How can organic farming be effectively promoted in Poland? This central question shaped a series of Science-Policy Interface (SPI) workshops hosted by the University of Warsaw. The events convened a wide array of stakeholders – from government officials and agricultural advisors to producers, NGOs, cooperatives, food retailers, and researchers – to collaboratively explore strategies for scaling up and mainstreaming organic farming across the country.

One of the key challenges identified during the workshops is the lack of cohesion within Poland’s current food system. Specifically, fragmentation across organizational, cultural, and social dimensions hinders effective cooperation and policy implementation, affecting stakeholders from the national level down to local communities. This systemic disconnection poses a significant obstacle to the widespread adoption of organic farming practices and the development of a resilient and sustainable food system.

Among the proposed solutions, the introduction of a new labeling approach designed to promote the use of dark green agri-environmental climate measures (AECM) was discussed. Such a label could help distinguish and reward farmers who go beyond the minimum environmental standards, offering consumers clearer guidance and strengthening market incentives for truly sustainable agricultural practices.

Beyond labeling, broader strategies for strengthening connections among food system actors were explored. Discussions focused on a range of complementary strategies, including the development of educational campaigns to raise public awareness of the benefits of organic farming, as well as the simplification of burdensome and overly complex administrative procedures. Ultimately, the recommendations emphasized the need for both systemic support and grassroots engagement to foster a more integrated, organic-friendly food system in Poland.

To support this vision, the workshop concluded with a set of strategic recommendations to reinforce organic farming in Poland:

• Collaboration on Agricultural Practices: Scientists and public administration should work together to clearly define sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring policy clarity and coherence while avoiding regulatory overlaps.
• Educational Program Development: Joint efforts between researchers and public authorities should focus on creating educational initiatives that highlight the health and environmental benefits of organic farming.
• Certification Scheme Development: Public institutions should cooperate with stakeholder organizations to design and promote transparent, well-funded certification systems aligned with broader agricultural objectives.
• Support the Transition for Farmers: Financial incentives and technical assistance should be made available – in collaboration with stakeholders – to help farmers shift toward organic production methods.

Together, these initiatives represent a multifaceted approach to fostering a more integrated, accessible, and sustainable organic farming sector in Poland.