XXX Jubilee International Scientific Conference

At the Institute of Technology and Life Sciences – State Research Institute, the XXX Jubilee International Scientific Conference took place under the patronage of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Czesław Siekierski, titled Problems of Sustainable Agriculture, Protection of Rural Areas, Water Resources, and the Environment.

Conference topics – challenges and innovative solutions in agriculture

As part of the conference program, the following topics were presented:

• Innovative technological solutions for sustainable and efficient agricultural production, including animal husbandry, renewable energy sources (RES), and the automation of work in the agri-food sector;
• Circular economy with environmental protection considerations, including combating climate change;
• Management of natural resources, soil, and nature conservation;
• Water and sewage management, waste management, and technical infrastructure in rural areas, including water supply for agricultural production centers;
• Water protection and ecology, water pollution, and its impact on biodiversity.

Lectures and field workshops

On September 16, 2024, plenary lectures on water management in rural areas and its protection were held. The conference participants then took part in field workshops as part of the AKIS initiative:

• The Science in Practice workshop at the ITP-PIB Experimental Station in Falenty focused on methods to reduce the negative impact of agriculture on the environment, particularly regarding ammonia emissions, greenhouse gases, and odors. The workshop was led by Dr. Eng. Kamila Mazur and Dr. Eng. Kinga Borek (ITP-PIB).
• Biodiversity in the Context of Environmental Conditions at the Raszyn Ponds Nature Reserve, guided by Dr. Eng. Eliza Grabowska and Dr. Eng. Tomasz Horaczek (ITP-PIB).

The field workshops at the ITP-PIB Experimental Station in Falenty focused on methods to reduce the negative impact of agriculture on the environment, particularly on water resources. Practical actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and organic substance runoff into waters, key to preventing eutrophication, were presented.

On the second day of the conference, September 17, 2024, presentations were divided into two thematic sections: Sustainable Agriculture and Energy and RES in Rural Areas. A poster session covering agricultural production, RES, and water topics was also held that day. The final day of the conference, September 18, 2024, continued the Sustainable Agricultural Production section.

To mark the jubilee of the International Scientific Conference, a lecture was delivered summarizing the wide range of research presented over the past decades, as well as outlining new perspectives for scientific and research collaboration, both domestically and internationally.

Water and sewage management as a key topic

Water and sewage management was one of the key topics discussed at the conference. In the context of rural areas, water management is particularly significant, as it is used for agricultural production and supplying local communities. Increasing awareness of water quality and the need to protect water resources is leading to the implementation of new technologies in wastewater treatment, both at the farm level and in larger municipal installations. Wastewater management and waste utilization, particularly in rural areas, should minimize their environmental impact and enhance the efficiency of agricultural farms.

During the conference, attention was also focused on protecting water from pollution caused by agricultural activities. Artificial fertilizers, pesticides, and agricultural waste pose a threat to water quality and, consequently, to local ecosystems.

Methods to prevent pollution, including rational fertilizer use and promoting techniques that reduce surface runoff, which is the primary means of transporting pollutants into waters, were considered. The impact of water pollution on biodiversity was another important issue. Research findings were presented showing how negative effects on water resources lead to the degradation of habitats for many species. This results in a decrease in biodiversity, which in turn affects ecosystem stability.

During the lecture sessions, particular emphasis was placed on the importance of effective water management in rural areas, which are especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, such as droughts and flash floods.

Lectures addressed methods for rationalizing water use, both in terms of irrigation and domestic consumption. Retention, the capturing and storing of rainwater to minimize the effects of dry periods, was also highlighted as a crucial aspect.

The XXX International Scientific Conference was attended by 80 participants from Poland and abroad. Forty-five presentations were delivered in both Polish and English. A monograph on the issues of sustainable agriculture, including RES and biodiversity protection in rural areas, will be published based on the submitted papers from the XXX International Scientific Conference.

The substantive and financial partner of the XXX International Scientific Conference was the National Agricultural Support Center. The organization of the conference was also made possible thanks to:

• The Agricultural Social Insurance Fund;
• The Department of Renewable Energy Engineering at the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin;
• The International Academy of Applied Sciences in Łomża.