History of the Walloon Agricultural Research Centre
Historic
Founding of the « State Laboratories »
This was the first name given to CRA-W. At the time, these laboratories comprised 21 agricultural stations spread across Belgium.
Arthur Petermann was the first director of the Gembloux Agricultural Station
His works on fertilisers, and particularly phosphate fertilisers, were pivotal, in particular in terms of the legislation on their commercialisation.
Founding of the Dairy Station
Maurice Henseval the first director of the Dairy Station, from 1901 to 1904. He distinguished himself through his research in microbiology applied to dairy.
Founding of new stations: Rural engineering, Phytopathology, Agricultural Entomology and Applied Zoology, Plant Improvement
An eminent scientist, Emile Marchal ran the State Phytopathology Station for 25 years. He distinguished himself through his dedication to botanical studies in general and plant diseases in particular.
1913
Founding of the Forest Research Station
Founding of the Research Station for the Improvement of Potato Crops in the Upper Ardennes
The decision was taken to implement the station specifically dedicated to potato crops in the south of the country, in the heights. The altitude of this region is less conducive to the development of disease for this vegetable. Its mission would then be extended to the various crops grown in the Ardennes and renamed ‘Upper Belgium’ forty years later.
Founding of the Phytopharmacy and Fruit and Horticultural Plant Improvement Stations
Founding of the Phytotechnics Station, directed by Léon Lacroix
The Phytotechnics Station was the 12th research station to be founded in Gembloux. The scientist Léon Lacroix managed it from 1951 to 1973.