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LV Latvian and Estonian farmers agree on a joint project
1February 5th – 16th took place in Jelgava societies "Farmers' Assembly" and the Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce jointly organized the project “GreenAgri” conference on current issues in organic fertilizer management. Conferences On the first day, participants visited agricultural companies that deal with organic fertilizer management. On the second day, Latvian and Estonian experts presented the different environmental requirements in force, how to use resources efficiently, and organic fertilizer application technologies.
Within the framework of the “GreenAgri” project, a joint team of Latvian and Estonian experts will work on the development of innovative organic manure management technologies and methods for four years. During the project, various types of manure management will be observed and evaluated in the demonstration fields of 10 Latvian and 10 Estonian farmers. Experts and researchers will collect and analyze the obtained data on possible nutrient leakage and provide farmers with information on optimal solutions for the storage, spreading and incorporation of organic manure. The conference and farm visits were the first stage to update the discussion on effective organic manure management. By getting acquainted with the operation of biogas plants and slurry management technologies of SIA “Latvi Dan Agro”, SIA “LLU MPS Vecauce” and SIA “Ar Agro”, the participants were able to evaluate the practices of Latvian farmers.
"The impact of agricultural activity is very wide-ranging. Unfortunately, in some cases, mistakes are still made during farming, and nutrients are released into the environment. Fertilization is one example where, at the same time as added value, damage is often caused. Therefore, together with our Estonian colleagues, we have launched the "GreenAgri" project - with the aim of exchanging theoretical knowledge and practical experience about organic fertilizers, about technologies that are available to reduce the negative impact on surrounding waters, the Baltic Sea and the climate in general. This was a great opportunity to bring together the smartest and most experienced minds from both local and foreign countries. Among the participants are farmers, representatives of ministries, researchers - it is a full bouquet of participants involved in the organic fertilizer management process," This is what Maira Dzelzkalēja-Burmistre, Deputy Chairperson of the Farmers' Parliament, said about the conference.
Romet Sormus, Chairman of the Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce, believes that the processing and use of manure has certain advantages: “We want to draw farmers’ attention to water protection and reducing nutrient leakage. From experience, we can conclude that monitoring of agricultural activities is still necessary in order to eliminate the bad farming practices that unfortunately exist as effectively as possible. The task of “GreenAgri” is to find the best manure management practices and popularize them among both farmers and the public. The conference was the first step in identifying the current situation and creating examples of good practice. After visiting farms and presentations by participants, we can understand that manure is not just a problem – it is an opportunity for sustainable farming.”
The overall goal of the demonstration farm project "GreenAgri", jointly developed by the Association "Farmers' Council" and the Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce, is to reduce nutrient losses from agricultural activities in the Baltic States by introducing innovative and effective methods of organic fertilizer management, while maintaining the current level of production and competitiveness. 10 farms from Latvia and 10 farms from Estonia will participate in the demonstration program.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with the valuable presentations of the conference participants:
1. R. Sormus – Environmentally-friendly Management of Organic Fertilizers in Agriculture
2. M. Dzelzkaleja-Burmistre – Manure Management Requirements in Latvia
3. R. Reisner – Restrictions and Requirements for the use of Organic Fertilizers in Estonia
4. S. Rulle – Soil Fertility and Fertilizer Plans
5. V. Jansons – Monitoring of the Environmental Impact of Manure Handling in Animal Farms
6. A. Astover – Nutrientcyclingin Soil – Focus on N (and P) Balances
8. K. Tamm – Innovative Technologies for Spreading of Manure
9. J. Kazotnieks – Accumulated Experience in Various Projects About Manure Management Practices and Technologies In Latvia
* Latvi Dan Agro – Manure Management
The conference was organized in cooperation with:
The conference was organized within the framework of the project "GreenAgri" CB272 and was
is part-financed by the Central-Baltic Program 2014-2020 and union "Farmers Parliament
