The event is Borgeby fältdagar (field days), one of Sweden’s largest agricultural fairs for farmers, advisors, industry representatives and anyone with the slightest interest in crop cultivation. It is an ideal hunting ground for researchers looking to engage with agriculture professionals. Three researchers from LUCSUS set up shop at this year's gathering, each with a project connected to the fair's farming focus.
Sara Brogaard and Emma Johansson came to conduct interviews for AgroDrive. The project contributes to the Swedish food chain’s transition to becoming fossil-free by 2050. It seeks to understand farmers’ attitudes toward the introduction of renewable energy sources into supply chains. One part of the project involved farmer-generated visions of the future for fossil-free energy in agriculture, which were aggregated into five scenarios. Visitors to Lund University’s exhibition stand were then asked to vote on them.
Johansson also gathered data for a study on farmers’ perspectives on using soils as a carbon sink. Carbon farming is gaining traction as a way for the agricultural sector to reach net-zero emissions targets. But effectiveness depends on farmers’ willingness and capacity to change everyday practices. Johansson and Elina Andersson are identifying incentives and barriers for farmers to engage in carbon farming.
“Many farmers are affected by climate change and want to contribute to climate action”, Andersson says. “At the same time, farming profitability is often low, and uncertainty about the outcomes of carbon farming practices can make farmers hesitant to change approaches or take on new risk. Many also feel they already carry significant responsibility for food production and sustainability efforts that often go unrecognised, while facing substantial administrative burdens. As a result, there is often scepticism toward additional regulations or requirements unless accompanied by meaningful support.”
Andersson and several researchers from other departments at Lund University introduced visitors to the PERENNIAL project, which investigates the plausibility of a “perennial revolution” in agriculture. The project examines whether shifting from annual to perennial grain crops could form the basis for food production. It is currently studying the potential of Kernza, a perennial wheat grass, and offered visitors the opportunity to taste bread baked from the grain. This provided a starting point for conversations about the future of agriculture and how new crops might contribute to more sustainable food systems.
