Climate Protection Through Biodynamic Agriculture
From scientific research in the DOK study in Therwil, Switzerland, it is known that biodynamics is the most sustainable form of agriculture. This long-term study has been comparing biodynamic (D), organic (O) and conventional (K) agriculture for 40 years and is jointly run and funded by the FiBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture) and Agroscope, the Swiss government centre of excellence for agricultural research.
In these comparisons biodynamic agriculture is distinguished in particular by the highest organic carbon deposits and therefore the best CO2 sequestration, the highest microbial diversity in the soil and the lowest nitrous oxide emissions (N2O). This means that biodynamic agriculture has the potential to protect the climate on the one hand and to preserve soil fertility on the other, even in times of climate change.
The idea is to scientifically prove this potential in practice as well and so make the resilience of biodynamic agriculture more comprehensible to both the wider public and politicians and officials. An initial project outline was developed along with the FiBL and, after being worked through again, was expanded with all the important aspects of sustainability. Based on the analysis of soil quality and carbon reserves, the project covers a whole-farm sustainability
assessment, an economic and environmental impact analysis and a synthesis with the sociopolitical implications.
The project involves high costs. We therefore need a risk assessment with a subsequent review of the project design. A preliminary project with workshops will clarify whether the SMART analysis – Sustainability Monitoring and Assessment RouTine – is suitable for this project. Initial assessments are encouraging. The project will take time, but we will persevere.
Ueli Hurter/ Susanna Küffer Heer