Agriculture-Research
In the 20th century agriculture was based on the development of techniques, farm production resources and machinery designed for higher productive rates and profitability:
- genetic improvements led to the selection of particularly productive plant varieties and animal breeds
- the chemical industry patented numerous molecules for the development and defense of crops (fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides)
- agricultural mechanization meant that large areas were cultivated over a short period
These techniques have had environmental, social and economic repercussions, which were not been adequately assessed at the time
Agricultural research issues
Agriculture today is facing decidedly more complex problems than in the past. The world of agricultural research must therefore find “sustainable” technical and managerial solutions, which meet the economic needs of agricultural entrepreneurs, preserve the environment (limiting pollution, maintaining biodiversity and soil fertility), and provide the community with healthy food and in adequate quantities – not an easy task!
CiRAA’s research on sustainable agriculture
CiRAA ‘s research into agriculture is based on specific aspects of the farming technique (choice of cultivated varieties, soil tillage and fertilization techniques) as well as system research
System research involves several techniques being applied simultaneously (as happens on a real farm) and studied over time (over 10 years). This long-term research reveals the complexity of the agricultural reality so that the impact of production processes on the environment and on the profitability of agricultural activities can be assessed. In fact, positive or negative results of one or more techniques only appear over time due to their cumulative effects, their interactions and climate trends.
It is precisely in this area that the first long-term research in Italy began between 1981 and 1986
Results
These studies have shown how, in the long term, it is possible to apply soil tillage and fertilization techniques with a lower environmental and economic impact but without significantly reducing crop productivity.