In Spain earth-banked terraces are constructed on moderately gentle slopes by agricultural machines to reduce slope gradient and length and improve soil organic matter and structure. Terraces reduce the formation of gullies and retain water from upslope and often stones are used to reinforce the terrace ridge. The terrace ridges...

Together with others, URGENCI, the international network of Local and Solidarity -based Partnerships for Agroecology, has asked European Union Commissioners and their teams to provide guidance and a clear perspective of the road forward, meeting citizens’ expectations across Europe, by publishing the #EUFarm2Fork by end of April 2020

This edition of the EAFRD Projects Brochure presents EAFRD-supported projects from the 2014-2020 RDPs that have successfully improved services, jobs or social inclusion in rural areas – sometimes achieving more than was initially planned. The publication shows how social objectives can go hand in hand with economic and environmental sustainability and...

Rural and intermediate areas account for 88% of the EU’s territory, are home to 55% of its population, generate 43% of its gross value added and host 56% of its jobs. Rural development is therefore extremely important and a vital tool for achieving the territorial cohesion objective enshrined in the...

Water shortage is one of the most limiting factors for sustainable agriculture in large parts of South East Spain. Part of the solution of this problem may come from the restoration of traditional water harvesting structures. This technology describes small earthen or stone-built bund that diverts flood water, during runoff...

Les GASAP (groupe d’achats solidaires de l’agriculture paysanne) proposent de la vente directe, sans intermédiaire, qui permet un lien direct et solidaire avec des fermes locales qui travaillent pour une agriculture « agroécologique », pourvoyeuse d’emplois dans nos régions. C’est bien plus qu’un panier de légumes bio, c’est une véritable alternative alimentaire. Frères des AMAP françaises, les GASAP sont une initiative citoyenne...

Eip Agri  Newsletter on Agriculture & Innovation

Healthy soils are fundamental to the sustainable production of food, feed and fibre. In addition, healthy soils also provide many other functions that contribute to human well-being such as water filtering, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling and biodiversity preservation. Soil health is affected by unsustainable management practices like frequent tillage, which...

In a series of webinars organized by Forum Synergies and ARC2020, four innovative and committed agroecological initiatives outlined their respective capacities in addressing the challenge at the time of COVID-19. Dozens of people from across Europe and beyond took part in the conversation. The event provided a moment of reflection, some key contemporary...

From the topics: Tackling drought with irrigations, exceptional measures to support the agri-food sector, smart rural: the journey to become a smart village, mountain areas' products, how to reduce food loss on the farm and many more.

From the topics: AgriFish Council, vibrant rural areas: access to services workshop, interviews with the Romanian minister of agriculture and rural development and many more.

Agriculture has become increasingly dependent on the use of herbicides and of pesticides, which has helped boost agricultural yield and food production. As a result, herbicides have become the foundation of weed management in today’s arable cropping systems. At the same time, herbicides can have effects on the environment, non-target...

From the topics: Launch of public consultation regarding the long term vision for rural areas, public consultation on the impact of CAP, implications of farm to fork strategy on agriculture and CAP and many more.

The Common Agricultural Policy puts farmers at the core of its actions. The 2017 Commission Communication “The Future of Food and Farming” credits farmers with guaranteeing food security for over 500 million European citizens and being the first stewards of the natural environment. It fashions the role of the policy...

Joint goals for sustainable development. With its 2030 Agenda, the United Nations has presented a global action framework for sustainable develop-ment. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, with a total of 169 sub-goals, are the cornerstone of the Agenda. The German Sustainability Strategy is informed by the 2030 Agenda...

This fifth progress report provides an update on achievements with respect to the European Union’s (EU) two ambitious commitments on nutrition: to support partner countries to reduce the number of stunted children under the age of five by at least 7 million by 2025; and to allocate EUR 3.5 billion...

The common agricultural policy ensures a stable food supply, produced in a sustainable way at affordable prices for the EU’s 446 million consumers. It also supports jobs and growth in rural areas.

This mapping report is an overview of how agroecology is understood by different citizens (policymakers, farmers, members civil society, researchers, and consumers) and a rich collection of a variety of existing national agroecology initiatives that are vital, productive, and ready to pave the way for an agroecological transition of agriculture...

Agriculture in the mountains differs from the lowlands and has some inherent constraints due to geographical isolation, a low levels of infrastructure development, difficult climatic conditions and fragile ecosystems making agricultural production, marketing and development more difficult. Agriculture and forestry are the most traditional \ work sectors in the Carpathians, shaping...

The European Commission is expected to publish its communication on the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas during the first semester 2021. The Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas is coordinated by Vice-President Dubravka Šuica, European Commissioner for Democracy & Demography. Janusz Wojciechowski, EU Commissioner for Agriculture, and Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for...