IFKA team participated in a workshop about „Agriculture and climate change – Possibilities to reduce agricultural emissions” organized by CEEweb and EUKI (European Climate Initiative) in Budapest, Hungary on 30 January 2020. The event was a great opportunity to get more information about mitigation and adaptation practices in agriculture in general and to get familiar with specific cases in Hungary, current policy development process and good practices.

After a welcome speech representative of Sopron University demonstrated the main effects of climate change in agro-food sector such as higher crop turnover, worsening crop safety, the appearance of new pests, increased chemical content and reduced nutrient content of foodstuffs and most importantly moving away from stable and adaptable natural systems. Agroforestry as a sustainable land use practice was presented through theory and practical examples, it was also demonstrated how it can increase the soil’s nutrient content by absorbing carbon-dioxide from the air.

Thereafter, participants heard an impressive presentation in the topic of climate and future agriculture.  A representative of National University of Public Service shared his perception and real-life experience as a farmer on those agro-ecological practices which can support the agricultural sustainability, especially cover crops, reduced tillage and soil conservation.

The Deputy State Secretary for agricultural economy at the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture, Dr.  Anikó Juhász demonstrated details on agricultural emission reduction in Hungary and the future common agricultural policy (CAP) issued by European Commission.

After that, during an interactive session participants had an opportunity to react to the presentations, discuss the possibilities, solutions, obstacles on how the national and European agricultural sector can become low-carbon. The main findings were the legislation gaps, problem of the current system’s  elements and the lack of sufficient funding. Involvement of more sectoral representatives and decision-makers to this kind of constructive discussion forums and the creation of a well-functioning cluster system would be necessary.

This latter one is in line with the scope of Danube S3 Cluster project proving that the addressed issues and the possible results within the project could provide solutions to real challenges of the Agro-food sector.