Stakeholder Conference on Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Nutrient Management:

The Agricultural University of Athens organised a highly significant event for stakeholders comprising a technical tour to greenhouses on the 26th of September and a Stakeholder Conference on the 27th of September 2024. Both events focused on the urgent need for sustainable nutrient management in agriculture. Co-organized by three EU-funded research projects (ECONUTRI, TRANS4NUM, and PESTNU), the event brought together a diverse array of experts and stakeholders from across Europe and China to explore nature-based solutions aimed at eliminating soil, water, and air pollution caused by nitrogen and phosphorus emissions.

This joint venture marked a significant step forward in fostering international collaboration in the field of sustainable agriculture, particularly through the participation of key stakeholders representing different sectors of the agricultural production chain.

The conference’s primary objective was to promote knowledge exchange, innovation, and collaboration across a broad spectrum of participants, including growers, researchers, industry representatives, and public sector officials.

Opening Remarks

The conference opened with remarks by Thomas Bartzanas, Vice Rector of Research, Finance & Development at the Agricultural University of Athens, and Dimitrios Savvas, Professor and Director of the Laboratory of Vegetable Production at the same institution. Their speeches highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts across borders to address nutrient emissions in agriculture. The opening session also featured presentations from the coordinators of the sister projects:

 

Stakeholder Contributions

Distinguished speakers from Europe and China shared their expertise on advanced technologies, sustainable practices, and policy strategies aimed at reducing environmental impact while maintaining the productivity and competitiveness of agriculture.

  1. Konstantinos Filippidis, CEO of Intelligent Green Crops (IGC), Greece
    Title: “Growing leafy vegetables in hydroponics with zero nutrient emissions and renewable energy input: The case study of the company Intelligent Green Crops (Magikos Kipos)”.
  2. Foteini Giannakopoulou, General Manager at Hellenic Fertilizers’ Association (SPEL), Greece
    Title: “Demands, challenges and sustainability goals for the fertilizer industry”.
  3. Tommy Dalgaard, Aarhus University, Denmark
    Title: “Sustainable nutrient management and the role of agroecology in agricultural systems, landscapes, and watersheds”.
  4. Jurek Kruk, Microlife Company, Poland
    Title: “Small great things – making microbes work for plants”.
  5. George Papazis, Agronomist, Greece
    Title: “Sustainable fertilization practices from growers’ and professionals’ perspective”.
  6. Andras Ver, Széchenyi István University (SZE), Hungary
    Title: “The importance of crop rotation and the use of biofertilizers in the Hungarian research area of the Trans4num project”.
  7. István Mihály Kulmány, Széchenyi István University (SZE), Hungary
    Title: “Implementing NBS solutions to the agriculture sector of Central and Eastern European countries – Hungarian perspective”.
  8. Brian Lee, Ruifeng Ecological Environment Technology Co., Ltd., China
    Title: “Practices in soil improvement and crop stimulation with organic liquid fertilizer application”.
  9. George Vasiliadis, Agronomist, Greenhouse Constructions, Cyprus
    Title: “Applying innovating technologies in a modern greenhouse in Cyprus. ECONUTRI the missing link”.
  10. Prof. Simon Willcock, Rothamsted Research, UK
    Title: “Teasing apart the impacts of different Nature-based Solutions”.
  11. Panagiotis Chatzinikolaou, Vice President of ELGO-Dimitra, Greece
    Title: “The objectives of Green Deal to reduce fertilizer losses by 50% up to 2030 and the contribution of the Hellenic Agricultural Organisation Dimitra”.
  12. Henk Westerhof, SPNA, The Netherlands
    Title: “Fully plant-based nutrition, a realistic approach”.
  13. Liang Wu, Yonfer Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd., China
    Title: “Nitrogen use efficiency and crop quality improvement by nitrification-inhibited NPK fertilizers”.
  14. Pablo Quirós, R&D Project Manager, Fertinagro Biotech, Spain
    Title: “Sustainability and efficiency in the application and use of nutrients. Towards responsible and quality agriculture”.
  15. Kangguo Mu, Henan Fulian Biotechnology Co., Ltd., China
    Title: “The function and effect of fertilizer synergist”.

 

The event also included one full day with site visits to ECONUTRI trial locations, allowing participants to observe real-world applications of the innovative technologies and nature-based solutions discussed during the conference.

Conclusion: A Milestone for Sustainable Agriculture

The joint conference underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration in tackling the challenges posed by nutrient emissions in agriculture. By engaging stakeholders from research, industry, and public sectors, the event provided a platform for integrating new technologies and best practices that align with global sustainability goals.

The event was a satellite activity of the I International Symposium on Protected Cultivation, Nettings, and Screens for Mild Climates, organized by the ECONUTRI team of the Agricultural University of Athens under the aegis of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS).

The positive feedback from participants highlights the event’s success in driving forward the conversation on sustainable nutrient management, with many expressing optimism for future collaborations and innovations inspired by the conference.

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