Analysis of the structure of the acreage of the European Union countries with the concept of sustainable agriculture. Germany

Abstract

This article is devoted to the analysis of the impact of changes in the structure of acreage and the land use system on the sustainability of agriculture in Germany. It is established that the land management system in Germany is decentralized, with regional and local authorities responsible for land issues. According to the German Law on Land Management, land plots must be used taking into account environmental, economic and social needs. This means that land use must be sustainable and meet the needs of local communities and ecosystems. Germany has historically been one of the largest markets for organic products. As of 2020, the share of land under organic farming in the country is 9.6% (1592.7 thousand hectares). In 2001–2020, the area of land under organic farming increased by 56.8%. In general, the land management system in Germany is sustainable and focused on meeting environmental, economic and social needs. The country is actively taking measures to preserve and improve soil quality, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, preserve biodiversity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Germany is also actively developing organic farming and precision farming, which makes it possible to use land resources more efficiently and reduce the negative impact on the environment. However, despite all these measures, the analysis of the reports of the German Government, the OECD and the FAO shows that the country still has problems with pollution of water resources, biocenoses and a decrease in soil fertility.