Bayer Forward Farming: A new concept demonstrating profitable and resource-efficient food production

Bayer CropScience’s most recent contribution to sustainable agriculture is a new concept called “Bayer Forward Farming” demonstrating profitable and resource-efficient production of high-quality food. It is based on the three main pillars of sustainability – economic success, social interaction and environmental compatibility. The concept comprises the development of technologies and techniques that go well beyond compliance requirements, high-level cooperation with key stakeholders such as politicians, national authorities and NGOs, and the provision of information for those who are interested in learning more about sustainable agriculture.

One cornerstone of this program is a growing network of farms across Europe. These “Forward Farms” act as “centres of excellence” demonstrating that sustainable farming is a practical reality. Today, “Forward Farms” exist in Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Poland. “We aim to bring our Forward Farming concept with its combination of productive agriculture and biodiversity to the rest of Europe soon as well,” says Dr. Birgitt Walz-Tylla, Head of Sustainability & Business Stewardship at Bayer CropScience.

Bayer CropScience is convinced that sustainable agriculture requires a holistic approach to strengthening farmers’ livelihoods and conserving natural resources today and in future. “The aim is to improve agricultural production in a sustainable manner, so that the 500 million consumers in the EU have a stable supply of high-quality and affordable food,”adds Walz-Tylla. “But farming is not just about producing our daily food. It is also about profitability and securing farmers’ incomes, because they are important economic players, especially in rural areas. And it is about the responsible management of natural resources such as water, soil and biodiversity.”

Focus on innovative solutions, stewardship measures and biodiversity

“Bayer Forward Farming” enables farmers to further strengthen their competitiveness by promoting Best Management Practices. Bayer CropScience offers a wide range of tools for sustainable agriculture including improved seeds, innovative crop protection products with enhanced safety profiles, optimized biological effectiveness and improved environmental behavior, technical solutions for precision farming and a wide range of services. Its experts help farmers be the best – with local hotlines, online help and guidance, and links to experts on subjects such as water management, application technology or the Phytobac™ system, which allows the retention and microbial degradation of crop protection ingredients in waste water effluents derived from filling, cleaning and washing spray equipment.

As part of its global Product Stewardship Program, Bayer CropScience offers training to encourage the greatest possible care in handling crop protection products and to demonstrate that they can be compatible with environmental safety and biodiversity.

Protecting the biodiversity of our agricultural ecosystems, e.g. by flowering strips, bee hotels or nesting places for birds, is also promoted by “Bayer Forward Farming” through integrated crop management (ICM) and integrated pest management (IPM).

Guidance on Common Agricultural Policy

Bayer CropScience is committed to high standards for human safety and environmental care in European agriculture, based on sustainable, productive, value-added, innovative farming methods. The company has a tangible goal – to help farmers prosper while at the same time meeting the strict new European standards and legislation. To reach this goal, a common agricultural policy is needed that at the same time respects the great diversity of agriculture in Europe.

“Bayer Forward Farming” serves as a platform for dialog on a common agricultural policy that will enable European farmers to face new challenges and further strengthen their competitiveness. Bringing together industry, politics, research and farmers and promoting cooperation along the agri-food chain will help to ensure the transfer of technology, increasing investment in agricultural research and thus fostering knowledge transfer to the field.