Priorities in the development of European agriculture

Between the 23th and the 25th of April, 2013, the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences hosted the first edition of the Visiting Professors programme with its special guest in the person of prof. Alain Peeters — an eminent specialist in agronomy, a lecturer at the University of Leuven in Belgium, and since 1996 a coordinator of the FAO-CIHEAM team (International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies). The event was made possible by funding from the Scientiae Wratislaviensis programme and the Wrocław Municipal council.

During a three day visit in Wrocław, prof. Peeters delivered a series of lectures addressed to the students and academics of the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences. The most numerous group of attendees included the students of the Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology and Faculty of Biology and Animal Science. The lectures were held in English, nonetheless, the language barrier posed no problem whatsoever for numerous discussions on their subject.

In his first speech entitled Agroecology and the reform of the general agricultural policy in the EU countries’ prof. Peeters discussed the issue of holistic and interdisciplinary approach towards agronomy and pointed to the necessity of conducting comprehensive studies in large research teams composed of specialists in various fields-a strategy allowing detailed and in-depth examination of all aspects and interrelationships connected with the functioning of the agroecosystem. Prof. Peeters further discussed the question of the pivotal role of preservation and enhancement of the diversity of species in agricultural areas and highlighted the fact of an enormous potential of agricultural ecosystems for the development of global biodiversity. He also emphasised the importance of introducing alternative farming systems, among which it may be the ‘nature imitating’ agroecology which could become a key system for the protection of animal and plant species in agricultural areas, and at the same time, a system allowing for the production of consumer goods through the extension of ecosystem services. Furthermore, he also stated that the principles of agroecology should find their reflection in the general EU policy, thereby facilitating the creation of appropriate economic and legal tools supporting the development of alternative systems of plant cultivation. One of the key elements of this policy should include the implementation of referential conditions for the development of agroecologic farms, for instance, by means of extensive promotion of agricultural products or by creating uniform certification proving their high quality and origin.

Another question that was numerously highlighted by prof. Peeters was that one of the fundamental principles of agroecology is that all actions need to be undertaken in accordance with nature and that-in line with this approach-it would be necessary to abandon the practices of intensive monoculture plant cultivation and focus on the enhancement of the diversity of plant species. Agroecology is to serve human beings and teach them to cooperate with nature in the process of satisfying their needs and obtaining agricultural products.

In the recent years thanks to the growth of ecological awareness of European farmers- but also due to the related potential financial benefits-more and more European countries give up large scale farming systems. The credit for this change goes to all the EU citizens, whose demands so as to the quality of products are constantly growing and who welcome the opportunity to purchase these products directly from their producers. The lecture triggered among the audience a heated discussion on the potential chances and risks connected with agroecology and, most importantly, whether this type of change of approach and departure from systems of intensive cultivation would provide enough resources to feed the growing populations of the developing countries.

On the second day of his visit, Peeters delivered a lecture ‘Biodiversity and ecosystem services in agriculture’ which attracted not only the UPWr students and academics but also many Wroclaw citizens. He provided an in-depth presentation of the issue of biodiversity in agricultural areas with special focus on individual groups of their resident organisms and their role in agroecosystem.

Agroecology-a field grounded in the observation of both nature and natural phenomena-allows humans to shape their environment so that it retains maximum resemblance to nature. According to prof. Peeters, the economic growth constantly contributes to the intensification of agriculture, thereby posing a serious threat to the stability of agroecosystems. Monocultures, intensive fertilization, chemical plant protection methods as well as the introduction of invasive plant species in fact restrict biodiversity, nonetheless, we are in possession of many tools which may both cause or limit negative and irreversible changes in the natural environment. Owing to the gradual growth of ecological awareness and the introduction of legislative changes, which in line with the principle ‘polluters pay more’, increase the costs of environment exploitation by European farmers, more and more attention has been devoted to the potential benefits connected with the implementation of agroecologic strategies which allow to significantly cut down on the costs of production. observing good agricultural practices and restricting the consumption of natural resources by introducing closed systems of production lie at the basis of sustained agricultural development. Prof. Peeters also pointed to a number of potential benefits connected with ecosystem services. He described them as states and processes thanks to which natural ecosystems, together with their integral living organisms, support and become an integral part of human life processes. They are responsible for the maintenance of biodiversity and production of ecosystemic goods, such as food, wood, biofuels, cellulose and other industrial products. These goods allow to reduce the exploitation of natural resources by human beings and guarantee their protection and preservation for future generations. Also this lecture caused a heated discussion among the audience.

The third day of Professor’s visit saw the workshops for the researchers from all the UPWr faculties. Their main focus was on determining principal strategies and directions of agricultural research with special attention to related social aspects. The participants debated on the issues and crucial aspects of research in the context of the global economic policies, dynamic growth of the world’s population, climatic changes and increased competition between countries in the process of obtaining natural resources. what was also discussed were numerous issues that would allow for the identification of crucial areas of research in Polish agriculture.

In addition to his valuable scientific contributions, prof. Peeters visited a number of local sites, including the Barycz River Landscape Park, the Wroclaw Park of Technology as well as the most beautiful historic locations of the city of Wroclaw.

Prof. Alain Peeters-currently head of the RHEA-Natural Resources, Human Environment and Agronomy scientific research centre-is a devoted promoter of agroecology and sustainable development of agriculture. He is a lecturer at a number of European universities.

Agnieszka Medyńska-Juraszek