Upcoming event Thesis presentation March 2nd 2026 Ottignies-Louvain-la-NeuveTransition pathwaysPhD Defence Anton RieraThis PhD reflects on the concept of scale in the context of food system transitions. It gathers a series of research outputs on the livestock transition in Belgium, researched at different scales and following the different steps of a transition cycle. Transition pathways Production systems Protein cropsEggs sectorDairy sectorBeef meat sectorPig meat sectorPoultry meat sectorMeadows and pastureAgricultural land managementLand use planningProtein transitionClimate changeSustainability indicatorsProspective scenariosEnvironmental footprintPolicy recommendationsParticipatory approachFlandersWalloniaBelgium
Publication of December 20th 2024 CommunicationSubscribe to our newsletterOur latest newsletter is out! Published quarterly, it summarises the main publications and provides information on new research and the dynamics of our research team.
Publication of January 27th 2026 Research articleProduction systemsDigging deeper: assessing soil quality in a diversity of conservation agriculture practicesConservation Agriculture (CA) aims to enable sustainable crop production and improve soil quality. However, the three CA principles can be implemented in very different ways. Is soil quality consistent across all CA fields? Production systems RotationsOrganic farmingConservation agricultureEnvironmental footprintWallonia
Past event Workshop December 9th 2025 UccleTransition pathwaysScience for Climate Workshop on agri-food systemsScience for Climate Action Workshop PATHWAYS TO CLIMATE RESILIENT AGRI-FOOD SYSTEMS IN BELGIUM Transition pathways Food value chains Protein cropsDairy sectorBeef meat sectorPig meat sectorPoultry meat sectorFlandersBelgiumEurope
Past event Thesis presentation October 30th 2025 Ottignies-Louvain-la-NeuveTransition pathwaysPhD Defence Océane Duluins on the Protein TransitionThis dissertation examines the concept of the protein transition, reconsidering the role of animal proteins within contemporary food systems. Transition pathways Eggs sectorDairy sectorBeef meat sectorPig meat sectorPoultry meat sectorProtein transitionPath dependencyLock-inEurope
Publication of February 2nd 2026 PresentationTransition pathwaysPresentations at Natagriwal’s Scientific Support DayThree members of SYTRA spoke at Natagriwal's annual scientific exchange and support day for advisors, dedicated to the issue of reducing pesticide use and associated risks. Transition pathways Production systems Vegetable sectorFruit sectorCereals sectorProtein cropsPotato sectorBeetroot sectorMeadows and pastureagri-environmentLand use planningRotationsPesticidesInputsCrop diversificationOrganic farmingLeversProspective scenariosWallonia
Past event Thesis presentation October 10th 2025 Louvain-la-NeuveTransition pathwaysPublic thesis defence of Noé VandevoordeThis PhD shares three hands-on tools to cut risks for health and the environment while keeping farms productive. From toxicity indicators to crop rotations and groundwater protection, join us to explore solutions for pesticide reduction. Talk in French, drinks after—all welcome! Transition pathways Production systems Vegetable sectorFruit sectorCereals sectorPotato sectorBeetroot sectorMeadows and pasturegovernanceagri-environmentRotationsPesticidesSustainability indicatorsCrop diversificationOrganic farmingEnvironmental footprintPolicy recommendationsWalloniaEurope
Publication of January 28th 2026 Policy briefProduction systemsPolicy brief – Developing the organic vegetable seed sector in WalloniaTwelve recommendations for developing the production and use of regional seeds in organic market gardening in Wallonia, with a view to resilience, technical development, and economic opportunities. Production systems Vegetable sectorPlant breedingSeedsOrganic farmingLeversPolicy recommendationsWalloniaEurope
Past event Workshop May 26th 2025 Ottignies-Louvain-la-NeuveTransition pathwaysPWRP 3: What transition scenarios could reduce pesticide use and risks in Wallonia?Open workshop discussion on transition scenarios to guide the reduction of pesticide use and associated risks in Walloon agricultural regions and sectors. Transition pathways Production systems Vegetable sectorFruit sectorCereals sectorProtein cropsPotato sectorBeetroot sectorMeadows and pastureLand use planningPesticidesInputsOrganic farmingProspective scenariosParticipatory approachWallonia
Publication of April 30th 2024 ReportFood value chainsLoCoSoy – Developing a soybean value chain in FlandersThis research project investigates the development of an organic soybean value chain in Flanders. Working with actors throughout the chain, it analyses the opportunities and potential barriers. Food value chains Protein cropsProtein transitionInnovationCrop diversificationShort supply chainsOrganic farmingLock-inParticipatory approachFlanders
Past event Workshop April 23rd 2025 PARCEL-Wallonie : training webinarTraining webinar on how to use the PARCEL-Wallonie food footprint simulator. Wallonia
Publication of October 29th 2025 Research articleTransition pathwaysDiversity of agri-environmental governance and potential impacts on environmental performance – a systematic reviewThis study highlights the diversity of Agri-Environmental Schemes (AES) governance across 15 Member States of the EU, and identify governance-related factors influencing AES environmental performance Transition pathways Production systems governanceagri-environmentLiterature reviewEurope
