From Problems to Solutions: Discussing the Future of Resilient Crop Production

On 15 October 2026, the BIO-CROP project held an open discussion, “From Problems to Solutions: How to Build More Resilient Crop Production?”, during the international AgroEco 2026 conference at the Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Agriculture Academy. The event brought together 18 farmers, scientists, advisors, and representatives of business, the public sector and agricultural organisations.

After an opening by Dr J. Balandaitė and a welcome from Assoc. Prof. Dr A. Adamavičienė, Dean of the Faculty of Agronomy, project leader Prof. Dr K. Romaneckas presented BIO-CROP’s goals. He highlighted how greater plant diversity, multi-species cropping and innovative cultivation technologies can make agroecosystems more sustainable and climate-resilient.

Living Labs in practice

Dr Rita Lankauskienė, head of the LIRA Living Lab at the Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences, shared the principles and practical experience of Living Labs, a key part of BIO-CROP. Living Labs allow scientists, farmers, businesses and public bodies to develop solutions together and test them in real conditions.

Research and survey results

PhD student K. Jackevičienė (supervisor Assoc. Prof. Dr A. Sinkevičienė) presented research at the VMU Botanical Garden on maize grown with medicinal aromatic plants. Dr Balandaitė shared results of the BIO-CROP farmer survey, which showed interest in crop diversification and cooperation.

Key challenges raised

In the open discussion, participants pointed to:

• climate change, soil degradation and biodiversity loss;
• balancing farm profitability with long-term protection of natural resources;
• rising production costs and risks from global markets and geopolitics;
• the need for closer cooperation between science and practice, so research reaches farmers and reflects their real needs.

BIO-CROP’s upcoming Living Labs activities are designed to support exactly this kind of cooperation.

The discussion brought different experiences and perspectives together and laid the groundwork for continued dialogue and shared solutions.

In Lithuania, the project activities are funded by the Research Council of Lithuania. Project No. LMT – S-Agroecology 26-1.