The Danish entrepreneurs’ visit to the SGGW Wilanów-Obory Agricultural Experimental Station
Climate-friendly agriculture
On the occasion of the first international visit of His Majesty King Frederick X of Denmark to Poland, representatives of the Danish agri-food sector and the Ministers of Agriculture of Denmark and Poland visited the Wilanów-Obory Agricultural Experimental Station (RZD). The Danish entrepreneurs are interested in collaborating with Poland and the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) on the biogas market and the reduction of the negative effects of livestock breeding on the environment.
Modern agriculture is based on green farms or those practicing so-called regenerative agriculture, in which their production does not harm the environment or leave a negative carbon footprint. We want to achieve this in the SGGW Experimental Stations, which are being constantly modernized. We have already implemented solutions used in precision agriculture in this particular location. To start with, we have installed GPS tracking devices on our tractors and other farming equipment. Our next goal is to invest in a biogas plant and smart farm solutions that will allow us to achieve a negative carbon footprint and economically optimize production. We aim to change our traditional agriculture to climate-friendly agriculture, overcoming agronomic challenges and creating environmentally friendly livestock production, said prof. dr hab. Michał Zasada, the SGGW Rector during the meeting with Danish entrepreneurs at Wilanów Obory Experimental Station.
Professor Zasada emphasized that the involvement of SGGW scientists in the specific research projects demonstrates how the university is active in its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as in the struggle against climate change through biofuel production and consumption.
In turn, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark Jakob Jensen highlighted the importance of transforming the agricultural industry based on research and exchange of experience between Denmark and Poland. Such an approach will help increase productivity while preserving the environment.
Adam Nowak, the Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, made a point in his speech that reducing greenhouse gas emissions and climate change through biofuel production and use is a common goal of sustainable agriculture development programmes in Poland, the EU, and worldwide. As an essential element of the European Green Deal, it provides a roadmap to increase resource efficiency by moving towards a clean, closed-loop economy, restoring biodiversity, and reducing pollution.
I am grateful that we can meet on such an occasion at the SGGW Wilanów-Obory Experimental Station. Only by working together can we achieve the sustainable development goals, so let us turn goals into action and build a sustainable, climate-neutral and resource-efficient future for this and future generations, Minister Agam Nowak said.
Danish entrepreneurs visiting the SGGW Agricultural Experimental Station took part in two thematic sessions.
The ‘Climate-friendly agriculture’ session was chaired by Jan Laustsen, Director of the Danish Agriculture and Food Council. Then, dr Marcin Gołębiewski, prof. SGGW, Head of the Institute of Animal Sciences, presented a short speech concerning the challenges faced by Polish agriculture in the transition to climate-friendly animal production. During the parallel session on biogas, chaired by Leif Nielsen, Director of the Danish Food and Drink Federation, a presentation on biogas production and the implementation of scientific research at RZD Wilanów-Obory were demonstrated. Then, some short speeches were given by prof. dr hab. Aleksander Lisowski, Department of Biosystems Engineering, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, SGGW, and Łukasz Zaniuk, Director of the SGGW Wilanów-Obory Agricultural Experimental Station.