Conservation agriculture (CA) has been advocated by many scientists as the solution for sustainable agricultural production. Indeed, finding of many research project support it and it can also be seen at Poster Sessions of Tropentag2014, where successful examples were given: applying no-tillage farming had a positive influence for Acrisols in Brazil, mulching application in Kenya provided better water retention or combination of technics increased yields in Mexico. However, a case study from R. Romero-Perezgrovas says, that on 6% of increase in soil fertility on the one hand, farmer would get 50% weeds in his field. (Continue...)

"No need for rocket efforts to implement the accumulated knowledge”, Christel Weller-Monongua opens the keynote presentation session of Tropentag 2014 with her cogent statement. Christel has worked in the development cooperation field for over 25 years now and she is convinced that there is no need for the research, if the results don't reach the farmers. ( Continue . . . )

"There is enough knowledge existent already. It is a time to deliver this to users.” - this is a conclusion that we got to during the interview with Jose.

In the oral presentation session Resources within the Rural-Urban Continuum number of researchers prove that overwhelming concern about natural area and biodiversity protection can cause economic and social problems: agroforestry in Indonesia is more beneficial, than solely forest; use of wetlands for crop production in East Africa does not harm plant diversity; partial replacement of mangrove forest in Myanmar with rice farms is economically more viable, than forest alone; pastures in Caucasus Region are prioritized higher, than National Parks. see more

"Urban agriculture is only a complementary to the rural agriculture, however it is necessary for food and agriculture literacy" - states Dr. Joe Nasr. In his opinion, Urban Agriculture will remain only as an additional food supplier with its main function of supporting biodiversity of species, rather than be a main food source. He has worked on the topic of Urban Agriculture for over 2 decades and described major challenges and alternatives to the agro-industrial system in his leading presentation of the Oral Presentation Session "Development within the Rural-urban Continuum". more

It is known that by 2050 more than 70% of the population will live in the cities. Urban agriculture offers a feasible solution to the food supply challenge. Selection of 5 movies gathered and presented by Teresa Beck offered visitors an insight to ongoing urban and peri-urban agricultural projects around the World. Morning session of Tropentag 2013 Film Festival provides visitors with a solution for conflict between growing urbanization rate and ever-growing need in food production. Brief content of the movies:see the content