There’s no shortage of opinions when it comes to the future of agriculture. Across Europe and beyond, the debate is often framed as a clash of philosophies: on one side, the chemical-intensive, efficiency-maximising model of conventional farming; on the other, the organic, regenerative, agroecological movements fighting to restore balance and sustainability.
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Resilience comes first. Not just climate resilience, but social, inspirational and economic resilience too. Can this farm survive the next flood, heatwave, or price shock? Can the farmer earn a dignified income? Can the next generation imagine themselves thriving in this profession?
Next, sufficiency. Are we producing enough, without over-extracting from people or planet? Are we staying within planetary boundaries while meeting social expectations, such as fair wages and clean water? Do we respect local cultures and values?
Only once these two are secured should we talk about efficiency: how we deliver what’s needed with precision, innovation, and as little waste as possible.