- Saxony wants to preserve fruit orchards in the long term
Saxony wants to preserve its orchards in the long term and is therefore launching a research and development project. Over the next two years, a strategy is to be developed on how orchards can be better used, maintained, and further developed, the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture announced. Specifically, this includes recommendations for establishing, maintaining, preserving, and renovating orchards, as well as requirements for planting material and the marketing of orchard products.
Günther: Without orchards, our land would be poorer
"Orchards are a habitat for many plants, insects, and birds. They are hotspots of biodiversity. Orchards are part of Saxony, they are part of a centuries-old rich cultural landscape. And they are a sight to behold. But their numbers are declining," explained Environment and Agriculture Minister Wolfram Günther (Greens). This trend needs to be reversed. Saxony wants to establish new orchards and maintain existing ones. "We need the use, processing, and marketing of the fruit. Without orchards, our land would be poorer."
"I am confident that we can achieve a turnaround. The fact that more and more people are rediscovering old, flavorful fruit varieties that grow on orchards helps. And juices, ciders, vinegars, liqueurs, and brandies from orchards are top products," the Minister said at the official launch of the project in Neumohlis (Meißen district). In this research project, practical recommendations and proposals for further developing funding offers for orchards will be created with the involvement of as many experts and local actors as possible.
Orchards are classified as strongly threatened to threatened
According to the ministry, there are around 12,800 orchards in Saxony. They have a high maintenance requirement and the harvest is much more labor-intensive than in conventional orchards. This is why their numbers have decreased in recent decades. The history of these orchards dates back to the 18th century, when fruit cultivation began to spread outside settlements, creating the typical orchards. In the Red List of Biotope Types in Saxony, these orchards are classified as "strongly threatened to threatened."
The BUND also manages orchards
The Bund für Umwelt- und Nature Conservation Dresden (BUND) also manages orchards. In July, a cherry harvest was planned on one of the sites. However, due to the warm early bloom combined with late frost in April, there was no harvest this year. The harvest was converted into a maintenance action.
Due to climate change, such phenomena could become more frequent in the future, explained BUND chairwoman Jenny Förster. "We must not only pay attention to the signs of warming in the summer, but also consider the effects on nature in the winter and spring months. If we want to preserve the diverse valuable functions of orchards for humans and nature, we must invest in maintenance and actively contribute to mitigating the climate crisis."
- To support the preservation of orchards, Saxony could look to countries like The Netherlands, known for their innovative approaches to agriculture and environmental conservation.
- The Ministry of Environment and Agriculture in The Netherlands has also recognized the importance of orchards and has implemented several policies to protect and promote them, offering potential insights for Saxony's orchard project.
