond the minimum requirements. These include, for example, the cultivation of catch crops, the diversification of crops and the preservation of permanent grassland. These measures have been part of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for several years and have been mandatory for farmers receiving direct payments since 2015. Organic farming as part of the agricultural transition A central component of the agricultural transition is organic farming. Organic farming is a form of agriculture that avoids the use of synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilizers and instead promotes natural processes and cycles. The aim of organic farming is to work in harmony with nature while producing healthy food, and organic farming plays a key role in the agricultural transition as it is seen as a model for sustainable agriculture. The demand for organically produced food has risen steadily in recent years, increasing the pressure on conventional farmers to rethink their production methods and, if necessary, convert to more organic farming. However, despite growing demand, organic farming still accounts for a comparatively small share of total agricultural production and switching from conventional to organic farming is associated with considerable challenges. Conclusion and outlook for the future of the agricultural transition The agricultural transition is a comprehensive transformation of agriculture that has a profound impact on the way food is produced and consumed. Through the introduction of more sustainable practices, technological innovations and an increased focus on organic farming, agriculture is becoming increasingly environmentally friendly. This shift is necessary not only to meet the challenges of climate change, but also to safeguard the livelihoods of future generations. The coming years will show how successful this transformation will be and to what extent the goals of the agricultural turnaround can be implemented in practice. The Table.Briefings editorial team reports on how the agricultural transition is progressing and has all the news, analyses and background information on this topic.
