Report on Towards an ecology intensive agriculture – Learning from nature (NIOO-KNAW)

 

Het Trippenhuis (KNAW), Kloveniersburgwal 29, Amsterdam. 21 April 2015

 

 

In the complex context of current global demography, that is heading towards a 9 billion population by 2050, important concerns regarding food production and ecology arise. A one-day conference hosted by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) in Amsterdam allowed six preeminent experts and three junior scientists to share the state-of-the-art of agroecology as solution to these issues. The whole event was mediated by Prof. Louise Vet, director of NIOO.

 

The lectures covered several interrelated topics – from soil stability and crop overyielding to social aspects such as rural development. By the first PechaKucha (brief, speedy presentation), Louise Vet reminded the audience about the linear management of conventional agriculture, which leads to the already well known problems of biodiversity loss, soil erosion, water pollution and so on, and how nature can be an inspiration to use the resources in a circular, recycling way. Prof. Richard Bardgett (University of Manchester) stressed out the differences between the predominance of bacterial populations within intensively managed soils and the fungi-dominated soils in extensive agriculture, being the latter an indicator of a stable ecosystem. According to Prof. Johan Six (ETH Zürich), reduced tillage, cover crops, and organic fertilizers promote the stability of soil aggregates, carbon sequestration and nutrient retention, all leading to an increase in fertility. Further comments on food production chains, interpreted as ecological-like systems, indicated the need of enhancing their resilience in the face of disturbances or crisis. To enhance overyielding of organic intercropping systems already adapted plants to such conditions must be used (Dr. Gerlinde De Deyn, Wageningen University), that is, mixed crops with plants which were growing in monocultures do not perform better because they are not adapted to the new competitive conditions.Dr. Edmundo Barrios (World Agroforestry Centre, ICRAF) studied the importance of diversity in tree species within agroforestry systems, and how each tree creates resilient and fertile soil microhabitats. Proceeding with fertility in impoverished soils Prof. Ken Giller (Wageningen University) gave an insight in the farm management of sub-Saharan smallholders and how their assessment allows the development of useful management tools to improve crop productivity. Closing with socio-economical aspects Prof. Han Wiskerke (Wageningen University) proposed three different strategies to promote agriculture conservation among farmers: to actively manage the landscape for additional income; to implement multifunctional farming; to use local natural resources instead of artificial ones. Dr. Ciska Veen, Dr. Franciska de Vries and Dr. Jessica Duncan complemented the lectures with inspiring PechaKuchas about soil ecology and implementation of ITs in agriculture. The conference ended with an open debate on the issues presented, allowing everyone (scientists, professors, students, curious people...) to take active part in the discussion of the frontline of agroecology sciences.