development of a model for agroecology in europe: science ... expo jrc agroecology...
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Development of a model for agroecologyin Europe: science and practice
Alain PeetersRHEA Research Center
Belgium
EXPO, Milan & JRC, Ispra13‐14 July 2015
Time to act in Europe
Developing agroecology in real systems and monitoring by science
Solutions exist, they are under development
A decision support tool for soil fertility management and for avoiding common failures
A major conclusionClassical, analytical science alone cannot do it! Holistic and participatory approaches are needed!
Messages
Long crop rotation, narrow plots (60 m wide), biodiversity at all levels
Arable area: 60 haPermanent grassland area: 25 haEcological area: 15 ha
Cropping pattern
Nitrogen flux and statusMixed farm
Tempor. grassland
Tempor. grassland
Cereal 1 Cereal 2 Fababean
HempTempor. grassland
Graux Estate: Rustic animal breed Full outdoor systems (out‐wintering system)
Rotational grazing based on white clover/grass, Mixed grazing (beef, sheep), Feed self‐sufficiency
Well‐developed ecological network pest suppressive herbaceous strips
Ecologicalinfrastructure
• Woodland• Hedges• Ponds• Herbaceous strips
Biodiversity atlandscape level
Widespread reasons of failure
Not enough legumes in the crop rotation• In mixed farms: > 50% of temporary grassland necessary• In arable farms: living mulch in the main crop
Tillage and frequent harrowing• > 75% tillage is not a problem• 50‐75% critical no‐till• < 50% not sustainable
2. Developing agroecological models for temperate Europe
Sequestration or release of carbon according to land use (Arrouays et al. 2002 in Vertès et al. 2007)
Arable Grass
Grass Arable
Agroecological versus conventional
http://agri‐culture.fr/article/agriculture‐vegetal‐economie/le‐bio‐en‐grandes‐cultures‐en‐voie‐de‐developpement
2014 Conventional Organic
Yield (t/ha) 8.9 3.3Price (€/t) 165 360
Gross product (€/ha) 1 468 1 188
Fertilizer (€/ha) 222 0
Seeds (€/ha) 63 140
Treatments (€/ha) 173 25*
Total costs (€/ha) 458 165
Gross margin (€/ha) 1 010 1 023
Yield, cost and profitability of conventional and organic wheat in France
* One hoeing and one harrowing
Changing paradigms
Scientific reform:
• Better balance between holistic and participatory approaches /analytical approaches
• New system of researcher evaluation
• Recognition that science is not neutral (UNESCO 1999)
3. Discussion and conclusions
(Peeters 2015)