We appreciate it when it cools us down on sweltering summer days, because it dries our washing quickly, and for the renewable energy it produces by powering wind farms.

We are talking about wind, which is celebrated on 15 June with Global Wind Day, an annual event dedicated to wind power. We are taking advantage of this opportunity to think about the importance of this natural element in agriculture.

Its ability to carry pollen and spores and to help pollinating insects move around more easily makes it a valuable ally in pollination, a vital process for the reproduction of plants, which is behind the conservation of biodiversity, the survival of many species and the possibility of producing many of the foods we eat. Wind also serves as natural protection against several parasites that attack plants. It also helps water particles in the air move around, which help the growth of lush vegetation when they land on leaves and soil.

But while in some respects wind is a friend of farming, in other respects it can be a threat. While it can carry pollen, it can also carry spores of fungal diseases and help infect healthy plants. As well as pollinators, it also moves insect pests, which could put crops in danger. When particularly strong, wind can also break tree branches and uproot them, causing serious damage to harvests. However, this damage can at least be partly prevented and reduced through regular pruning and by using windbreak panels.