FELD 01/2022

Sustainable

Sustainable intensification Sustainable intensification »A great deal can be achieved through exchange and learning effects«, concludes Meike Weltin. In order to better transfer the necessary experience-based knowledge between individual farms, but also between research and agriculture, the two scientists call for increased support and expansion of exchange formats, experimental regions and landscape laboratories. »A lively exchange of experiences, which is adapted to the respective context, can considerably lower adoption barriers«, explains Annette Piorr. Text: Heike Kampe There are many innovative, entrepreneurial farmers who build new networks and are ready for change. ANNETTE PIORR Dr. Annette Piorr is leading the working group »Land Use Decisions in the Spatial and System Context« in Research Area 3 »Agricultural Landscape Systems« at ZALF. Dr. Meike Weltin was a member of the same working group until January 2020 where she completed her PhD. She now works as advisor at the Federal Chancellery. SUSTAINABILITY IS CONTAGIOUS However, decision support regarding sustainable intensification often seems to come from the neighbour: »We have observed a so-called ›zip code effect‹«, Meike Weltin describes. Where certain measures, such as conservation tillage or undersowing for weed control, had already been implemented, they locally occurred more frequently. Neighbouring farms were inspired by the successful experiences of their colleagues. www.zalf.de/feld Video Clip 28 29