Biodiversity Foundation Project: Biointensive Food Cultivation: An Innovative Agroecological Method for Adapting Family and Community Gardens to Climate Change
- Type Project
- Execution 2021
- Scope Europeo
- Main source of financing Fundación Biodiversidad
- Project website Web proyecto (Fundación Biodiversidad)
The project has contributed to evaluating the effectiveness of the biointensive method of agroecological food production as an innovative solution for small agricultural production units to adapt to climate change. The initiative has enabled 54 gardens in Aragon, the Balearic Islands, Galicia, and Madrid to implement biointensive gardening, demonstrating that this method can be used in the different climatic regions of Spain. Biointensive farming can achieve results similar to conventional agriculture with reduced water and fertilizer consumption and also contributes to soil recovery and protection. Five Agroecological Reference Centers for the biointensive method have been created, which will work to ensure the continuity of the project's activities.
Implementation of the principles of the biointensive method in more than 50 family and community gardens. Preparation of an updated study on climate change adaptation indicators for family and community food production in the study areas, located in Spain's three main climatic regions. For this study, measurements were taken on 62 crops in the participating gardens. Establishment of five leading Biointensive Agroecological Centers as research and demonstration spaces for the biointensive method in La Puebla de Fantova (Aragón), Meaño (Galicia), Sant Llorenç de Balàfia (Ibiza), Soto del Real (Madrid), and Petra (Mallorca).
Furthermore, the project's continuity was ensured, so that these centers could serve as training, research, and experimentation and demonstration sites for the method (cultivation areas, seedbeds, compost, etc.) in the future. A study was conducted of the quality of the compost produced using the biointensive method in the selected gardens and Biointensive Agroecological Centers. A total of 49 samples of compost were taken, i.e., a product obtained from different organic materials and subsequently used as fertilizer. A study was conducted of changes in basic fertility parameters and physical characteristics of soils in biointensive gardens relevant to soil resilience to climate change. To this end, a final soil analysis was conducted in 54 plots after two to four growing cycles.
Training of eight local Friends of the Earth technicians to implement the biointensive method and to monitor the project's territorial scope in Madrid, Aragon, Galicia, Mallorca, and Ibiza. Training workshops on establishing and managing family and community gardens using the biointensive cultivation method were delivered to 159 producers, 57 of whom also received expert support to implement the acquired knowledge in their gardens. Dissemination of the activities carried out and the impact and results of the project were achieved through news posts on the organization's website and other content on its social media, press releases, and other media.
Spanish soils are at high risk from climate change, particularly due to their severe lack of organic carbon, which is diminishing their natural fertility. The National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change (PNACC) includes among its lines of action "the evaluation of agricultural practices oriented toward soil conservation by increasing organic carbon content and improving soil fertility." Biointensive agroecology has adapted to agroclimatic conditions around the world (specifically, it has already reached more than 140 countries) and has demonstrated its positive impact on indicators such as water consumption, fertilizers, soil fertility, and yields in small food production units. Its high capacity for soil regeneration is extremely important.
This project has implemented this innovative method with producers in the three main Spanish climatic regions (Atlantic, continental, and Mediterranean), allowing for the evaluation of its effectiveness in adapting to climate change, with particular attention to soil resilience.
The overall objective of the project was to demonstrate the effectiveness of the biointensive agroecological food production method as an innovative solution for small-scale farmers to adapt to climate change. The specific objectives were as follows: To implement the biointensive agroecological food production method with 54 producers from four autonomous communities: the Community of Madrid, Galicia, Aragon, and the Balearic Islands. To analyze the impact of the biointensive method on climate change adaptation parameters, particularly improving the quality and resilience of soil in small-scale gardens in these four autonomous communities. To disseminate the results achieved and contribute to the continued implementation of the biointensive method in Spain beyond this project.
Biointensive farming is an agroecological method focused on personal consumption and small-scale marketing. According to the organization, while respecting nature, it achieves higher yields than conventional agriculture in a very small space, with reduced water consumption and almost no dependence on any external input. Furthermore, along with in-depth soil preparation, the use of organic amendments tailored to the deficiencies of each garden, and careful crop selection and rotation and combination practices, biointensive agroecology helps restore soil structure and nutrient content. For this reason, they point out that it would be a key ally in the fight against desertification and resource depletion, including soil, as well as a tool to combat climate change. With this project, Friends of the Earth has enabled 54 producers in Aragon, the Balearic Islands, Galicia, and Madrid to implement biointensive gardens through the various support programs provided. This experience has demonstrated, according to the organization, that biointensive farming adapts well to the three main Spanish climatic regions. Likewise, this is only a first effort that lays the foundation for a broader expansion of this farming method throughout Spain, as a useful tool for adapting to climate change and for soil recovery and protection. On average, all the gardens achieved positive yields, along with improved soils and a trend toward reducing the need for fertilizers and water. Furthermore, the diversity of crops planted in the study gardens is very high (79 different crops), and the incorporation of crops intended to produce biomass and carbon that nourishes the soil was also significant (25 different crops, representing 44.2% of the planted area). Similarly, within the framework of this initiative, five Agroecological Centers of Reference in the biointensive method have been created, which will work to ensure the continuity of the project's actions. Finally, the organization also highlights the positive response from farmers to this type of crop, which is not traditionally part of Spanish gardening, which represents a major step toward achieving truly sustainable and self-sufficient gardens.
- Amigos de la Tierra España
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