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Agriculture
Figure 1. Credits to La Flerial Eric Lenoir Paysagiste Éric, the “punk gardener”. When humility and counterculture serve biodiversity

Observing instead of mowing. Questioning rather than executing. Eric is a “punk gardener”. He praises slowness and considers himself a guest in our natural environment. Because “the time has come to take a step back and curb this unsustainable civilization”

January 2024
Buy local to bridge the gap: how short food supply chains are making communities closer and the economy healthier Buy local to bridge the gap: how short food supply chains are making communities closer and the economy healthier

Short food supply chains have gained momentum in promoting local cooperation and development. Yet, fostering them is not easy. See how a European project aims to bridge the gap between small producers and agri-food giants through a holistic approach 

 

November 2023
The minority factor: empowering women in agriculture to boost productivity and social justice The minority factor: empowering women in agriculture to boost productivity and social justice

The role of women and other minorities in agriculture is critical in improving food security and eradicating poverty. However, it is often neither recognised nor properly remunerated. See how GPS-controlled goats, digital platforms, and diverse gender initiatives help make the industry more sustainable, inclusive, and future-oriented

October 2023
Photo from Pexels Recovering nutrients to save the planet: the fertilizer challenge

Crucial for nature and agriculture, nutrients are key elements for fertilizers. Researchers are fighting climate change and soil pollution, by recovering them from bio-waste, but experts warn: “Science is not enough. We need a cultural shift”

July 2023
Agriculture in the era of the water challenge: how to survive drought and climate change Agriculture in the era of the water challenge: how to survive drought and climate change

 In Spain, drought is causing irreversible losses to over 3 million crops. Worldwide, water scarcity is expected to increase in more than 80 percent of croplands. From new irrigation systems to support funds, experts and EU schemes are testing sustainable answers to a burning question: how to let agriculture survive the challenge of global warming? In Spain, drought is causing irreversible losses to over 3 million crops. Worldwide, water scarcity is expected to increase in more than 80 percent of croplands. From new irrigation systems to support funds, experts and EU schemes are testing sustainable answers to a burning question: how to let agriculture survive the challenge of global warming?

June 2023
Financing agriculture to destroy biodiversity: the subsidies paradox Financing agriculture to destroy biodiversity: the subsidies paradox

One out of four animal and plant species is threatened, and 1 million face extinction. The UN warns of a “biodiversity apocalypse,” but experts say: “We spend much more financing the destruction of nature, than conserving it.” Discover the “subsidies paradox” and how some pilot experiences are trying to reverse the trend.

February 2023
Working in the bioeconomy: make a job out of your environmental engagement Working in the bioeconomy: make a job out of your environmental engagement

The bioeconomy is expected to create 1 million jobs by 2030. From agriculture to the food industry, a wide range of opportunities is within reach for almost everybody. From dedicated masters’ programmes to mobile apps and serious games, how to access the careers of the future?

November 2022
“In difficult times the bioeconomy is not a luxury, but a real opportunity” “In difficult times the bioeconomy is not a luxury, but a real opportunity”

The prices of fertilisers jumped by +116% in one year. While the Ukraine war and the energy crisis are stressing the urgency of ending Europe’s dependence on Russian imports, an EU-funded project aims at creating new circular and bio-based chains in agriculture. “The time to act is now,” says the father of the bioeconomy, Christian Patermann. “It is not a luxury, but an opportunity”

October 2022
Recycling nutrients to save the Planet and avert a global food crisis Recycling nutrients to save the Planet and avert a global food crisis

Plant nutrients are crucial for fertilizers, but the war in Ukraine is highlighting Europe's dependence on non-EU countries and the risk of a global food crisis. A circular approach is being tested to recover such key elements from wastewaters. And in so doing, also preventing pollution and promoting a new generation of sustainable bio-fertilizers

May 2022
Digitalising for repopulating: a virtual marketplace to revive rural areas in the wake of Covid-19 Digitalising for repopulating: a virtual marketplace to revive rural areas in the wake of Covid-19

The Covid pandemic planted the seeds of a new mindset and pushed lots of EU citizens to telecommute from rural areas. However, most of these still record a shrinking population and fewer opportunities than urban zones. Four are testing a digital marketplace aimed at boosting their economic growth and at avoiding the devastating effects of rural gentrification.

April 2022
Myriam Martín, Coordinator of dRural Filling the gender gap in agriculture: viable opportunities for women

Country life may be romantic, but regional development counts too. Digitalisation can help boost gender equality and curb rural poverty

October 2021
Agriculture goes green – New bio-fertilisers to make farming more sustainable Agriculture goes green – New bio-fertilisers to make farming more sustainable

The European Union has updated its rules on fertilisers, which almost exclusively covered mined or chemically produced materials. While new organic fertilisers will now be able to enter the EU market in 2022, researchers are testing innovative bio-based solutions to boost the circular economy

July 2021
Bio-based alternatives to plastic plant pots Bio-based alternatives to plastic plant pots

Plastic plant pots are often used once – to bring on plants from seed or transport them home from the shops – and then thrown away. While these pots are very convenient, such disposable items contribute significantly to plastic pollution. It is possible, however, to buy biodegradable plant pots produced from bio-based materials

October 2018
Climate change threatens some of the world’s best wines Climate change threatens some of the world’s best wines

Global warming is affecting the taste and production of wine growing regions across the world. Finding genes better suited to stress and pests can boost resilience

July 2017
Satellites and high-tech solutions help African farmers face historic drought Satellites and high-tech solutions help African farmers face historic drought

African and European researchers are employing high-tech water management research methods to help low-tech South African smallholders improve food security. Additionally, extremely high levels of Microcystin toxicity and uranium contamination in important river systems spark calls for extra research on bioaccumulation through the human food chain

August 2016
Resilient seeds - Nurturing the future of agriculture Resilient seeds - Nurturing the future of agriculture

Climate change and man-made events put global food security at risk. But researching how plants produce seeds and evolve could help us find new ways to ensure food security

February 2016
Sensors and drones: hi-tech sentinels for crops Sensors and drones: hi-tech sentinels for crops

The precision agriculture sector is expected to grow at a high rate over the coming years. This new way of farming is already a reality in northwest Italy, where technologies are being used to keep plants in a good state of health but also to avert the loss of quality yields

June 2015
Pig plague threatens Europe Pig plague threatens Europe

Europe’s valuable pig industry is threatened by a plague on its eastern borders with vast destructive potential known as African swine fever. Scientists are fighting back. 

December 2014
Urban agriculture is more than a hippy-style hobby Urban agriculture is more than a hippy-style hobby

Meeting the challenge of developing a sustainable living may require introducing agriculture in urban areas

October 2014
Reducing pesticides and boosting harvests Reducing pesticides and boosting harvests

Scientists in Italy are experimenting with sound vibrations to replace pesticides. Adapting different eco-friendly methods they are able to boost harvests and open up a new chapter in sustainable farming.  

September 2014
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Agriculture
Figure 1. Credits to La Flerial Eric Lenoir PaysagisteÉric, the “punk gardener”. When humility and counterculture serve biodiversity

Observing instead of mowing. Questioning rather than executing. Eric is a “punk gardener”. He praises slowness and considers himself a guest in our natural environment. Because “the time has come to take a step back and curb this unsustainable civilization”

January 2024
Buy local to bridge the gap: how short food supply chains are making communities closer and the economy healthierBuy local to bridge the gap: how short food supply chains are making communities closer and the economy healthier

Short food supply chains have gained momentum in promoting local cooperation and development. Yet, fostering them is not easy. See how a European project aims to bridge the gap between small producers and agri-food giants through a holistic approach 

 

November 2023
The minority factor: empowering women in agriculture to boost productivity and social justiceThe minority factor: empowering women in agriculture to boost productivity and social justice

The role of women and other minorities in agriculture is critical in improving food security and eradicating poverty. However, it is often neither recognised nor properly remunerated. See how GPS-controlled goats, digital platforms, and diverse gender initiatives help make the industry more sustainable, inclusive, and future-oriented

October 2023
Photo from PexelsRecovering nutrients to save the planet: the fertilizer challenge

Crucial for nature and agriculture, nutrients are key elements for fertilizers. Researchers are fighting climate change and soil pollution, by recovering them from bio-waste, but experts warn: “Science is not enough. We need a cultural shift”

July 2023
Agriculture in the era of the water challenge: how to survive drought and climate changeAgriculture in the era of the water challenge: how to survive drought and climate change

 In Spain, drought is causing irreversible losses to over 3 million crops. Worldwide, water scarcity is expected to increase in more than 80 percent of croplands. From new irrigation systems to support funds, experts and EU schemes are testing sustainable answers to a burning question: how to let agriculture survive the challenge of global warming? In Spain, drought is causing irreversible losses to over 3 million crops. Worldwide, water scarcity is expected to increase in more than 80 percent of croplands. From new irrigation systems to support funds, experts and EU schemes are testing sustainable answers to a burning question: how to let agriculture survive the challenge of global warming?

June 2023
Financing agriculture to destroy biodiversity: the subsidies paradoxFinancing agriculture to destroy biodiversity: the subsidies paradox

One out of four animal and plant species is threatened, and 1 million face extinction. The UN warns of a “biodiversity apocalypse,” but experts say: “We spend much more financing the destruction of nature, than conserving it.” Discover the “subsidies paradox” and how some pilot experiences are trying to reverse the trend.

February 2023
Working in the bioeconomy: make a job out of your environmental engagementWorking in the bioeconomy: make a job out of your environmental engagement

The bioeconomy is expected to create 1 million jobs by 2030. From agriculture to the food industry, a wide range of opportunities is within reach for almost everybody. From dedicated masters’ programmes to mobile apps and serious games, how to access the careers of the future?

November 2022
“In difficult times the bioeconomy is not a luxury, but a real opportunity”“In difficult times the bioeconomy is not a luxury, but a real opportunity”

The prices of fertilisers jumped by +116% in one year. While the Ukraine war and the energy crisis are stressing the urgency of ending Europe’s dependence on Russian imports, an EU-funded project aims at creating new circular and bio-based chains in agriculture. “The time to act is now,” says the father of the bioeconomy, Christian Patermann. “It is not a luxury, but an opportunity”

October 2022
Recycling nutrients to save the Planet and avert a global food crisisRecycling nutrients to save the Planet and avert a global food crisis

Plant nutrients are crucial for fertilizers, but the war in Ukraine is highlighting Europe's dependence on non-EU countries and the risk of a global food crisis. A circular approach is being tested to recover such key elements from wastewaters. And in so doing, also preventing pollution and promoting a new generation of sustainable bio-fertilizers

May 2022
Digitalising for repopulating: a virtual marketplace to revive rural areas in the wake of Covid-19Digitalising for repopulating: a virtual marketplace to revive rural areas in the wake of Covid-19

The Covid pandemic planted the seeds of a new mindset and pushed lots of EU citizens to telecommute from rural areas. However, most of these still record a shrinking population and fewer opportunities than urban zones. Four are testing a digital marketplace aimed at boosting their economic growth and at avoiding the devastating effects of rural gentrification.

April 2022