TERRAVITA Operational Group: Circular solutions for crops using modified biochar, biodegradable films and natural extracts of aromatic plants

Through the R1-Valorization of Pruning and Rice Waste into Biochar project, TERRAVITA aims to develop a practical solution for valorizing pruning waste and rice straw by transforming it into biochar, a material with high agronomic value. To achieve this, an efficient system for collecting, tracking, and conditioning the waste (shredding, drying, and homogenization) will be designed, optimizing logistics from the field to the processing facility. Using technologies such as pyrolysis and/or gasification, biochars of controlled quality will be obtained, adapted to the type of waste and processing conditions. For farmers, this solution will allow them to transform problematic waste into a useful resource, reducing management costs and avoiding burning in the field. Biochar will improve soil fertility, increase water and nutrient retention, and reduce fertilizer use. Furthermore, it will open up local business opportunities related to biochar production and use, promoting more sustainable and profitable agriculture.

Through the R2 project, "Extracting Essential Oils from Aromatic Herbs," TERRAVITA will demonstrate the viability of cultivating aromatic herbs with biochar and transforming them into essential oils. It will be shown that biochar, applied at different doses, improves germination and plant development, increasing water retention and resistance to water stress. Furthermore, extraction processes will be optimized to maximize the yield and quality of the essential oil, defining efficient operating conditions and separation methods, and ensuring a product fully compliant with agricultural legislation regarding safety, the environment, and public health. For farmers, this solution will allow them to diversify their crops towards more profitable aromatic species, reducing water consumption and improving productivity. On the one hand, the use of biochar will decrease inputs and increase crop resilience, while the extraction of essential oils will open new business opportunities, enabling the production of high-value market products and reducing the use of phytotoxic fertilizers.

TERRAVITA, in its third phase, will develop an improved/functionalized biochar capable of retaining more water and providing nutrients to the soil in a controlled manner. Through specific treatments, its capacity to store water and essential nutrients (N, P, K) will be increased, acting as a soil amendment. Soil characterization trials will confirm reduced water use during cultivation and a controlled release of nutrients, minimizing losses due to leaching. Furthermore, its production will be validated at a pilot scale, ensuring its technical viability for real-world field use. For farmers, this modified biochar will allow for reduced irrigation and fertilizer use, lowering costs and improving crop efficiency. It will also increase drought resistance and improve long-term soil quality. Its application is simple and compatible with standard practices, offering a sustainable solution that will increase productivity and promote more profitable and resilient agriculture.

The implementation of project R4 will enable the development of a biodegradable mulch film with an antifungal effect, incorporating essential oils from aromatic plants into sustainable plastic materials. These active compounds will be stabilized and integrated into the biopolymer, allowing for their controlled release during field use. Trials will demonstrate that the film inhibits fungal growth, maintaining its effectiveness over time. Furthermore, its processing and manufacturing will be validated on an industrial scale using conventional technologies, guaranteeing its practical application in agriculture. For farmers, this film will reduce the occurrence of fungal diseases, decreasing the need for phytosanitary treatments and associated costs. Being biodegradable, it will eliminate the need for plastic waste disposal and management after the growing season. Its use will improve crop health, increase yields, and simplify agricultural tasks, providing an innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective solution.

Through the R5 project, TERRAVITA will validate the use of biochar, essential oils, and biodegradable film in crops such as melons and aromatic plants under real-world conditions. The results will demonstrate improved yields, greater resistance to fungal diseases, and positive effects on soil fertility and microbiota. Furthermore, these solutions will be shown to reduce environmental impact compared to conventional alternatives such as peat, synthetic pesticides, and agricultural plastics, promoting a circular economy and sustainability. For farmers, these solutions will allow them to produce more with less impact, reducing costs for fertilizers, water, and pesticides, improving soil health and crop quality, and increasing market value. They will also facilitate compliance with environmental regulations and open up opportunities in the agricultural market through direct practical application and a viable transition to more profitable, efficient, and environmentally friendly agriculture.

TERRAVITA will demonstrate the economic viability of the developed solutions (biochar and essential oils) by evaluating their production at scale and their impact on melon cultivation in the R6 region. These analyses will demonstrate that the use of biochar reduces costs associated with fertilizers, water, and treatments, while improving crop yield and quality. Likewise, the production of essential oils as biopesticides will be validated as a competitive solution, with the potential to reduce pesticide expenses and improve the product's commercial value. For farmers, these solutions will represent a profitable investment in the short and medium term, with savings on inputs and increased productivity. This will improve profit margins per hectare and reduce dependence on external products. Furthermore, it will offer the opportunity to diversify income through new products and more sustainable business models, facilitating decision-making based on real economic data.

In RD1, TERRAVITA will create clear and visually appealing promotional materials to showcase its sustainable agriculture solutions. Printed and digital materials (brochures, posters, roll-up banners, signs, a website, and a video) will be designed to explain the advantages of biochar, essential oils, and biodegradable film in a straightforward manner, targeting professionals in the agricultural and agri-food sectors nationwide. For farmers and cooperatives, this material will provide easy access to practical and understandable information on new technologies that can improve productivity, reduce costs, and make farming more sustainable. It will showcase use cases, real benefits, and application opportunities, helping them make informed decisions. Furthermore, its availability in both in-person and online formats will ensure quick and direct access to innovative solutions tailored to the sector's needs.

TERRAVITA will promote its results at key national agricultural and environmental events within the RD2 region. This will be achieved through participation in trade fairs, presentations, and roundtables, as well as information booths at events like Agricultural Film and Expo Agritech. This will allow consortium members to directly connect with agricultural professionals and present innovative solutions such as biochar, essential oils, and biodegradable film. Furthermore, participation in trade fairs like Conama, Ecofira, and Equiplast will enhance the project's visibility through promotional materials. For farmers and cooperatives, these events will provide firsthand access to technologies applicable in the field, allow for expert consultations, and enable comparison of real-world solutions. This will facilitate access to innovations that can improve productivity, reduce costs, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Additionally, the event will offer opportunities to network with suppliers and explore new business models, fostering the adoption of more sustainable and competitive practices in the agricultural sector.

TERRAVITA will continuously disseminate its results through the corporate tools of participating entities, including websites, blogs, newsletters, social media, and specialized magazines, as well as through signage at facilities within the RD3 project area. This strategy will keep professionals in the agricultural and agri-food sectors informed about the advances and benefits of biochar, essential oils, and biodegradable film, with clear, accessible, and bilingual content. For farmers and cooperatives, this dissemination will facilitate quick and constant access to useful information on new solutions that can improve productivity and reduce costs. It will allow them to stay up-to-date on innovations applicable in the field, learn about real-world experiences, and anticipate market opportunities. Furthermore, it will strengthen connections within the sector and promote the gradual adoption of more efficient and sustainable practices.

TERRAVITA will communicate its progress and results through the media, with two press releases (one at the start and one for final results), interviews on mainstream radio, and the publication of technical articles in accordance with Royal Decree 4. These actions will allow for the clear and accessible dissemination of the developed solutions—biochar, essential oils, and biodegradable film—to a broad audience, including more than 2,000 media outlets, reinforcing its reach both nationally and internationally. For farmers and professionals in the sector, this dissemination will bring visibility and credibility to new agricultural solutions, showcasing their benefits in a proven and understandable way. It will facilitate learning about real-world success stories, understanding the value of these technologies, and discovering new application opportunities. Furthermore, it will contribute to building trust in innovation and accelerating the adoption of more sustainable, efficient, and profitable practices in the agricultural sector.

The TERRAVITA project will facilitate the direct transfer of results to the agricultural sector through participation in specialized events and the development of a best practices manual within the framework of Royal Decree 5. These actions will allow for the clear and practical sharing of how to apply biochar, essential oils, and biodegradable film in real crops, offering concrete recommendations based on the results obtained during the project. For farmers and cooperatives, this transfer will provide a useful guide for implementing innovative solutions on their farms safely and effectively. The manual and the sessions at events will help reduce uncertainty, optimize resource use, and accelerate the adoption of these technologies. As a result, it will facilitate improved productivity, reduced costs, and access to more sustainable and competitive agricultural practices.