Assumptions of the EGD in agriculture – various strategies, similar activities
From a practical perspective, meeting the requirements of both EGD strategies (from farm to fork and for biodiversity) involves taking similar actions. This is beneficial for farmers. What are the main assumptions of these strategies?

"From field to table"
The first of these means creating a fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly food system through, for example, organic farming or precision farming. Excess nutrients (i.e., excessive fertilization) contribute to water, soil, and air pollution, directly affecting biodiversity reduction and global warming. For this reason, the EU places great emphasis on the rationalization of fertilizer management in agriculture. Greening agriculture, including reducing nutrient losses by at least 50% while preventing the deterioration of soil fertility, means reducing the use of fertilizers by at least 20%.

Up to 40% of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget for 2021-2027 is allocated to climate and environmental protection, impacting national strategic plans. These plans should implement the farm-to-fork strategy by incentivizing farmers for improved environmental and climate performance, including soil carbon management and storage, and enhanced nutrient management to improve water quality and reduce emissions.

Biodiversity strategy
The second strategy mandates that a minimum of 10% of agricultural land must feature high-diversity landscape elements, such as buffer zones (regardless of crop rotation), fallows, hedges, non-productive trees, and ponds. What are the benefits of this? These agricultural non-use areas absorb carbon dioxide, prevent erosion and soil depletion, filter air and water, and positively impact climate change adaptation.

Enhanced "green architecture" in the EU CAP
Pillar I of the CAP encompasses requirements and incentives for farmers aimed at mitigating environmental degradation. The conditionality system incorporates standards for maintaining good agricultural conditions aligned with environmental protection, known as GAEC standards. GAEC-7, in particular, mandates CAP beneficiaries to maintain plant cover during the sensitive period from November 1 to February 15. Soil protection on arable land may include:

- mulch
- crop residues
- stubble
- winter crops
- and in the inter-rows – perennial plants with ground cover or mulch.

Pillar 1 of the CAP, in addition to setting requirements, also offers support for farmers implementing eco-programs (or eco-schemes). The use of simplified tillage, which counteracts soil drying and erosion and helps maintain its natural structure, is associated with financial benefits.
- supplementary payment to basic income support
- reimbursement for some or all of the additional costs incurred or lost income

Simplified cultivation includes, among others, no-plough conservation cultivation with mulching, as well as strip and zero tillage.

How to implement the assumptions of the EGD in agriculture?
How can Polish farms achieve the EGD goals? By introducing innovations, including technological advancements, which will increase the share of ecological and precision farming, as well as simplify cultivation practices. Properly conducted stubble cultivation, for instance, contributes to humus production and improves soil fertility. Farms engaged in both farming and livestock breeding should implement closed circulation solutions, such as using manure, slurry, and liquid manure to fertilize fields. Increasing farm self-sufficiency aligns perfectly with EGD objectives.

Another action promoted by the EGD strategies is the pursuit of zero pollution levels for a non-toxic environment. Agriculture creates environmental pressure in this field (literally and figuratively), related to the use of industrial plant protection products. Any measures that limit the use of mineral fertilizers or pesticides allow for the achievement of EU goals.

The objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector by 90% by 2050, known as intelligent mobility, is also significant. Electric agricultural machines are not yet available, particularly for large farms, although prototypes of machines for tasks requiring low power and powered by alternative energy sources are emerging, such as electric tractors for orchard cultivation. This does not mean that farmers cannot make improvements. It is advisable to minimize the number of field passes by using a combination of aggregates or reduced tillage, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants released into the atmosphere.

What challenges confront Polish agriculture within the context of EGD?
The EGD projects that 25% of agricultural land in the EU will be dedicated to organic farming. Although this target has been significantly relaxed for Polish farms, it remains an ambitious goal. The Polish CAP strategic plan, approved by the European Commission for 2023-2027, anticipates that organic farms will constitute 7% of agricultural land. Farmers interested in transitioning to this model can expect higher subsidies.

European Green Deal strategy and agriculture – summary
The implementation of the European Green Deal assumptions presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Unfortunately, for Polish farmers, the latter is likely to dominate in the near future. Changing perspectives on the environment and climate is crucial for modernizing farms and agricultural practices. However, when the long-term benefits of environmental protection and biodiversity outweigh the regret of incurring costs, the Green Deal's implementation will become natural and desirable.