"Farmers are
inevitably forced to reduce their use of fertilizers: these are the principles
underpinning the European Union 's policy on sustainable agriculture.
According to
experts, about 20 percent of the soil used for agriculture is already destroyed
by erosion, and without changing anything, both farmers and consumers would
feel the painful consequences in three to four years, the report said.
The biggest
challenge is how to not only maintain stable yields but also improve results by
reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides. According to entrepreneurs,
smart solutions and cooperation between farmers are crucial for more
sustainable agriculture. Agricultural market participants and experts will
share their experience and find innovative solutions in discussions at the
biggest business event of the year on the Internet, the Lithuanian Business
Forum.
Dusting fields -
the effect of soil erosion
Virginijus
Beinoras, a member of the Lithuanian Association of Sustainable Agriculture,
says that everyone can see the effect of soil erosion.
"It is
especially clear that the soil is damaged when huge clouds of dust rise into
the sky while preparing the soil for sowing. Particles rising into the air mean
that there is a decrease in the amount of binder, organic matter, in the upper
part of the soil.
In this way, part
of the soil is lost every year: it is blown up and washed away by rain. When
the soil lacks the necessary substances, especially organic carbon, the land
degrades and you do not grow a good crop on unhealthy soil,” - explains V.
Beinoras.
According to the
interviewee, scientists estimate that about 20 percent of the soil in Lithuania
is ruined.
"Farmers are
now in a vicious circle: in order to compensate for the loss of crop due to
degrading soil, they often opt for more intensive fertilization, plowing, and
forget the basic principles of crop rotation," says a member of the
Sustainable Agriculture Association.
According to Arnas
Radzevičius, the head of the agro-precision technology department of
Agrokoncernas, it is obvious that in three to four years, without changing
anything, everyone would feel the effect of land degradation: yields would
decrease and Lithuanian agricultural products would become more expensive.
(Poland would continue to save us from starvation. (K.)) However, according to
the interlocutor, Lithuanian farmers are currently trying to maintain the
properties of the soil, and we can see such rapid degradation only where the
soil is deliberately depleted. (Everywhere else everything is just dandy... (K.))
"It should be
borne in mind that agriculture is not only the production of products, the
results of this sector also affect the transport sector, the energy sector, the
fuel market, the activities of scientific laboratories and various other areas.
If the situation of farmers deteriorates significantly, it will affect almost
everyone,” - notes A. Radzevičius.
The tools are
different, the goal is the same
Although the
requirements of the European Union's green rate to use less fertilizer are a
challenge for farmers, according to Mr Beinor, the end result could be good.
"If it is decided to reduce the amount of mineral fertilizers and
chemicals, it is necessary to follow several basic rules: 1 - minimal movement
of the soil, 2 - to expand crop rotation, 3 - to ensure surface cover with
growing plants and their residues, 4 - to take care of soil biodiversity. Only
by applying a complex solution, not only the soil, but also the “food” grown in
it will be of better quality and healthier,” - says a member of the Association
of Non-Predatory Sustainable Agriculture.
According to the
specialist, it would be most effective to save the soil and allow it to recover
without working the damaged areas at all. "Leaving natural meadows in such
fields would allow the soil to recover over time: degradation and the effects
of erosion would be reduced. Reducing intensive production in the damaged areas
would reduce water pollution - rivers, lakes, the Baltic Sea. Restricting the
activities of several thousand farmers would protect the health of millions of
people, not to mention the survival of billions of soil creatures,” - says
V. Beinoras.
Justinas Taruška,
moderator of the Lithuanian Business Forum's discussions on the challenges for
agriculture, points out that it is impossible to completely abandon fertilizers
and pesticides and engage in organic farming alone. "Yields would fall
drastically, agricultural products would become unaffordable for many, and we
would face huge social problems," he said.
J. Taruška, the
head of Nando, one of the largest producers of surfactants and microbiological
products in the Baltic States, points out that measures to reduce the use of
fertilizers are already in place. "We develop products to help farmers
conserve the soil and grow the same crop at lower cost. Appropriate chemical
engineering products help farmers to spread plant protection products more
evenly through pesticide spraying. measures to control weeds or diseases in a
targeted manner. Natural good bacteria help plants to absorb the necessary
macro and micro elements, as well as improve soil structure, better absorb
fertilizer products and compensate for their lower rates in the event of a
shortage of fertilizers,” - explains J. Taruška. The interviewee adds that the
sales of the company's products grew 3 times last year, this year the growth is
forecasted 2-3 times more. (When there is no organic matter in the soil, there is no
work for J. Taruška's good bacteria there either. (K.))
Smart solutions
would help
Jonas Bakšys,
Business Development Director of Linas Agro Group, points out that smart
solutions that need to be improved are crucial for sustainable farming.
"The use of digital tools is now important in agriculture: farm data
management programs are being used to calculate as accurately as possible how
much and what resources are needed to cultivate the soil and harvest the
required amount. Only by collecting and analyzing data can better economic
results be assessed, decided and predicted. "Linas Agro Group is
developing an easy-to-use, Lithuanian smart app "Geoface" for the
needs of our country's farms," - says J. Bakšys. . (When there is no
organic matter in the soil, J. Bakšys' "Geoface" does not work there either.
(K.))
Secondly, A.
Radzevičius, the representative of Agrokoncerno, adds that it is very difficult
to attract smart technology specialists to the agricultural sector, which would
help to develop innovations.
The director of
business development of Linas Agro Group blames lack of the cooperation of farmers
themselves. "Lithuanian farmers do not compete with each other. The main
competition is in the international market. Therefore, in order to achieve
better results in the local agricultural sector, it is important to share
success stories with each other, and especially - failures, mistakes that we
could not repeat again, ”notes J. Bakšys.
A. Radzevičius
adds that currently individual farms are taking individual initiatives on how
to work more sustainably and efficiently, but revolutionary solutions could be
found by sharing. (Great, revolution is just around the corner… (K.))
Business
representatives, scientists and experts will look for solutions to the most
important challenges in the field of agriculture and will share their
experience at the largest business event of the year on the Internet, the
Lithuanian Business Forum. In total, the participants of the forum will hear
more than 300 presentations and discussions from business, economics and
management leaders on February 23-25.”
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