Konzept für "Forschungswerkstätten im Ackerbau"

Cropping systems in Germany are facing major challenges (e. g. reduction of pesticides, nutrient surpluses, loss of biodiversity) and therefore need to be extensively developed further in order to be able to produce food efficiently and sustainably in the future. Numerous elements that can contribute to solving the problems have been scientifically tested and are already being discussed (e. g. further crop rotations, mechanical weed control, digital technologies/site-specific management). However, they have not yet been properly combined and tested in practicable and economically viable overall concepts. There are already numerous approaches to transferring research results into practice. However, many of these approaches focus on the demonstration of new practices. However, this is not expected to be sufficient to achieve the necessary adjustments. Therefore, in this working paper an overall concept for the further development of cropping systems in participatory research networks is presented. The concept was developed based on previous experiences in similar networks and interviews with experts. Seven to eight farmers form the core of the envisaged regional research workshops together with the (regional) coordination, which organises and structures the work. In addition, advisors, scientists and other experts are involved in the work. The participants identify the specific challenges on their sites and jointly develop ideas for solutions. Subsequently, particularly promising solution ideas are integrated into the cropping systems of the farms to test them on practical fields. The trials are carried out on a practical scale and not as scientific small-plot trials. To be able to generate a broad data base for the adapted production systems, they are implemented on several fields of the participating farms. Furthermore, the developed cultivation systems developed will be evaluated and adapted over time based on the gained experience. Therefore, the cropping systems are continuously evaluated and improved in the research workshops. Challenges and solutions in arable farming systems are often site-specific. Therefore, research workshops should be established at several sites. To avoid administrative and scientific duplication of work, supra-regional coordination is advisable. This can also promote the exchange and networking of the individual research workshops and provide impulses for the further development of farming systems. A prerequisite for the establishment of such participatory research networks is the further development of research funding for such projects. The main need for adaptation is the duration, which should be in the order of ten years, as well as the possibility of being able to call up funding flexibly. Furthermore, the work of the farmers has to be adequately protected for the economic and production-related risk of the modified cropping systems. Compared to previous demonstration networks, risk protection is of greater importance because the amount of land needed to test adapted farming systems is comparatively large. The fairest way to calculate the necessary compensation payments is ex-post. The fairest way to calculate the necessary compensation payments is ex-post.