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LV We presented sustainable practices for healthy soil at the Open Food Conference
In 2024, the Open Food Conference was held in Leuven, Belgium, from 11 to 13 March, where an open dialogue on the future of the food system took place. Maira Dzelzkalēja-Burmistre, Deputy Chairwoman of the Board of the Farmers' Assembly, also participated in the conference, presenting sustainable practices for healthy soil.
The Open Food Conference aims to build synergies between policy, science, industry and practice to offer systemic answers as inspiration for future European and national policies.
Sustainable food roots in healthy soils
Why should food companies and food systems thinkers worry about agricultural soils? Isn't it a farmers' issue?
Healthy soils are an integral part of sustainable food systems. Many agricultural soils in Europe are in an unhealthy state and are subject to land degradation processes such as carbon and biodiversity loss, erosion and compaction. Several factors contribute to this, but some market demands, agri-food sector specifications or even consumer preferences lead farmers to use unsustainable soil management practices. The key question is: how could alternative food chains or regulatory systems (e.g. sustainability reporting) contribute to improving soil quality and promoting climate-resilient soils? This session, organised by Flemish scientists involved in the EJP SOIL, explored ways to involve the entire agri-food chain in maintaining and improving soil health.
PRESENTATION : Sustainable practices for a healthy soil / Maira Dzelzkalēja-Burmistre
