From 3 to 5 June 2024, the VIII Scientific Conference of the series “Science and Practice – Agriculture from Different Perspectives” on the topic “Dilemmas of Agriculture in the 21st Century – Opportunities and Threats” was held at the State Academy of Applied Sciences in Chełm. The conference was organised by the Institute of Human Nutrition and Agriculture Sciences at PANS in Chełm and the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation – State Research Institute in Puławy. The event was held under the patronage of the Rector of PANS, Prof. Dr. Hab. Eng. Arkadiusz Tofil, and the Director of IUNG-PIB in Puławy, Prof. Dr. Hab. Mariusz Matyka. The conference was funded by the state budget under the MNiSW program “Excellent Science II – Support for Scientific Conferences.”

The main theme of the event was the dilemmas of the development of Polish agriculture in the 21st century. Dilemmas are problems that require difficult choices between equally important reasons. They occur at various stages of development and at all levels of agricultural management. Their list is constantly growing and is an important indicator for the activities of science and advisory services. The results of scientific research, supported by continuously updated and enriched knowledge and objectified by economic evaluation, should provide significant support in resolving these dilemmas.

The conference was a large-scale event, as evidenced by the numbers: more than 120 people participated, 34 papers and 51 posters were presented, 2 very interesting study trips and a social meeting were organised.

Marta and Agata

Together with Marta Oleszek, as representants from IUNG-PIB, we presented a poster about the Value4Farm project, and we had the chance to distribute a bunch of leaflets to Polish addressees.

Speakers from various research centers participated, including the Institute of Plant Protection-PIB in Poznań, the Institute of Technology and Life Sciences-PIB in Falenty, the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation-PIB in Puławy, the International Academy of Applied Sciences in Łomża, the International University of Logistics and Transport in Wrocław, Nizhyn State University named after Nikolai Gogol in Ukraine, Bydgoszcz University of Technology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Wrocław University of Economics, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, University of Life Sciences in Poznań, University of Life Sciences in Wrocław, University of Agriculture in Kraków, University of Rzeszów, University of Siedlce, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, as well as the Agency for Restructuring and Modernization of Agriculture – Regional Branch in Opole, the National Chemical and Agricultural Station in Warsaw, and the Lublin Agricultural Advisory Center in Końskowola – County Agricultural Advisory Team in Chełm.

Guests of the conference included Zbigniew Ziejewski, Secretary of State from the Ministry of State Assets, Kazimierz Golojuch, Chairman of the Polish-Swiss Parliamentary Group, and Tadeusz Chrzan, Vice Chairman of the Polish-Swiss Parliamentary Group. The conference was opened by His Magnificence, Rector of PANS in Chełm, Prof. Dr. Hab. Arkadiusz Tofil.

Agata Witorożec – Piechnik